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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!
Page 2
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
Page 3
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)
Page 4
SGA Countable Income Test Summary
Page 5
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+)
Page 6
Page 7
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
Page 8
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)
Page 9
7 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:
Trial Work Period
Extended Period of Eligibility
Impairment Related Work Expenses, Subsidy, Unsuccessful Work Attempts
Page 10
7 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!
Extended Period of Medicare Coverage
Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work
Page 11
7 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
Basic deductions: General Income Exclusion, Earned Income Exclusion, One-Half Disregard
Additional deductions: Student Earned Income Exclusion, Impairment Related Work Expenses, Blind Work Expenses
Page 12
7 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!
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)
Page 13
7 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
Plan for Achieving Self Support
Individual Development Account
Page 14
7 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
Report regularly;
Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported; and
Create a folder to save paystubs and SSA letters
Page 15
Final Questions??
Page 16
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]