Social Security

1. Social Security • Social Security Administrates many different benefits…….. • Know what benefit you are on… It makes a difference!

2. SSDI Title IISocial Security Disability Insurance • Earned through service credits • No income or resource limits • Same disability definition as SSI • Eligible dependents and spouse (may) receive benefits known as Survivors Benefits • Family shares benefit • Ends when the student turns 18 or finishes high school, unless the student was disabled before age 22

3. What is SSI ? Supplemental Security Income

4. SSI - Title XVISupplemental Security Income Needs Based Resource Limit $2000 SSA defined Disability Any age to apply US citizen/ meet requirements to work Resource Deeming

5. Why are we talking about SSI? • There are 2 basic DISABILITY benefits. • While working, SSI benefits change every month to adjust to your wages. • Easy to get “over payments”, easy to plan for them….(SSI Calculation Sheet)

6. Supplemental Security Income • Money that the Social Security Administration gives to a person: • who has a disability • very little income and • has less than $2000 in resources

7. SSI money must pay for your basic living expenses. • Rent • Utilities • Food

8. How much SSI can I receive? • $845 a month is the maximum Federal amount (2010) if living at home • $1086 if living in a board and care setting • Some people get less if they are receiving “help” for food, rent and utility bills…or • If they have other income (like a job) • Or if their living conditions are “different” • Some states,like California, add the state supplement to the federal benefit

9. How do I qualify for SSI • Be a U.S. citizen or meet special requirements • Have a disability that seriously limits your ability to do work and limits your activities

10. How do I get SSI? • Make an appointment • Gather data • Social Security card • Birth certificate • Places you’ve worked • Pay stubs or tax returns • Records from doctors • Names of schools and addresses • Any test results

11. More things to bring…. • Any bank accounts, and other things like, savings bonds • Proof of any other benefits you receive (TANF,HUD or Food Stamps)

12. How will working affect my SSI? • You will ALWAYS make more money while working,when receiving SSI

13. If under 18 and receiving benefits… • You may be receiving parental deeming • Redetermination at the age of 18 • You may qualify for a STUDENT EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION (hint: now is a great time to try working,so you can use the SEIE)

14. If you are 18 and NOT receiving benefits… • You may apply for SSI under the adult criteria • Parental deeming does not affect you • (hint) Now may be the time to PAY parents your “fair share” of living expenses to qualify for a higher benefit. SSA form # 8006-F-4

15. Under 18 and receiving SSI while working…SEIE is available until 22 • Student Earned Income Exclusion allows students regularly attending school to earn $1510 per month without affecting their benefits up to a limit of $6,100 annually. • A person is considered regularly attending school if they attend classes • College for at least 8 hours a week • Grades 7-12 at least 12 hours a week • Training course to prepare for employment 12 hours a week,15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice.

16. How to apply for SEIEStudent Earned Income Exclusion • Letter from school stating attendance…dates and times • Appointment with your claims representative • Be sure to send in MONTHLY pay stubs! • Make sure your name and Social Security number are included with your pay stub.

17. What do you need to do when you start working? • Report wages MONTHLY to SSA • Report any changes to SSA, • Change of address, • If you stop working, • Change in wages… • Plan for the reduction of your SSI check (SSI Calculation Sheet)

18. Work Outcomes with SSI

19. Working while receiving SSI • You always get more money by working when you receive SSI • You MUST report your wages to SSA monthly • Working while you are in school gives you a special program just for students (SEIE) • You can keep Medi-Cal (free) until you are earning a decent salary

20. Incentives make going to work easier • Impairment – Related Work Expenses • Enables you to work • Reasonable expense • Not paid or reimbursed by any other source • Paid in the month that you are working (hint: a job coach could qualify)

21. Continuation of Medi-Cal Eligibility 1619 b • Medi-Cal coverage can continue if your earnings alone or in combination with your other income becomes too high for an SSI cash payment. • You need to meet all the eligibility rules,still be disabled, and need Medic-Cal to work. • Considered to be “automatic” it is always safe to call and remind SSA of your 1619b status. • Annual earnings do not exceed approx. $40,000

22. Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) • Allows the SSI beneficiary to set aside non-SSI income to achieve a specific work goal or an educational goal which leads to work in order to become more self-sufficient • The money set aside in the plan is not counted as monthly income or resources • PASS Cadres approve and oversee PASS Plans

23. Plan to Achieve Self-Support A plan to achieve self support allows you to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a goal. It must be: • Designed especially for you in writing • Have a specific work goal that you are capable of performing • Have a specific timeframe • Show what money you will use to reach your goal • Show how you will keep your money identifiable from other funds • Be approved by SSA (PASS Cadre) • Be reviewed by SSA periodically to assure your plan is helping you achieve progress • You have to pay the money back IF you do not finish the PASS as planned.

24. Important Reminders for Anyone on Benefits • Report wages/income and resources monthly • Report any changes in living situation or employment status • Keep good records and keep copies of everything you give to SSA • Be prepared for periodic reviews

25. How will working affect my SSI? You will ALWAYS make more money while working,when receiving SSI