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Social Security Administration
St. Paul, Minnesota
An SSI Work Incentive
PASS
“What is a PA$$?”A PASS is part of the SSI program.
A PASS is plan to reach a specific job goal.
A PASS is a self-financed employment plan
A PASS is an “agreement” between you and SSA.
HIGHER SSI PAYMENTS
Pass excludes otherincome which normally would reduce SSI. With the exclusion we ask the person to put this money into PASS. Most common income excluded is wages/ SSDI.
PASS is a self financed RETURN TO WORK EFFORT
What is the PASS “agreement?” You agree to try to work to reduce your
dependence on SSA benefits.
SSA agrees to temporarily pay you SSI to live on, while you spend YOUR SSDI (or wages) on the “stuff” you need to go to work.
Who Can Benefit From a PASS? SSI recipients who want to be self-
supporting Voc rehab participants Recipients in school or training program Beneficiaries who are currently working
and want to increase their income Recipients with reduced SSI checks due
to other income
Elements of a PASS
Be in writing (SSA-545) State a JOB goal or VR evaluation Contain a reasonable time frame List expenses that are necessary to
achieve the work goal
A PASS must:
Initial PASS Application
Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
School information: acceptance letter, class schedule, transcript, financial aid
Documentation of PASS expenses.
Initial PASS Application: What We Need
Depending on the type of PASS submitted, job goal and expenses, the following items should be sent with the initial PASS application form:
Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) or letter from
DVR showing you are on their waiting list.
Attending School Admission letter, class schedule, Cost of tuition, books and fees, List for grants, scholarships and loans
TransportationNewspaper or internet advertisement of vehicle
they are proposing to buy.Written estimate for auto insuranceAn estimate of mileage to and from school or work
EquipmentA product summary or advertisement for the
computer system they want to purchaseA product summary for assistive devices
ServicesJob coaching / attendant care (hours and
cost)
Self Employment PASSA detailed business planProduct summaries of goods and services
needed for the business.
Other Benefits while on the PASS
State SupplementsHousing AssistanceFood StampsEnergy Assistance Income and resources set
aside under a PASS are not countable
FUNDING A PASS Funds used to reach occupational goal will not be used to compute SSI checks Can exclude income, for example...
wagesSocial Security benefitspensionsincome from husband, wife or parent
Can exclude resources, for example...savings bondsbank accounts, certificates of depositretroactive benefit payments, settlements
PASS Expenses PASS expenses must be
NecessaryReasonableDirectly related to attaining the job
goalNot incurred prior to start of the PASSCannot be reimbursed by third party
What Kinds of Expenses Can a Plan Help Pay For?
School or training expenses tuition, fees, books & supplies
Supplies to start a business Employment services, such as job coach Attendant care or child care expenses Equipment & tools to do the job Transportation for work Uniforms, special clothing, safety equipment
PASS Milestone
A significant, visible step or event necessary to achieve the occupational goal
Reasons for Denial or Partial Approval of Expenses Incurred prior to PASS Reimbursement expected Not reasonable cost Not necessary to reach goal
The PASS Process Local Social Security Offices
take claims forwards PASS material to PASS specialists
The PASS Cadre helps local offices develop PASSesreviews and authorizes all PASSeswill work with claimants as neededsends notices and makes systems inputs as
needed
The Arithmetic of PASS: Kelly receives SSDI of 520.00. Without PASS :$520.00
- 20.00 Gen’l Excl.
$500.00 Countable Income (CI)
$674.00 SSI FBR
- 500.00 CI
174.00 SSI payment
Total Income w/o PASS = 694.00/mo.
Kelly, with PASS
$520.00 SSDI- 20.00 Gen’l Excl $500.00 UI- $500.00 in PASS 0.00 Cntbl Inc
674.00 SSI FBR- 0.00 Cntbl. Inc.674.00 SSI
payment
Total Inc w/ PASS:674.00 SSI, plus500.00 to spend
on tuition, books, etc.
A Sample PASS - SSI ONLYExample 1 - Wages Being Excluded Billy wants to go to a vocational school to
become a auto mechanic . Billy has wages to exclude. He earns
$685.00 per month. Countable income figured $685- $85 =
$600.00 600/2= $300.00 in countable income.
This would normally reduce his SSI by $300.00 per month
Example 1 (continued)
He agrees to spend the $300.00 in countable income on his education and we approve a PASS.
We set aside this income and his SSI increases by $300/month for the PASS time frame.
A Sample PASS SSDI ONLYExample 2 - SSDI Being Excluded
Maria wants to go to school and become a social worker.
She gets $800.00 in SSDI benefitsThe occupational goal would need to
expect to generate enough income to eliminate SSDI. We could exclude up to $780.00 in SSDI income. This would give PASS applicant the full SSI payment of $674.00/mo.
Example 2 con’t
The applicant is expected to live off the SSI payment and put the PASS funds into the approved expenses.
Occupational Goals: where a PASS begins!
A job that will produce sufficient earnings to:
reduce dependency on SSI eliminate dependency on SSDI
is feasible, considering one’s disability and strengths and abilities
-Types of job goals….
JOB Goal:SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
Reduce dependency through:
Earning more money by working more hours
Earning the same money but with lower out-of- pocket (e.g., fewer hours of job coaching) needed.
Job Goal:
SELF-EMPLOYMENT Background running your own business? Taken the SCORE “Going into Business”
Seminar? Must include business plan that explains:
What is your product or service?Who is your market? How much do you need to “net” in
order to replace your benefits?
Help With Self-Employment
Contact:Small Business Administration
(SBA)SCORE (Affiliated with the SBA)Small Business Development
CentersCommunity collegesJames J. Hill Library- St. Paul
PASS Progress Review Plans are periodically reviewed to
verify individual is “on track” with planned milestones
account for the use of funds○ What are the actual amounts of income and
resources being excluded in figuring SSI checks?
○ Were these funds spent towards attaining the work goal?
PASS Amendment
Amendments to the PASS after it has been approved may include changes in:Amount of income or resources to be set
asidePlanned expensesScheduled date to reach the job goalMOST PASS APPLICATIONS ARE
AMENDED DUE TO UNEXPECTED CHANGES.
Appeals of Our Decisions
Request for reconsideration Request for hearing
Introducing the newPASS/AWIC web sitePASS/AWIC web siteIncludes New ONLINE PASS REFERRAL FORM Contact info for PASS Cadre and AWIC Reference material for
The publicFor SSA employees
And more…
Joani Werner Toll-free # 1-866-667-6032 x10661 Fax # 651-290-3811