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Developing Written Benefits Analysis Summaries VCU YTD Technical Assistance Office

Developing Written Benefits Analysis Summaries VCU YTD Technical Assistance Office October 17, 2005. What is Benefits Analysis?. An intensive benefits counseling service that entails : gathering benefit and other information specific to a YTD participant

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Developing Written Benefits Analysis Summaries VCU YTD Technical Assistance Office

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  1. Developing Written Benefits Analysis Summaries VCU YTD Technical Assistance Office October 17, 2005

  2. What is Benefits Analysis? An intensive benefits counseling service that entails : • gathering benefit and other information specific to a YTD participant • analyzing the various options or paths available • providing advise regarding the impact of these options

  3. Benefits Analysis Summary… is the written report which documents the information gathered, analysis results, and advice provided to the individual. The centerpiece of the summary is individualized, case-specific information and advice on current benefits status, the effect of earnings on benefits, and the use of relevant work incentives.

  4. Why have a written analysis? To document: • What the beneficiary told you • What you told the beneficiary • What you uncovered through verification • What changes will affect benefits • What the beneficiary must do to report changes

  5. Analysis serves to… • Take a snapshot of current situation • Help build understanding of benefits issues • Provide a resource for beneficiaries, their families, and the support team • Keep the communication clean and clear

  6. When is it Necessary to Develop a Written Benefits Analysis Report?

  7. Information and Referral Services • Providing general information on all Federal, State, and Local benefit programs. • Initial and continuing eligibility • Impact of employment & other changes • Work incentive provisions

  8. Information & Referral • Can you tell me what the current SGA amount is? • How does a PASS work? • What is this ticket & will I get in trouble if I don’t use it? • I have a disability and would like to work. Do you know of anyone who can help me?

  9. Problem Solving • Answer questions specific to the beneficiary/recipient, but relevant to only a small piece of their situation. • Gather, verify and analyze information to solve the particular issue at hand. • Advise on options, but not a complete analysis.

  10. Problem Solving • I didn’t get my SSI check. Can you help me figure out why? • I reported my earnings, but my check wasn’t adjusted. • I’ve just found out that my benefits are going to stop.. . Can you help me with Section 301?

  11. Benefits Analysis & Advisement • Research and provide verification of complete benefits picture. • Inform beneficiary of options/outcomes. • Provide advise to support informed choice.

  12. Benefits Analysis & Advisement Jill is 20 and has never worked. She is considering work when she leaves school next year and wants to understand what would happen to her benefits.

  13. As a General Rule… …a written benefits analysis report is needed whenever individualized, case specific benefit information and advice is given This means anything beyond basic information and referral services!

  14. When to write the analysis… • As a base point, when the youth enters the project • After major life changes, such as • change in employment status • residence change • graduation • Marriage • Within a year of reaching the 17th Birthday

  15. When to Write the Analysis • Within a year of reaching the 17th Birthday For SSI Beneficiaries: • Age 18 Redetermination Process • Parental Deeming Stops at 18 • Inkind Support & Maintenance Starts at 18 • Potential Changes in unearned income • Access to new resources • Continued Access to Medicaid • Work and Work Incentives • Marriage – Couple FBR

  16. When to Write the Analysis • Within a year of reaching the 17th Birthday For Title II Beneficiaries: • Potential loss of Child’s Benefit • Potential eligibility for Childhood Disability Benefit • Special Medicaid Beneficiary Status for CDBs • Impact of Marriage on CDB • Work and SSDI eligibility on own record • Title II disability work incentives (TWP, EPE) • Other Work Incentives – IRWE, PASS

  17. When to Write the Analysis • Within a year of reaching the 17th Birthday • Not Previously Eligible for Disability Benefits • Representative Payee-ship • Post-Secondary education • Asset Development

  18. When to Write the Analysis • As a periodic update when other changes have been gradual • When the person leaves the project

  19. What Should a Written Benefits Analysis Report Look Like???

  20. Suggested format • Introduction • Current benefits • Priorities and intentions • Impact of work • Outstanding issues • Reminders • Disclaimer

  21. I. Introduction • Person’s status in project • Purpose of analysis • Where you gathered information

  22. Introduction example Dear Sam, This is a letter for you to use for your records. It gives information about your benefits, and how work will affect them. We met on October 5th…

  23. II. Current benefits • Types and amounts of benefits received • Can be chart, list or paragraph

  24. Current benefits example According to the Social Security Administration, you receive SSI in the amount of $579.00. You also have Medicaid…

  25. III. Priorities and Intentions This section should outline: • What the youth plans to do and • What benefits are most essential in the youth’s life

  26. Priorities example You told me that you plan to take a part-time job as soon as you find one. You also said that you were very concerned about losing your Medicaid.

  27. IV. Impact of Work • Impact of employment goal and earnings on various benefits received • Outline applicable work incentives • Use examples specific to the individual • Refer to supplemental material rather than rewriting existing basic material • Remember the waivers!

