TICKET T

O WORK

P R E S E N T E D B Y L A N D A J OB

PRESENTER:Mary Glanden – Program Specialist, LandAjob

LandAjob is a national Employment Network of Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program.

At LandAjob, our mission is to provide individuals with disabilities with comprehensive and holistic post employment support, because support doesn’t end after job placement.

INTRODUCTIO

N: • Social Security’s Ticket to

Work program helps individuals with disabilities who wants to work and move towards financial independence.

• Work Incentives are benefits and protections in place to allow beneficiaries to keep their benefits while exploring work options.

What is

the Tick

et to

Work Prog

ram?

TICKET T

O WORK

REQUIREM

ENTS Everyone

Ages 18 through 64 who receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits because of his or her disability is eligible to participate in the Ticket to Work program.

To find out if you are a Ticket Holder, you can call the TTW hotline: 866-968-7842

TICKET TO WORK GUIDELINES• Participation in the Ticket to Work program is voluntary and services offered

are free. • The goal of the program is to offer individuals with disability the support they

need to work, to increase their earnings, and the chance to become and stay economically independent.

• By agreeing to assign their ticket, individuals are agreeing to the goals. Assignees will not be penalized if they cannot become economically independent, they simply need to make a good faith effort to achieve these aims.

• Our role (as an Employment Network) is to help assignees to make an informed decision, to reduce and ultimately eliminate their dependency on disability benefits and earn a better living.

WHY CHOOSE TICKET TO WORK?The most common thing I hear is that it is hard to live on disability income. Most people I talk to need and want to earn more money. But the biggest fear, and the most misunderstood issue, I hear is I will lose my benefits if I work.1. Getting back to work: The Ticket to Work program (TTW) offers you an

Employment Team: Employment Network (EN), Workforce Employment Network (WF), or Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). These 3 Employment Teams help you get back to work. Each Team offers different services so that one will fit your specific needs (training, job placement, ongoing employment support, benefits counseling, more on the TTW Employment Team on the next slide)

2. Protecting your benefits: Work incentives protect your cash benefits and health care coverage until you achieve self-sufficiency. TTW allows you to explore work options, if work is right for you, without worry.

MEET TICKET T

O WORK’S

EMPLO

YMEN

T TEA

M

EMPLOYMENT NETWORK (EN)• Career Planning• Job Leads and Job

Placement• Ongoing

Employment Support

• Work Support payments

• Benefits Counseling

WORKFORCE EMPLOYMENT NETWORKS (WF)• Career Planning• Job Leads and Job

Placement• Ongoing

Employment Support• Benefits Counseling• Training Programs• Special Programs for

Veterans and Youth-In-Transition

STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR) AGENCIES• Training• Education• Rehabilitation• Career Counseling• Job Placement• Benefits

Counseling

WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING & ASSISTANCE (WIPA)• Benefits Counseling

(understanding the rules of specific work incentives and how they apply to you)

• Decide whether Ticket to Work is right for you

• Analyze how work and earnings may impact your benefits, health care, and other public benefits

• Understand the services provided by a VR or EN, and how they might best fit you

PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY for BENEFICIARIES of SOCIAL SECURITY (PABSS)• Individual

Advocacy/Conflict Resolution

• Legal Advocacy

LandAjob is an Employment Network (EN)

We offer post employment support that sustain and advance your career:

• Reimburse work-related expenses• Support and Review Individual Work Plan

(IWP) goals and adjust as necessary• Advise on SSA disability benefits and work

incentives• Advise on SSA overpayments• Connect with local community resources

o Food bankso Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

programso Child careo Healthcare centers

• Connect with resources to secure job accommodations

And more! We work with each individual’s specific and unique needs

HOW DOES AN EMPLOYMENT NETWORK HELP YOU?

NTI@home is an Employment Network (EN)

NTI@home offers training and job placement for at-home positions:

• If an NTI Recruiter thinks you have what it takes to succeed, they invite you to a free training (subsidized by the TTW program)

o 3 days of training and coachingo Customer Service/Call Center Trainingo Continued Self-Paced Training

• Invited to apply to positions that are set aside for NTI@home candidates.

o Call Centero Help Desko Customer Serviceo Linguistics

About 85% of the positions are customer service agents and 15% are in quality control monitoring, government survey work, business to business telemarketing, misc.

