OREGONS WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK (WIN) When you work, you WIN! This presentation is sponsored by The Oregon Competitive Employment

OREGON’S WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK

(WIN)When you work, you WIN!

http://www.win-oregon.com

This presentation is sponsored by The Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA #93.768). Updated April 2010

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Competitive Employment ProjectMission Statement

To enhance the quality of life in Oregon by achieving, maintaining and advancing the competitive and

inclusive employment of persons with disabilities.


Oregon’s Work Incentive Network (WIN)

WIN is a benefits and work incentives planning service that helps people with disabilities:

1. MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS about work and their benefits;

2. USE WORK INCENTIVES to achieve their employment goals; and

3. NAVIGATE THE BENEFITS SYSTEMS when they begin working.


WIN: An Essential Employment Support

A “one stop” source of information and assistance.

Reduce fear and misunderstanding about the effect of working on benefits.

Prevents crises that result when change occurs.

Improves employment and economic outcomes through:- Increased employment rates;- Increased earnings; and- Decreased medical expenses.


THE WIN MODEL: A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

1. Interested in working, but no job goal: General information and referral.

2. Identified a job goal, but not working yet: Comprehensive Intake and Work Incentive Analysis.

3. Secured job: Implementing work incentive and reporting earned

income.

4. Life changes: Ongoing support with using work incentive and/or wage

reporting assistance.


THE WIN MODEL: A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATORS PROVIDE: General work incentive information and community

service/vocational referrals; A Comprehensive Intake when needed; In-depth benefits and work incentive planning assistance,

including a written Work Incentives plan; Assistance strategizing the use of various work incentives; Assistance utilizing work incentives; and Ongoing support to those working and utilizing work incentives.


IT TAKES A TEAM TO REMOVE THIS BARRIER

You can’t do your job AND be a Work Incentive Expert..…..

BUT YOU CAN: 1. Let people know there are WORK INCENTIVES that support their employment efforts;

2. Recognize MYTHS and communicate FACTS; and

3. Encourage people to connect to WIN for more individualized analysis.


ACCESSING WIN SERVICES If you know someone who could use WIN services:

Fill out and fax the WIN Referral Form; or Give the person a WIN brochure so he/she can call and request

services; or You can call and request services on behalf of the person.

Meet the Work Incentive Coordinators in your area: Contact the WIN staff in your area to do onsite informational

sessions for your company/agency. Contact info for WIN staff can be found at the end of this

presentation.


SOME BASIC TERMS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW SSA: Social Security Administration

SSI: Supplemental Security Income

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance

WORK INCENTIVES: Both federal and state-specific programs that are available to people with disabilities, even those not on SSI or SSDI in return to work efforts.

HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development


THE BASICS: SSDI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

SSDI – Cash Benefit: Be disabled by SSA definition: and Be “insured” or draw off “insured” worker who is

disabled, retired, deceased. Amount varies based on work history. No asset test.

SSDI – Health Care: Medicare (after 24 month waiting period).


THE BASICS: SSI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

SSI - Cash Disabled by SSA definition; Little to no assets; under $2,000 for an individual,

$3000 for a couple; Little to no income; and Benefit Amount for 2012 is $698, $1,048 for a couple,

reduced by other income. SSI – Health Care

Medicaid.


9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS

Myth #1: I will lose my SSDI if I go to work

FACT #1: Work Incentives let you keep SSDI cash check or status when

you work!Trial Work Period (time limited) Impairment Related Work ExpensesSubsidy/Unincurred Business Expense


Myth #2: If wages cause SSDI cash benefit to stop, there’s no way to get it back

FACT #2: You can stay in eligibility status even when you don’t get a cash check!

Extended Period of EligibilityExpedited Reinstatement




Myth #3: I will lose my SSI if I go to work

FACT #3: Work Incentives let you keep SSI cash check or status when you work!

Basic Deductions: SSI reduced $1 for every $2 after first $65/$85

Additional Deductions let you keep more: IRWE, BWE, SEIE, PASS



Myth #4: If wages cause SSI cash benefit to stop, there’s no way to get it back

FACT #4: You can stay in eligibility status even when you don’t get a cash check!

1619(b)Expedited Reinstatement


9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTSMyth #5: If I go back to work I will lose my medical

Fact #5: You can keep medical when you work!

