TRANSFORMACIÓN DEL MUNDO

If you are on Social Security, it is important to understand the type of benefits you receive. Each program has different rules and work incentives that may be important for you to know about.

Although eligibility requirements are standard for receiving Social Security there is a substantial difference between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Keep in mind you may receive both. For example, if you get SSDI and also have low resources, you may qualify for SSI as well.

Social Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

 Aged, Blind or Disabled  Aged, Blind or Disabled  Must have limited resources –

(not to exceed $2,000 for

individuals or $3,000 for couples)

 No resource limit

 No work history required  Must have work history  Automatically eligible for

Medicaid (Medi-Cal)

 2 year waiting period for Medicare

 Living situation may impact benefits

 Living situation does not impact benefits

 Does not pay benefits to family members

 Benefits can be paid to family members

 Maximum monthly benefit for most individuals in 2015 is $890.40

 Benefit amount is based on previous earnings from work

How are my benefits impacted when I start working?

Many people have questions or concerns about their benefits when deciding to go to work. It is important that you seek professional advice that could help you understand your unique situation. Work with your counselor to find out who the local Benefits Counselors are in your area.

Benefits Counseling

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), knowing the facts about work incentives and employment supports allows you to remain in control of your finances and health care during your transition to work and financial independence. Benefits counselors can provide personalized

information about your benefits and give you the tools you need to make an informed choice about returning to work.

Common Myths:

 If I go to work, I’ll lose my cash benefits

 If I go to work, I’ll lose my Medi-Cal or Medicare

 If I go to work and have to stop because of my disability, I won’t be able to get back on benefits

Facts:

 There are employment supports in place to ensure you don’t lose cash benefits prematurely

 There are Medi-Cal and Medicare programs designed specifically for people with disabilities who work

 If you have to stop working because of your disability, you can reinstate your benefits without a new application

For more information about employment supports and work incentives, go to:  Department of Rehabilitation — Work Incentives Program

 Crossroads Diversified (1-866-936-4237); or visit  www.DisabilityBenefits101.org

 www.ChooseWork.net  www.SSA.gov/redbook

Source: Department of Rehabilitation (2014b)

What is the “Ticket to Work” Program?

Ticket to Work (TTW) is a voluntary work incentive program for Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries who are between the ages of 18 and 64 and interested in going to work. The goal of the TTW Program is to assist beneficiaries in obtaining employment and working towards becoming self-sufficient.

How do I know if I am eligible for the TTW program?

If you are between 18 and 64 years of age and currently receiving SSI and/or SSDI, you may have received information on the TTW program. If you want to know if you are TTW eligible, you (or your DOR counselor) can call SSA's TTW Help Line toll free at 866-968-7842. You do not need a paper Ticket to participate in the TTW program.

Quick Facts

 Once your IPE is approved and signed by you and your DOR counselor, your Ticket will be placed “In-Use” with DOR.

 While you are using your Ticket, SSA will excuse you from medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) as long as you are actively participating in the program and meeting SSA’s Timely Progress benchmarks (see attached Timely Progress Review (TPR) table under Attachment D).

 If you are not able to meet SSA's Timely Progress benchmarks, you can still continue to receive services from DOR. You may request to inactivate your Ticket by submitting a written request to Maximus by fax to 703-893-4020. Please note that you will not be excused from medical CDRs while your Ticket is inactivated.

 When your DOR case is closed, you have 90 days to assign your Ticket to an EN if you want to continue to be excused from medical CDR's.

o You can get a list of approved ENs in the area by visiting

www.chooseworkttw.net or contacting the SSA's TTW Help Line toll free at 866-968-7842.

Attachment D

Timely Progress Guidelines

During Each 12-month Progress Review Period 1st_{-12 (after 12 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 3 months of work at Trial Work Level (TWL), OR • Complete a GED or high school diploma, OR

• Complete 60% of a full-time course load for an academic year in a college or technical/trade/vocational training program, OR

• Complete a combination of this work and education requirement 2nd _{-12 (13-24 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 6 months of work at Trial Work Level (TWL), OR • Complete 75% of a full-time course load for an academic year in a college or

technical/trade/vocational training program, OR

• Complete a combination of this work and education requirement 3rd_{-12 (25-36 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 9 months or work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level, OR • Complete an additional full-time academic year of study, OR

• Complete a 2-year or 4-year college program, OR

• Complete a 2-year technical/trade/vocational training program, OR • Complete a combination of this work and education requirement 4th_{-12 (37-48 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 9 months of work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level, OR • Complete an additional academic year of full-time study, OR

• Complete a combination of this work and education requirement 5th_{-12 (49-60 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 6 months of work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level with no SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits in months worked, OR

• Complete an additional academic year of full-time study, OR • Complete a 4-year degree program

6th_{-12 (61-72 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 6 months of work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level with no SSDI and/ or SSI cash benefits in months worked, OR

• Complete a 4-year degree program 7th_{-12 (73-84 months of ticket use)}

months • Complete 6 months of work at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level with no SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits in months worked *