Depending on what service you are looking for, you can find an Employment Team that best suit your specific needs. Shop around! You can only assign your ticket to one Employment Team at a time.

WORK INCENTIVESWork Incentives are benefits and protections that allow you to keep your cash benefits and health care coverage until you achieve self-sufficiency. But in order to know which incentives apply to you, you need to know what benefits you are receiving.

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)SSDI, also referred to as Title 2, provides payments to workers who have paid Social Security tax on their earnings. You have to both worked long enough and recently enough to qualify! If you are eligible for SSDI benefits, the amount you receive each month will be based on your average lifetime earnings.• The average is $1166, but could be higher or lower. The maximum benefit paid in

2016 is $2639.• It is not based on how severe your disability is or how much income you have.

2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)SSI, also referred to as Title 16, provides payments to adults who are disabled and have limited income or resources. It is a needs based program. If your income and resources are too high, you will be turned down for SSI benefits no matter how severe your medical disorders. You will be turned down even if you have not paid enough in Social Security taxes to qualify for SSDI.• The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) for 2016 is $733 per month for individuals and $1100

for couples. • Most states supplements Federal SSI benefit with additional payments. For

Massachusetts, the State Supplement Program (SSP) for 2016 is $114.39. • Individuals on SSI receives $847.39 in MANote: You can receive both SSDI and SSI. When SSA receives your application, it will determine whether you are eligible for disability benefits under SSDI and/or SSI, even if you have not specifically requested both. This means that if you apply only for SSDI benefits, the SSA will automatically process your claim for any SSI disability benefits to which you might be entitled. If your SSDI claim is turned down, you don’t have to file another claim for possible SSI benefits.

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDI

• 9 months Trial Work Period

• 36 months of Extended Period of Eligibility

• Expedited Reinstatement

• Protection from Medical Continuing Disability Reviews

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDI9 months Trial Work Period• 9 service months in any 60 months period = 1 service month used when

one earns Trial Work Level (TWL) $810 in 2016 ($780 2015 and $770 2014)

• Benefits no matter how much earned, even above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), as long as beneficiary remains medically disabled

• Only 1 Trial Work Period per period of disability How Income/TWL is calculatedIncome based on Pay Period (pay beginning and end dates), not Pay Date/Check DateIf you collect both SSDI and SSI, your need to count your income 2 different ways: Pay Period for SSDI and Pay date for SSI     

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDIExample #1: How to calculate TWP?Anna gross earnings went over TWL in the following months, what month of her TWP is she in as of Nov 2015?

June 2008Jan 2009Feb 2009Mar 2009Apr 2009May 2009June 2009Aug 2015Sept 2015Oct 2015Nov 2015 

Answer:

June 2008Jan 2009Feb 2009Mar 2009Apr 2009May 2009June 2009Aug 2015 60 month look back to Aug 2010Sept 2015Oct 2015Nov 2015 Anna used 4 months

Keep in mind that this is not 9 consecutive months, but 9 months that could be scattered over a period of 5 years, so be sure to keep track. Even if you haven’t worked in 2 or 3 years and decide to try out a temporary job, if it is the tenth month out of the past 5 years in which you’ve earned the SGA amount, your benefits will be suspended.

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDI36 months of Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)• 36 months (3 years) starts after the last month of the Trial Work Period• Get SSDI in months where countable earnings are under Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level, as

long as remain medically disabled• Get no SSDI in months when earnings are at/above SGA level• SSA can reinstate SSDI benefits without new application or a new disability determination (no

waiting period) Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)• $1130 and $1820 for blind in 2016 ($1090 and $1820 blind in 2015 / $1070 and $1800 blind in

2014)

Example #2: How to calculate EPE?Anna’s 9th month Trial Work Period is Dec 2015. When does her EPE run? Answer: Jan 2016 – Dec 2018

Example #3: In Nov 2018, Anna becomes stressed and cannot work full-time. Her earnings drop below SGA. What happens?Answer: Anna is within her EPE and her SSDI benefits are reinstated right away without her filing for a new application.

Example #4: In Jan 2019, Anna becomes stressed and cannot work full-time. Her earnings drop below SGA. What happens?Answer: Anna is in her 37 month and her SSDI benefits cannot be reinstated. She needs to file for Expedited Reinstatement.

