2008 Red Book

A SUMMARY GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

WHAT’S NEW IN 2008?

• Automatic Adjustments Effective January 1, 2008
• Demonstration Projects Update
• Current Events

HOW TO REACH SOCIAL SECURITY

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

• Area Work Incentives Coordinator (AWIC)
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Cadre
• Benefits Planning Query (BPQY)

RETURN TO WORK PLANNING & ASSISTANCE

• Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Organizations (WIPA)
• Work Incentives Seminar (WISE) Events
• State Vocational Rehabilitation Providers
• Protection and Advocacy
• Disability Program Navigators
• EARNWorks Job Seeker Network

OVERVIEW OF OUR DISABILITY PROGRAMS

• Social Security Disability Insurance Program
• Supplemental Security Income Program
• Concurrent Entitlement
• Comparison of the SSDI and SSI Disability Programs
• How Do We Define Disability?
• What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
• How do we evaluate your work activity for SGA purposes?
• What if you are Self-Employed?

RETURNING TO WORK

• What Are Your Responsibilities When You Return to Work?
• When Will We Review Your Disability?
• When Will Your Benefits Stop?

HOW DO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS HELP?

• SSDI Employment Supports
• SSI Employment Supports

GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

• Ticket to Work
• Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA)
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
• Examples of Deductible and Non-Deductible IRWE
• Subsidy and Special Conditions
• Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employment Only)
• Earned Income Exclusion
• Student Earned Income Exclusion
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
• Property Essential to Self-Support (PESS)
• Special SSI Payments for Individuals Who Work — Section 1619(a)
• Reinstating SSI Eligibility Without a New Application
• Special Benefits for Individuals Eligible under Section 1619 Who Enter a Medical Treatment Facility
• Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program or Similar Program (Section 301)
• Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)
• Continuation of Medicare Coverage
• Medicaid While Working — Section 1619(b)
• State Threshold Amounts
• Medicare for Individuals with Disabilities Who Work

SPECIAL RULES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND

• How SGA is Applied under SSDI to Individuals Who Are Blind
• Blind Work Expenses (BWE)
• Accommodations for Individuals Who Are Blind

ADDITIONAL HELP WITH HEALTH CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

• Medicaid Buy-In for Working Individuals with Disabilities
• Help with Medicare Part A Premiums

EXAMPLE OF CONCURRENT BENEFITS WITH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

ACRONYMS

GLOSSARY

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