Busting Down the Myths about Benefits and Work

1. Busting Down the Myths about Benefits and Work Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

2. Bust the Myths • Combination of public benefits create a basic safety net • Each benefit has it’s own set of work rules • Complexity of the rules create MYTHS! Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 2

3. Know the FACTS • Benefit programs have work rules that support working- Work Incentives • Don’t let the complexity and myths be a barrier to employment • Know and Share the FACTS Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 3

4. THE BASICS: SSDI PAYMENT AND MEDICARE SSDI – Cash Benefit: Meet SSA definition of disability, and Be “insured” or draw off “insured” worker who is disabled, retired, deceased Check amount based on work history No asset test SSDI – Health Insurance: Medicare (after 24 month waiting period) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 4

5. SGA Countable Income Test Summary • The Basic SGA Test • $ Gross Wages (earned in a month) • (-) $ Sick/Vacation/Holiday pay • (-) $ IRWE • (-) $ Subsidy/Special Conditions • (-) $ Unincurred Business Expenses/Unpaid Help • (=) $ Countable Earnings • SSA uses Countable Earnings to determine if earnings are above or below SGA

6. THE BASICS: SSI PAYMENT AND MEDICAID (OHP+) SSI – Cash Benefit: Meet SSA definition of disability; Little to no assets (less than $2,000-individual); Little to no income (countable income less than $721individual/2014); Check amount-maximum $721 (individual/2014), lower if other income SSI – Health Insurance: Medicaid (OHP+) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 6

7. Step 1: Countable Unearned Income $______ Unearned Income (-) $______ General Income Exclusion ($20) (=) $______ Countable Unearned Income Step 2: Countable Earned Income $______ Earned Income (-) $______ Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) (-) $______ General Income Exclusion (if not used) (-) $______ Earned Income Exclusion ($65) (-) $______ Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) (=) $______ Remainder (/) Divide by 2 (-) $______ Blind Work Expense (BWE) (=) $______ Countable Earned Income

8. Step 3: Total Countable Income $______ Countable Unearned Income (Step 1) (+) $______ Countable Earned Income (Step 2) (=) $______ Total Countable Income Step 4: Adjusted SSI Check Amount $______ Federal Benefit Rate ($721/$1,082/480.66) (-) $______ Total Countable Income (Step 3) (=) $______ Adjusted SSI Check Amount Step 5: Total Income $________ Unearned Income (+) $________ Adjusted SSI check (+) $________ Earned Income (=) $________ Total Income

9. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 9 Myth #1: Benefit Program Rules Determine How Much I can Earn FACT #1: Combining Several Work Incentives can Support you in Reaching your Work Goal! • Determine your work goal (type, amount, wage)

10. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #2: I will lose my SSDI if I work FACT #2: Work Incentives exist that allow you to maintain the SSDI check or eligibility status when you work: • Trial Work Period • Extended Period of Eligibility • Impairment Related Work Expenses, Subsidy, Unsuccessful Work Attempts Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 10

11. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #3: I’ll lose my Medicare if I work FACT #3: There are 2 Work Incentives that allow you to maintain Medicare indefinitely! • Extended Period of Medicare Coverage • Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 11

12. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #4: I get SSI and have heard I will have less money when I work FACT #4: Work Incentives exist to make sure you financially get ahead when you work • Basic deductions: General Income Exclusion, Earned Income Exclusion, One-Half Disregard • Additional deductions: Student Earned Income Exclusion, Impairment Related Work Expenses, Blind Work Expenses Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 12

13. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #5: I have to keep a $1 of SSI or I’ll lose my Medicaid (OHP+) FACT #5: If EARNINGS cause SSI to drop to $0, you can KEEP MEDICAID! • 1619b- earn at least $32,725/year (2014) and keep Medicaid • Employed Persons with Disabilities- earn at least $58,500/year and keep Medicaid (2014) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 13

14. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #6: There are not any resources to help me reach my work goal of self-sufficiency FACT #6: There are work incentives that match funds you set aside to pay for work expenses • Plan for Achieving Self Support • Individual Development Account Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 14

15. 7 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #7: If I work I’ll end up with an overpayment FACT #7: There are strategies to prevent overpayments • Report regularly; • Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported; and • Create a folder to save paystubs and SSA letters Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 15

16. Final Questions?? Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Page 16

17. Work Incentives Programs in Oregon • The Work Incentives Network • Paula Fitch: paula.fitch@state.or.us • Gene Rada: eugene.e.rada@state.or.us • Plan for Work (Disability Rights Oregon) • Arlene Jones: ajones@DROregon.org Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services