July 2023 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter brings you exciting news, work incentives information, success stories, and other valuable information for beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and their families and the professionals serving them.

In this issue:

Work Incentive Planning Services at DOR

Did you know that DOR has over 30 certified Work Incentive Planners across the State of California that provide benefits planning services both in-person and virtually? meeting with a Work Incentives Planner is a great way to get the facts about your Social Security Benefits.

Sound Interesting?

Talk to your DOR counselor to see if you are eligible for DOR Work Incentive Planning (WIP) Services.

Upcoming Webinars on Social Security Programs and Work Incentives

The DOR is offering a series of webinars where industry experts will address assorted topics relevant to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. These webinars are designed to equip you with the tools, resources, and knowledge helpful for you to become successfully employed.

Here’s what’s coming up this month:

Title: Plan to Achieve Self Support Webinar
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am PST
Cost: Free of charge
Description: Social Security’s Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) program helps individuals on SSI, or those who would otherwise be eligible for SSI if not for excess income, save for expenses that would help them achieve their employment goals and get support to pay for basic living expenses.

In this webinar, you will learn all about the PASS program directly from one of Social Security’s PASS Specialists.

Presenter: Patrick Mattis, PASS Specialist (Social Security Administration)

Register for the July 20th Webinar

• Did you miss out on June’s webinar on My SSA Accounts? Watch it now online!

Don’t miss out! Go to our Webinar Calendar to register for more upcoming webinars!

This month’s featured Spotlight on Social Security: Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)

What is a Plan to Achieve Self Support?

A Plan to Achieve Self Support, also known as a PASS for short, is a program designed to assist Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in returning to work by allowing the beneficiary to set aside income and/or resources to help pay for the things needed to reach their employment or self-employment goal. When income is set aside for PASS expenses, Social Security will exclude the money set aside as both income and as a resource. This allows the beneficiary to save more without it impacting the SSI resource requirements and increases the amount of SSI they are eligible while participating in the PASS.

What are the eligibility requirements for a PASS?

  • Be currently eligible for SSI and have income that reduces your SSI benefit OR be otherwise eligible for SSI if not for your income and/or resources.

  • Using a PASS to reach your employment goal would help to reduce or eliminate dependence on SSI, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or both.

How does a PASS work?

Once a PASS is approved, you will be able to set aside your income and resources to help pay for the expenses needed to reach your employment goal. Any income saved as part of the PASS is excluded as a resource and will not impact eligibility for SSI.

Any income put into a PASS is also excluded when Social Security makes adjustments to the SSI cash payment. This means, you will be able to save more of your income to pay for PASS expenses and will receive more back in your SSI to help continue to pay for your daily living needs.

How do you set up a PASS?

To apply for a PASS, you must submit a PASS Application Form (SSA-545-BK) to Social Security that explains your employment goal, expenses needed to reach the employment goal, how you will fund the PASS, and other important information. Once this is submitted, a PASS Specialist at Social Security will reach out once a decision is made and provide assistance on any necessary changes, if needed.

Check out these additional resources:

Not currently Receiving DOR Services?

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