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)If your benefits stopped because of your earnings level, you have 60 months (5 years) to use your Expedited Reinstatement work incentive. EXR allows you to request to have your benefits reinstated without having to complete a new application. While social security determines your benefits reinstatement, you are eligible to receive temporary benefits for up to 6 months (benefits include: Cash benefits and Medicare and/or Medicaid)

• You must have the same disability, or SSA will deny your EXR application• You can appeal that decision. • You can file a new application and SSA will use the date of the EXR application as a

prospective application date.• You do not have to pay back the 6 months of benefits.

The EXR application must be filed within 60 months of the date of termination of entitlement. For SSDI, that date is the first SGA month after the 36th month of the EPE. 

The best way to apply for EXR is by telephoning your local SSA and making an appointment so you don’t have a long wait at the field office. You cannot do it online.

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDI

Suspension vs. Termination: If your benefits are suspended, you are eligible for reinstatement without reapplying. If your benefits are terminated, you need to reapply. During EPE, your benefits are suspended.

Protection from Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR)If you assign your Ticket to an approved service provider, you will not have to undergo medical reviews (Continuing Disability Review CDR) while you are participating in the Ticket to Work program and making timely progress (TPR) within Social Security's timeframes.

WORK INCENTIVES: SSDIExpedited Reinstatement (EXR) continued:

A cost and benefit analysis:

The EXR is based on your original disability. If your EXR is approved, you get the same disability benefits as previous (same dollar $ amount). After 24 initial payments of EXR, your work attempt is deemed unsuccessful (Unsuccessful Work Attempt UWA), and you get a new Ticket and Trial Work Period.

For some people, it may be more cost effective to file a new disability application. 1. It’s a new disability and 2. They can get more money with a new application. Remember, with SSDI, you get standard pay, back payment and retroactive payment. Plus, you get a new ticket and new Trial Work Period.

Income is:• Anything you receive in cash or in-kind

that you can use to meet your needs for food and shelter

• Counted in the month of receipt• Counted towards “asset” if retrained in

the subsequent month

Types of Income:• Earned = from work • Unearned = from another source

(SSDI, unemployment, annuities, pensions, alimony, dividends, interests, inheritance, etc.)

• Deeming = from someone else’s income (parent or spouse)

• In-kind = shelter or food received free or at reduced cost (capped at 1/3 FBR)

For more information on SSA’s definition of income, please visit: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm

SSI: INCOME and ASSETS

What is not income?• Tax refunds • Loans (spent in month received)• Bills paid by 3rd parties directly to the

vendor for other than food and shelter• Student loans• EITC and child tax credit payments

SSA does not count the following income and benefits when calculating your income level:

o $20 per month of income not from wages (unearned)

o $65 per month of wages and ½ of wages over $65

o Food stampso Home energy or housing assistance

Important to remember income is counted twice: Consider funds received in this month as part of this month’s income. Consider funds not spent will be counted as next month’s assets.

To qualify for SSI, your monthly income cannot exceed the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). The FBR is set by law. The FBR for 2016 is $733 per month for individuals and $1100 for couples. State supplements vary from state to state. For Massachusetts, the State Supplement Program (SSP) for 2016 is $114.39.

o Individuals on SSI receives $847.39 in MA

SSI:

EXAMPLE

S Example #1: How to calculate unearned income?Anna receives $520 per month in SSDI, how much will she receive in SSI?1. $20 is excluded = $520 - $20= $500 countable SSDI2. $733 (SSI FBR) - $500 = $233 how much SSI she will receive +

state supplement.Example #2: How to calculate work income?Anna receives $733 (SSI FBR), $520 in SSDI, and decides to take a job paying $885 in gross wages per month, how does work affect her SSI?1. $520 - $20 = $500 countable SSDI2. $885 - $65 ($65 is excluded [+ $20 if not used on “unearned

income”, but in Anna’s case, used on SSDI] divided by 2) = $410 countable gross monthly income

3. $500 + $410 = $910 this $ amount is more than Anna’s SSI FBR ($733), so she is SSI ineligible

4. $885 (Anna’s original gross income) + $520 (SSDI) = $1405 Anna’s total incomeRECAP:

• $20 is excluded from unearned income• $65 is excluded from earned income• Income = Gross pay – (minus) exclusions ÷

