Busting the Myths
About Disability
Benefits and Work
Presented by Gene Rada and Paula Fitch
The Work Incentives Network
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Why work?
• Benefits programs are only meant to provide for the
basic necessities of living: food, shelter and medical care
• Receiving public benefits only often means poverty
o SSI check ($733/2015) is 25% below the federal poverty level
o Average SSDI check ($1165/2015) is only 18% above federal
poverty level
• Employment is a way out of poverty and allows people
to THRIVE not just SURVIVE
• Other benefits to employment
o Social connection
o Sense of purpose
o Better mental and physical health
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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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!
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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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
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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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)
• SGA is a consideration, but only sometimes
•
SGA is $1090 per month for 2015
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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SGA Countable Income
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
• Income counted when it is EARNED
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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THE BASICS:
SSI AND MEDICAID
• 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
$733individual/2015);
Check amount-maximum $733 (individual/2015), lower if
other income
• SSI – Health Insurance:
•
Medicaid (OHP+)
• SGA is NOT a factor AFTER SSI eligibility is
obtained
• Income is counted when received
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 MYTHS AND THE
REAL FACTS
Myth #1: Benefit Program Rules Determine
How Much I can Earn
FACT #1: Combining Several Work
Incentives can Support you in Reaching
your Work and Financial Goals!
o
o
What are the beneficiaries life goals? Financial
goals?
Determine your work goal (type, amount, wage)
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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:
o Trial Work Period
o Extended Period of Eligibility
o Impairment Related Work Expenses, Subsidy,
Unsuccessful Work Attempts
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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!
o Extended Period of Medicare Coverage
o Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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
o Basic deductions: General Income Exclusion,
Earned Income Exclusion, One-Half Disregard
o Additional deductions: Student Earned Income
Exclusion, Impairment Related Work Expenses,
Blind Work Expenses
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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!
o 1619b- earn at least $33,098/year (2015) and
keep Medicaid
o Employed Persons with Disabilities- earn at least
$59,870/year and keep Medicaid (2015 Estimate)
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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
o Plan for Achieving Self Support
• www.passonline.org
o Individual Development Account
• www.oregonidainitiative.org/
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 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
o Report regularly;
o Get a receipt from SSA to document you
reported; and
o Create a folder to save paystubs and SSA letters
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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8 MYTHS AND THE
REAL FACTS
Myth #8: The SGA dollar amount limits the
amount I can work
FACT #8: Many work incentives exists to
enable an individual to earn far more than
the SGA dollar amount
o 1619a eliminates SGA as a consideration for SSI
beneficiaries
o TWP, IRWES, Subsidies, Sick Pay, Vacation Pay all
act as “deductions” and reduce the countable
income of SSDI beneficiaries
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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Benefits Planning
Programs in Oregon
• The Work Incentives Network
o To Refer:
• Referrals typically happen through local VR branch
• Self referrals are OK, but must be a participant of VR services
o Questions about program:
• Paula Fitch at paula.fitch@state.or.us/503-947-5469
• Gene Rada at eugene.e.rada@state.or.us/503-945-6264
• Plan for Work (Disability Rights Oregon)
o To Refer:
• Call 1-800-452-1694, x227 or 1-503-243-2081, x227
• Email: pfw@DROregon.org
o Questions about program:
• Arlene Jones: ajones@DROregon.org
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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Other Resources
• The Redbook
o http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html
• Legal Aid Services of Oregon
o www.lawhelp.org
o Public Benefits Hotline: 800-520-5292
• Plan to Achieve Self Support
o http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-plans-self-support.htm
o PASS Cadre (Northwest): 866-235-8109
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Program
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