Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

This page provides general information on the Plan to Achieve Self-Support or PASS. For more information, please go to the bottom of this page for more links about PASS.

What is a PASS?

• It is an SSI provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work.

How does a PASS help someone return to work?

• SSI eligibility and payment amount are based on income and resources (things of value that individual owns).
• PASS lets disabled individual set aside money and/or things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal.

How does PASS work?

• Applicant finds out what training, items or services needed to reach work goal.
• Can include supplies to start business, school expenses, equipment and tools, transportation and uniform requests.
• Applicant finds out how much these items and services will cost.
• PASS can help person save to pay these costs. PASS lets person set aside money for installment payments as well as a down payment for things like a vehicle, wheelchair or computer if needed to reach work goal.

How do you set up a PASS?

• Decide on work goal and determining items and services necessary to achieve.
• Can get help in setting up plan from a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor; an organization that helps people with disabilities; Benefits Specialists or Protection and Advocacy organizations who have contracts with SSA; Employment Networks involved in the Ticket to Work program; the local Social Security office or anyone else willing to help him or her.
• Contact local SSA office; SSA work site or some third parties shown above to get a PASS form (SSA-545-BK) to complete.
• Bring or mail it to the Social Security office.
• SSA usually approves plans prepared by VR
• If goal is self-employment, there must also be a business plan

What happens to the PASS?

• SSA sends PASS to SSA employees who are trained to work with PASS.
• PASS expert works directly with the applicant. PASS expert looks over the plan to see if work goal is reasonable
• SSA reviews plan to make sure that items and services listed on PASS needed to achieve the work goal and reasonably priced.
• If changes needed, the PASS expert discusses with the applicant.
• If PASS not approved, can appeal the decision.
  

Links About PASS

• Elements of the PASS


• SSA Form 545 (PDF Format )


• PASS Cadres Location & Contact Information


• Video of PASS Success Stories (external site)

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