SSI/Medicaid--1619(b) Employed Persons with Disabilities Program (EPD): Oregon’s

Medicaid Buy-In program Continuation of Medicare Medicare for People With Disabilities Who Work


Myth #6: There is no incentive for students to try working

Fact #6: Students have a special rule that lets them keep more of their SSI when they work!

Student Earned Income Exclusion



9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTSMyth #7: There aren’t any resources to help me reach

self-sufficiency

Fact #7: There ARE work incentives that will match funds you set aside to pay for expenses related to a vocational goal!

Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Individual Development Accounts (IDA)


9 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTSMyth #8: If I work my rent will go up

Fact #8: HUD has work incentives, too!

HUD’s Earned Income Disregard Family Self-Sufficiency Program



Myth #9: Working always results in overpayments

Fact #9: There are strategies to prevent overpayments!

Report regularly Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported Get assistance from WIN for help developing a

strategy and reporting earned income


ADDITIONAL PARTS OF THE WIN MODEL

A Training and Technical Assistance (T/A) Center that provides training, certification and assistance to WICs and I&Rs;

Ongoing outreach and informational training for service providers, agency staff, community partners and other stakeholders; and

An integrated outcomes research program.


WORKING WITH PLANNING FOR WORK PROGRAM

WIN and Disability Rights Oregon’s Planning for Work project work together to provide quality

supports and services to people with disabilities who want assistance with benefits

and work incentives planning.


AND WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING?

IT’S A “KANJI”A Kanji is a Japanese Symbol.

Kanjis have become very popular in the United States, especially with youth and young adults.

The WIN kanji means FLOURISH.

SO LET’S FLOURISH WITH WIN…Remember- When you work, you WIN!


YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties:

Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah, Sherman,

Tillamook, Washington, Wasco

INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCES (ILR)1839 NE Couch St.

Portland, Oregon 97232 (503) 232-7411 (voice) (503) 232-8408 (TTY)(503) 232-7480 (fax)

JAIME HEAD and JOSH GOLLERWORK INCENTIVES COORDINATORS

[email protected] [email protected]


YOUR OREGON WIN STAFFServing the Following Counties:

Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill,

LANE INDEPENDENT LIVING ALLIANCE, INC.

(LILA)

P.O. Box 13758 99 W. 10 th Avenue, Suite 117 Salem, OR 97309 Eugene, Oregon 97401

WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATORS

CHRISTIE RIEHL EMMA LEVERT (503)798-1971 (voice) (541) 607-7020 (voice) [email protected] (541) 345-3212 (TTY) (541) 345-7021 (fax) LYNELLE WILCOX [email protected] (503) 983-4711 (voice)[email protected]



Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson

ABILITREE20436 Clay Pigeon Court

Bend, Oregon 97702

(541) 388-8103 (voice/TTY)

(541) 388-1226 (fax)

LEONARD PEACHWORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

[email protected]


YOUR OREGON WIN STAFF Serving the Following Counties:Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla,

Union Wallowa, Wheeler

EASTERN OREGON CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (EOCIL)

1021 SW 5TH Avenue 322 SW 3rd, Suite 6

Ontario, Oregon 97914 Pendleton, Oregon 97801

(541) 889-3119 (voice/TTY) (541) 276-037 (voice and fax)

(541) 889-4647 (fax) or

JENNIFER BONNELL WORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

[email protected]


YOUR OREGON WIN STAFFServing the Following Counties:

Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Coos, Douglas

INDEPENDENT ABILITIES CENTER(HASL)

305 NE E StreetGrants Pass, Oregon 97526

(541) 479-4275 (voice)(541) 479-7261 (fax)

NELSON FERGUSON and DENYS HARTFIELD

WORK INCENTIVES [email protected] [email protected]



Klamath, Lake

SPOKES UNLIMITED1006 Main Street

Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601 (541) 883-7547 (voice)

(541) 885-2469 (Fax)

JENNNIFER KASPERWORK INCENTIVES COORDINATOR

[email protected]


QUESTIONS?CALL THE WIN STAFF IN YOUR AREA!

Or for more information about WIN:http://www.win-oregon.com

For more information on Disability Rights Oregon Planning for Work:http://www.disabilityrightsoregon.org/programs.php

For more information on the Competitive Employment Project: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/cep

Documents

OREGONS WORK INCENTIVES NETWORK (WIN) When you work, you WIN! This presentation is sponsored by The Oregon Competitive Employment