State as a Model Employer Training SeriesBasics of Social Security Disability Benefits: Your First Step Towards Benefits Planning

Youth Transition Toolkit

Overview

Benefits of accessing benefits and working

Social Security Disability Benefits Work Incentives available Benefits Planning Tools, Tips, Skills and

Resources

Benefits and Transition Planning

Getting benefits can be your bridge to greater independence – but it isn’t a lot of money to live on…

Receiving benefits does not necessarily mean living in poverty

Will lead you to working, becoming a tax payer and you will be able to buy products and services you need and want

Once benefits are accessed, learn the work incentives!

Social Security Administration (SSA) It is very important to understand which

program your receive your benefits from and the difference between the SSDI and SSI programs Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Based on your own work record or your parent’s work record (Childhood Disability Benefits)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Based on need

SSI and SSDI = “Concurrent Benefits”

Social Security Disability Benefit Programs

How are SSI and SSDI similar?

You must qualify as having a “disability”: To be eligible for SSI or SSDI, Social Security’s

definition of disability must be met You also must be unable to work at a certain

level, (which Social Security calls “Substantial Gainful Activity”) for at least 12 months due to a physical or mental impairment

2012 Substantial Gainful Activity = $1010 or $1690 for blind individuals

They both provide cash benefits and health insurance

How are SSI and SSDI different?

You get SSI because you have a disability and have low income and resources: You and/or your parents make under a certain

amount of money You have less than $2000 in any of your bank or

savings accounts (called “assets” or “resources”) You get SSDI because you have a disability, and

you or your parents have enough “work credits” You or your parents have worked and paid into

the “Social Security trust fund” You can have savings, there is no resource limit

How much SSI or SSDI will I receive?

2012 California SSI Monthly Payment Rates $854.40 (Individual-own household) $625.17 (Individual-household of another) $909.40 (Blind individual) $680.17 (Blind-household of another)

SSDI Payment amounts are based upon you or your parents’ Social Security earnings record

What benefits am I on?

Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) A brief report with details about your SSI

and/or SSDI benefits, health coverage and work and earnings history

Request from your local Social Security Office Call the Social Security Administration (SSA)

at: 800-772-1213 (voice); 800-325-0778 (TTY) To learn more about the BPQY see the “What

benefits am I on now?” Article on the DB101 home page:

http://ca.db101.org

Medicare vs. Medi-Cal

Both are types of health insurance which are provided to individuals with disabilities. Medicare – comes with SSDI or CDB Medi-Cal – comes with SSI, or you can

get it by applying at your local County Social Services office

You can have Medi-Cal, Medicare, and/or private health insurance at the same time

Medicare Card

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is a health insurance program that pays medical expenses for people with low income and little or no resources

While working you will be earning Social Security credits that can lead to SSDI eligibility and retirement benefits in the future

In general, young people who get SSDI, CDB or SSI will be better off financially when they go to work

Work Incentives differ among programs Knowing how working may or may not affect benefits can

affect employment decisions and overall quality of life Use Disability Benefits 101 and the benefits calculators –

planning is key!www.db101.org

Work Is Good and Knowledge Is Power!

13SSI and SSDI Work Incentives

14Benefits Planning Tools, Skills and Resources for Results The Benefits Binder: your notebook and log of phone

calls, office visits, and names of service staff you contact. File original paycheck stubs, government letters and receipts here.

Reporting Requirements: Who is responsible, when? If you have a payee, the payee is responsible to report changes to Social Security. If not, it’s the beneficiary. Report income and other life changes timely

Know your appeal rights. A Notice of Action explains them.

Utilize Benefits Planning Tools and Resources: Disability Benefits 101 website (www.db101.org), and local benefits planners.

These tools, rules and skills can result in timely and improved customer service with benefit programs

Mary’s Story

Receiving SSI and Medi-Cal benefits, living independently, and going to community college

SSI benefits not enough to live on – interested in going to work part-time but worried about losing benefits

Visits www.disabilitybenefits101.org, learns she is able to keep all benefits plus her earnings from a part-time job at Target through the Student Earned Income Exclusion work incentive program – can now afford to go shopping!

Reports earnings to Social Security by sending in paystubs, keeps track of paperwork in her benefits binder