2012 Red Book

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

WHAT’S NEW IN 2012?

• Automatic Adjustments Effective January 1, 2012

CONTACTING US

• How to Reach Social Security
• Request copies of the Red Book or other SSA Publications

HOW DO WE DEFINE DISABILITY?

• Our Definition of Disability
• What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
• How Do We Evaluate Your Work Activity fot SGA Purposes?
• What If You Are Self-employed?

OVERVIEW OF OUR DISABILITY PROGRAMS

• Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)
• When You Receive Both SSDI and SSI
• Comparison of the SSDI and SSI Disability Programs

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

SSDI AND SSI EMPLOYMENTS SUPPORTS

• Subsidy and Special Conditions
• Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA)
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
• Examples of Deductible and Non-Deductible IRWE
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
• Who Can Help You Set Up a PASS?
• Examples of a PASS
• Ticket to Work
• Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program or Similar Program (Section 301)
• Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)

SSDI ONLY EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

• Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employment)
• Continuation of Medicare Coverage
• Medicare for Persons with Disabilities Who Work
• SSDI at a Glance - What Happens When You Go to Work

SSI ONLY EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

• Earned Income Exclusion
• Examples of the Earned Income Exclusion
• Student Earned Income Exclusion
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
• Property Essential to Self-Support (PESS)
• Special SSI Payments for Persons Who Work - Section 1619(a)
• Reinstating SSI Eligibility Without a New Application
• Special Benefits for Persons Eligible under 1619 Who Enter a Medical Facility
• Medicaid While Working – Section 1619(b
• 2012 State Threshold Amounts for Persons with Disabilities
• 2012 States with Separate Threshold Amounts for Blind Persons

SPECIAL RULES PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND

• How SGA is Applied under SSDI to Persons Who Are Blind
• Blind Work Expenses (BWE)
• Comparison of Monthly SSI Payment With BWE Versus IRWE
• Accommodations for Persons Who Are Blind or Visually-Impaired

ADDITIONAL HELP WITH HEALTH CARE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

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

EXAMPLE OF CONCURRENT BENEFITS WITH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

• Summary of Example with Concurrent Benefits

DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS UPDATE

• Accelerated Benefits
• Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND)
• Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD)
• Current Events

GLOSSARY

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