busting down the myths about benefits and work office of vocational rehabilitation services

Busting Down the Myths about Benefits and Work

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

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!

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

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 Countable Income Test 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

THE BASICS: SSI PAYMENT AND MEDICAID (OHP+)

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

$721individual/2014); Check amount-maximum $721 (individual/2014), lower if

other income SSI – Health Insurance:

Medicaid (OHP+)

Step 1: Countable Unearned Income

$______ Unearned Income

(-) $______ General Income Exclusion ($20)

(=) $______ Countable Unearned Income

Step 2: Countable Earned Income

$______ Earned Income

(-) $______ Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)

(-) $______ General Income Exclusion (if not used)

(-) $______ Earned Income Exclusion ($65)

(-) $______ Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)

(=) $______ Remainder

(/) Divide by 2

(-) $______ Blind Work Expense (BWE)

(=) $______ Countable Earned Income

Step 3: Total Countable Income

$______ Countable Unearned Income (Step 1)

(+) $______ Countable Earned Income (Step 2)

(=) $______ Total Countable Income

Step 4: Adjusted SSI Check Amount

$______ Federal Benefit Rate

($721/$1,082/480.66)

(-) $______ Total Countable Income (Step 3)

(=) $______ Adjusted SSI Check Amount

Step 5: Total Income

$________ Unearned Income

(+) $________ Adjusted SSI check

(+) $________ Earned Income

(=) $________ Total Income

7 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 Goal! Determine your work goal (type, amount, wage)


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:

Trial Work Period

Extended Period of Eligibility

Impairment Related Work Expenses, Subsidy, Unsuccessful Work Attempts


Myth #3: I’ll lose my Medicare if I work

FACT #3: There are 2 Work Incentives that allow you to maintain Medicare indefinitely!

Extended Period of Medicare Coverage

Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work


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

Basic deductions: General Income Exclusion, Earned Income Exclusion, One-Half Disregard

Additional deductions: Student Earned Income Exclusion, Impairment Related Work Expenses, Blind Work Expenses


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!

1619b- earn at least $32,725/year (2014) and keep Medicaid

Employed Persons with Disabilities- earn at least $58,500/year and keep Medicaid (2014)


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

Plan for Achieving Self Support

Individual Development Account


Myth #7: If I work I’ll end up with an overpayment

FACT #7: There are strategies to prevent overpayments

Report regularly;

Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported; and

Create a folder to save paystubs and SSA letters

Final Questions??

Work Incentives Programs in Oregon

The Work Incentives Network Paula Fitch: [email protected] Gene Rada: [email protected]

Plan for Work (Disability Rights Oregon) Arlene Jones: [email protected]

busting down the myths about benefits and work office of vocational rehabilitation services

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