(divided) by ½

How Work Income is calculatedIncome based on Pay Date/Check DateIf you collect both SSDI and SSI, your need to count your income 2 different ways: Pay Period for SSDI and Pay date for SSI

Assets limit:To qualify for SSI, your assets cannot exceed a certain limit. An “asset” is cash or resource that can be converted to cash and used for your support. An asset can be either liquid or nonliquid. Liquid = cash and resource that can be converted to cash within 20 working days. Nonliquid = resources that cannot be converted to cash within 20 days.• $2000 for a single person• $3000 for a married couple (even if only one member is

eligible for SSI) SSA does not count the following as assets:• Your home• Household goods and personal effects (your wedding ring and

engagement ring)• One automobile, regards of value, if used to provide necessary

transportation • Burial plots and burial funds up to $1500 • Life insurance policies with a combined face value of $1500 or

less• Retroactive SSI benefits (back payments) for up to 9 months

after you receive them

SSI:

ASSET

S

For more information on SSA’s definition of assets, please visit: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm

WORK INCENTIVES: SSIImpairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)

For SSI recipients, the main work incentive is IRWES – allowable deductions from your earned income when determining countable earnings

IRWES are:• Items or services that enables you to work (example: Transportation costs required

because of disability like The Ride)• Impairment related items and services (Example: Personal Care Attendant services

provided at work or at home to prepare for work)• Things that you pay for and is not covered or reimbursed by any source (Example:

Medical equipment, work assistive equipment, prostheses)

Additional examples:• Medical treatment necessary to or control improve a condition to permit work• Expendable medical supplies• Medical devices and appliances• Non-medical devices and appliances where verified as essential for control of a

condition, i.e. an air cleaner for a severe respiratory condition.

NOTE: You have to document these costs, so keep your receipts!

WORK INCENTIVES: SSIExpedited Reinstatement (EXR)If your benefits stopped because of your earnings level, you have 60 months (5 years) to use your Expedited Reinstatement work incentive. EXR allows you to request to have your benefits reinstated without having to complete a new application. While social security determines your benefits reinstatement, you are eligible to receive temporary benefits for up to 6 months (benefits include: Cash benefits and Medicare and/or Medicaid)

• You must have the same disability, or SSA will deny your EXR application• You can appeal that decision. • You can file a new application and SSA will use the date of the EXR application as a

prospective application date.• You do not have to pay back the 6 months of benefits.

The EXR application must be filed within 60 months of the date of termination of entitlement. For SSI, that date is 12 months after the first month of financial ineligibility. For the first 12 months, their benefits are in suspension, not terminated.

The best way to apply for EXR is by telephoning your local SSA and making an appointment so you don’t have a long wait at the field office. You cannot do it online.

CONCLUSIONThings to Remember if You Receive SSDI and SSI• You need to count your income 2 different ways: Pay Period (SSDI) and Pay Date (SSI)• The $2000 Assets rule still applies to your SSI benefits

Best Practices• When you report your income at SSA, make sure you get a receipt. Sometimes the local office

doesn’t input the information right away, but make sure you receive a receipt noting you reported your income.

• Report to SSA anything that might affect your eligibility (change in address, change in pay, bonus, loss of job, new job, anything!)

• Report no later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurs (ex. if you get a raise on May 22nd, need to let SSA know by June 10th)

• Report in person at your local SSA whenever possible• Keep records and copies of everything you provide to SSA

Final Thought: It is extremely important to know which benefit you receive so that you know which work incentives apply to you! To find out which benefit you receive is really simple! You can call Ticket to Work 866-968-7842 or create and use “my Social Security” account on the Social Security website.

To create a new account:You will need: Your Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Home Address and

Email Address.

 1. Go to www.SSA.gov/signin2. Click “Create An Account”3. Enter a username, Password, Email address, and answer the password reset

questions, then click “Next”4. Enter Your Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, and Home Address. Enter

a phone number if you have one. Then click “Next.”5. Answer security questions to verify your identity, then click “Next.” You’re done!

TICKET TO WORK WEBSITE

http://www.chooseworkttw.net/

Contact: 866-968-7842

COMMENTS OR

QUESTIONS?Contact:Mary GlandenProgram Specialist, LandAjobmglanden@nticentral.org877-258-5543 ext. 3304