Rhodes to Independence - Benefits Planning on the Rhode to Independence Quick Facts II

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Benefits Planning on the Rhode to Independence Quick Facts

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Youth:
SSI benefits are available to some children under age 18 who have a disability and come from a home with limited income and resources

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
at 18th birthday Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
18 years old and over

Redetermination - adult definition of disability different than child.

If no longer "eligible because of disability", two more months of SSI benefit paid.

Based on individual's income and assets; parents' no longer counted.

Health coverage is available

Medicaid Coverage can continue when cash benefits stop

Student Earned Income Exclusion*

Working gradually reduces SSI*

Plan for Achieving Self-support (PASS)*

Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)*

Expedited Reinstatement*

1619 A/B*

301 Protection*

Ticket to Work*

Special Needs Trusts*

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)*

SSI Issues Affecting Transition Aged Youth

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) - When someone on SSI is an unmarried student under age 22, s/he can earn up to $1370/month (or maximum of $5520/year) before his/her benefit is reduced.

Working gradually reduces SSI - SSI is reduced approximately $1 for every $2 earned. This is used after the Student Earned Income Exclusion is applied.

Plan for Achieving Self-support (PASS) - A work incentive that allows people on SSI to set aside additional money (i.e. earnings, SSDI or other unearned income) for a vocational goal. A PASS can help you establish/maintain SSI or increase your SSI payment amount and allow assets above the $2000 limit.

Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) - Money that a person on SSI pays "out of his/her own pocket" for disability related expenses when s/he goes to work. SSI is reduced less when these expenses are deducted. Examples might be medical expenses, job coaching or mileage for an adapted vehicle.

1619 A/B - If your SSI benefits stop because of your earnings, your SSI eligibility and Medicaid benefits can be protected until your earnings reach a certain level, as long as you continue to have a disability. Your liquid assets cannot exceed $2,000 (for a single individual).

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) - You may be able to start your benefits again without a new application if your SSI eligibility ended because your earnings and/or assets were above the 1619B limits for twelve consecutive months. Your earnings must go below the SSA specified limits (called Substantial Gainful Activity/SGA) within five years of the date your SSI terminated. SSI asset limits continue to apply.

301 Protection - Your SSI benefit payments usually stop if SSA finds you no longer have a disabling impairment due to the adult redetermination at age 18 or medical improvement. Your benefits may continue until your vocational rehabilitation program ends if:

you participate in an approved vocational rehabilitation plan, and

have a signed employment plan before your benefits end under SSA rules.

You must report your vocational rehabilitation involvement to SSA. They will review the situation and decide if your continued participation in the vocational rehabilitation program would increase the likelihood that you would permanently leave the disability benefit rolls.

Ticket to Work - Program increases your choice in obtaining the employment support services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other services you may need to get and keep a job. SSA will not conduct a continuing disability review of your medical condition if you have a signed employment plan and are actively using a Ticket to Work.

Special Needs Trusts - An irrevocable trust established for the benefit of an individual with a disability by the individual's parent, grandparent, legal guardian or court. The individual must meet SSA criteria for disability. If applying for SSI, SSA must approve the trust because of asset limits. If approved by SSA, these monies would not be counted as assets.

For more information contact Benefits Planning Specialist Patrice Vealey 421-7005 x 421 or Jeanne Fay 738-1010

Thanks to Connecticut Connect to Work for fact sheet content.

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