Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Program

The Goal of the Protection and Advocacy Program for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS/ P&A)

• Assist beneficiaries with disabilities in obtaining information and advice about receiving vocational rehabilitation and employment services.
• Provide advocacy or other related services that beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain, or maintain gainful employment.

P&A Services are FREE, but it should be noted that they cannot take every case.

• To find a P&A near you, please visit the Service Provider Directory

Too often, individuals with disabilities are:

• abused or neglected by caregivers;
• denied appropriate medical, habilitation, or psychiatric treatment;
• denied free and appropriate public educational services;
• denied physical access to public places and governmental services;
• discriminated against when trying to obtain employment or housing;
• denied the ability to make their own decisions and be a fully participating member of their community;
• denied the assistive technology services or devices they need to be more independent;
• had private information released to others without their consent; and
• denied the right to make their own choices as they prepare for employment through Vocational Rehabilitation or Ticket To Work training programs.

Background
The Social Security Administration (SSA), has been authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 to award 57 Work Incentives Assistance Program grants to the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system in every State and U.S. Territory. In addition to the 50 states and territories–currently there is also a federally mandated Native American P&A. The P&A network is the nation’s largest provider of legally based advocacy services for individuals with disabilities.  SSA`s P&A Program, known as Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), was created to serve Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries who want to work.

Training of the P&A Agencies on Social Security Work Incentives and Employment Law
SSA has entered into a contract with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) -formerly National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems- to provide technical assistance on administrative, systems, and management issues. NDRN is also responsible for providing mandatory Work Incentive Training to PABSS staff.

Contacting Social Security with Questions About the P&A Program
If you have questions about how to contactthe P&A Program, you can call, e-mail, write, or fax the NDRN at:

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
900 Second Street NE, Suite 211
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202)-408-9514
Fax : (202)-408-9520
TTY: (202)- 408-9521
mailto:info@ndrn.org