  28. Impact example If you go to work next month and bring home $425.00 in gross wages, you will receive less money in your SSI. Your SSI check will be $$$ beginning in December 2005… If you decide to accept a full time job and your earnings increase to $$$, you will no longer receive an SSI check each month… But your Medicaid will continue…

  29. Impact example SSI is a benefit that is reduced when you receive other income. Not all of your wages will affect your SSI, however. In fact, because you are in the Youth Transition Demonstration…

  30. Impact of YTD Waivers Example SSA will look at how much money you make in a different way. You can make $65 per month without a change in your SSI benefit. For every $4 you earn over $65 per month, SSA will reduce your benefits by $1. This is different than what they usually do. This allows you to make more money without it reducing your benefit.

  31. Impact of YTD Waivers Example While you are in the Project, you can have a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) that has going to school after high school as a goal. You can have a PASS that says you want to look at different types of work. This is different than what is usually allowed with a PASS.

  32. Impact of YTD Waivers Example While you are in the Project, you may be reviewed by SSA. This is true even if you are not in the Project. SSA may find during this review that you are not eligible to continue getting benefits. If that happens, you will still get your benefits as long you don’t earn so much money that your benefits will stop.

  33. V. Outstanding issues • Some issues take a while to resolve. If something is pending, simply write it into the summary, rather than waiting forever for it to be corrected.

  34. Outstanding issues example When we first met, we discussed the possibility of your applying for Food Stamps. As you know, we completed the application on September 5th. The Food Stamp office said they would notify you by…

  35. VI. Reminders Bulleted list that: • Gives phone numbers for contact • Lets person know when to report changes • Let’s person know what you are doing next, and that you are available • Reminds person of important dates, actions

  36. Reminder example • You need to let me know as soon as you start your new job • You need to contact me when you are ready to set your earnings aside in your Individual Development Account • You may reach the Food Stamp office at 555-666-7777….

  37. VII. Disclaimer • Limits your liability for information contained in summary • Indicates who has final authority for benefit determinations

  38. Disclaimer example The accuracy of the information provided above depends upon …. • Accuracy and completeness of info you provided about past and current benefits • Accuracy and completeness of info you provided about other relevant factors (earnings, resources…) • Current laws and regulations on effect of work… • Current SSA policies and procedures Re work incentives

  39. Benefits Analysis Summary Pointers Organization Tips: • Start with on outline • Think and write sequentially • Group related concepts together • Use bolded headings or boxes, bullets…

  40. Benefits Analysis Summary Pointers Tips on What to Include: • Only info on benefits, impact of earnings, and use of work incentives! • Limit to benefits that are relevant & current • Specific solutions or options for resolving problems • Include / Attach calculation sheets, charts, calendars lists… • Attach SSA Spotlights, pamphlets…

  41. Benefits Analysis Summary Pointers Writing Tips: • Individualized and Directed to YTD participant • Brief, but complete – not overwhelming! • Accessible in language and format • be organized • Simple, understandable language - avoid acronyms • limit sentences to one or two concepts • Use templates cautiously!

  42. Benefits Analysis Summary Pointers The summary is for documentation, but it can be a great learning tool as well… Use time with the participant to review and make sure they get the most out of the information you provide!

  43. Case Records • Intake sheet with contact information • Case notes • Copies of any release of information forms used to access benefits information from SSA or other agencies • Copies of BPQYs, statements of benefits

  44. More on Case Records • Copies of any written Benefits Analyses, summaries of advisement • Copies of correspondence to or from other agencies • Copies of any work incentive information

  45. The Benefits Analysis Process First Steps… • Provide explanation of YTD services • Obtain informed consent to gather data • Gather benefits and contact information • Ascertain problem & info needed to resolve • Get release forms signed and submit

  46. Benefits Analysis Next Steps… • Gather Information -- Verify all relevant benefits • Research and analyze issues • Meeting/counseling on presenting and related issues • Written Benefits Analysis

  47. Gathering Beneficiary Information • Contact information and personal demographics • Presenting problem, issue, question, or need • Future outlook – employment goals • Benefits received and amounts • Health insurance received and future needs • Monthly income and resources

  48. Gathering Beneficiary Information • Employment information – past and current • Past use of work incentives and current work incentives status • Indicators of potential work incentives (IRWEs, PASS, BWE, Ticket to Work) • Other agency involvement • Disability information

  49. Information Gathering • Assess the presenting problem, need or question • Determine what information is needed to resolve the problem or meet the need • Do not gather information that is not necessary or relevant!

  50. Guidelines for Gathering Disability Information • Only ask if it meets the “compelling needs” test • Limit to disability “benefits assistance” related information • Provide for private setting • Ensure Beneficiary’s understanding • Why info is needed • How it will be used • Their choice

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