MAKING EMPLOYMENT WORK: CREATING FINANCIAL

INDEPENDENCE THROUGH WORK INCENTIVES

LAUREN HORNER

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

MARYLAND BENEFITS COUNSELING NETWORK

MAKING EMPLOYMENT

WORKAGENDA

• OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS

• TITLE II BENEFIT PROGRAM & WORK INCENTIVES

• MEDICARE, MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS (MSP), & EID

• REPORTING EARNINGS FOR TITLE II

• LUNCH

• SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) BENEFIT PROGRAM

• SSI WORK INCENTIVES

• MEDICAID

• REPORTING EARNINGS FOR SSI

• CONCURRENT BENEFICIARIES

• TICKET TO WORK

• BENEFITS COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, & WRAP UP

ASSESSMENT

• FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TRAINING, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH THE LINK AND PASSWORD TO COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING ASSESSMENT.

• YOU WILL BE GIVEN 2 ATTEMPTS TO SCORE AT LEAST 80% IN ORDER TO PASS.

• CEUS/COPS WILL BE MAILED TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED AFTER A PASSING SCORE IS OBTAINED.

• BE SURE TO DEDICATE TIME FOR YOUR ASSESSMENT. IF YOU LEAVE THE ASSESSMENT PAGE ONCE STARTED, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOG BACK IN WHERE YOU LEFT OF.

WHY SHOULD BENEFICIARIES WORK?

• BENEFICIARIES ARE FINANCIALLY BETTER OFF WHILE WORKING!

• Many recipients have benefit amounts that are near or below the federal poverty level.

• ALLOWS BENEFICIARIES TO MOVE TOWARDS FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE.

• OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND SKILLS - IMPROVING FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH AND GIVING INDIVIDUALS A FEELING OF PURPOSE.

• HELPS IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS AND IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT TO ME?

• BENEFITS EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE…• THERE ARE TOO MANY MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS SURROUNDING BENEFICIARIES’

ABILITY TO WORK – MANY ARE PREVENTING WORK EFFORTS EVEN THOUGH INDIVIDUALS ARE BETTER OFF BY WORKING!

• SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT A RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

• INCORPORATING BENEFITS EDUCATION IN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES HAS BEEN LINKED TO HIGHER EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS RATES, HIGHER EARNINGS RATES, LESS EMPLOYMENT TURNOVER, AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE – A WIN WIN FOR ALL!

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS

TITLE II• INSURANCE PROGRAM

• MAY RECEIVE BASED ON DISABILITY, BLINDNESS, AGE (RETIREMENT), OR AS A SURVIVOR

• ENTITLEMENT REQUIRES THE INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE A WORK HISTORY OR HIS/HER PARENT(S) OR SPOUSE TO HAVE A WORK HISTORY

• BENEFIT AMOUNT DETERMINED BY WORK HISTORY

• COMES WITH MEDICARE (USUALLY AFTER 2 YEARS)

SSI• NEEDS-BASED PROGRAM

• MAY RECEIVE BASED ON DISABILITY, BLINDNESS, OR AGE

• USUALLY PAID TO INDIVIDUALS WITH NO OR VERY LITTLE WORK HISTORY

• BENEFIT AMOUNT DETERMINED BY CURRENT FEDERAL BENEFIT RATE (FBR) AND OTHER INCOME THE PERSON HAS

• COMES WITH MEDICAID

TITLE II

• A FEDERAL DISABILITY/RETIREMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INSURED BY WORKERS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND.

• INSURED STATUS IS OBTAINED WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS EARNED ENOUGH WORK CREDITS (WORKED LONG ENOUGH AND PAID ENOUGH IN SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES).

• BENEFITS ARE PAYABLE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND CERTAIN MEMBERS OF HIS/HER FAMILY.

• DISABILITY BENEFITS ARE PAYABLE IF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INSURED BECOMES DISABLED AND/OR CAN PAID LATER IN LIFE AS A RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF TITLE II BENEFITS

SSDI• SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

INSURANCE (SSDI)

• RECIPIENT IS THE FORMER WORKER WHO HAS REACHED ‘INSURED’ STATUS AND BECOME DISABLED.

• BENEFIT AMOUNT BASED ON HIS/HER WORK HISTORY.

CDB/DAC• CHILDHOOD DISABILITY BENEFIT

(CDB) ALSO KNOWN AS DISABLED ADULT CHILD (DAC)

• RECIPIENT IS DISABLED ADULT CHILD OF A PARENT(S) WHO (1) REACHED INSURED STATUS & (2) IS EITHER RETIRED, DISABLED, OR DECEASED.

• RECIPIENT MUST ALSO BE AT LEAST AGE 18, DISABLED BEFORE AGE 22, AND USUALLY UNMARRIED.

• BENEFIT AMOUNT BASED ON WORK HISTORY OF THE PARENT(S).

DWB• DISABLED WIDOW(ER)S BENEFIT

(DWB)

• RECIPIENT IS A DISABLED WIDOW(ER) AGE 50 OR OLDER

• RECIPIENT CANNOT HAVE REMARRIED BEFORE AGE 60.

• BENEFIT AMOUNT BASED ON WORK HISTORY OF THE DECEASED SPOUSE/FORMER SPOUSE.

MEDICARE

• MEDICARE IS A FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.

• RECIPIENTS OF TITLE II BENEFITS ALSO RECEIVE MEDICARE.• Most must wait 2 years (24 months) from the time cash benefits start for

Medicare coverage to start.• Others with certain conditions (Lou Gehrig's disease, permanent kidney

failure, etc.) May receive Medicare right away.

• MEDICARE IS EXPENSIVE!

• PART A (HOSPITALIZATION) – USUALLY PREMIUM FREE

• PART B (MEDICAL) - $144.40 PER MONTH PREMIUM, ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES, CO-INSURANCES

• PART C (SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN) – MONTHLY PREMIUM VARIES BY PLAN

• PART D (PRESCRIPTION DRUG) – MONTHLY PREMIUM VARIES BY PLAN, ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES, CO-PAYS, AND DONUT HOLE COVERAGE GAP

MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS

• MANY TITLE II & MEDICARE RECIPIENTS ALSO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICARE COSTS THROUGH A MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM (MSP):

• QMB – COUNTABLE INCOME BELOW 100% FPL ($1,064/MONTH) – COVERS ALL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS

• SLMB – COUNTABLE INCOME BELOW 120% FPL (1,276/MONTH) – LIMITED OUT-OF-POCKET COST COVERAGE

• QI – COUNTABLE INCOME BELOW 135% FPL ($1,436/MONTH) – LIMITED OUT-OF-POCKET COST COVERAGE

• OFTEN, TITLE II RECIPIENTS THAT START WORKING END UP LOSING MSP ELIGIBILITY AS A RESULT OF INCREASED INCOME. THERE IS A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT CAN REPLACE MSP ASSISTANCE, HOWEVER. THIS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS KNOWN AS EID.

EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (EID) -

• PROVIDES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MA) FOR A SMALL FEE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WORK AND WOULD ORDINARILY HAVE INCOMES AND/OR RESOURCES ABOVE LIMITS FOR OTHER MA PROGRAM.

• ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS -– Must meet SSA’s disability definition (through either SSA benefit entitlement or via a state issued

disability determination review) – Be between 18 – 64 years old– Be working for pay (employed or self-employed)– Meet countable INCOME LIMITS ($38,304 individual ($3,192/month) OR $51,732 married

($4,311/month)– Have resources below $10,000 individual or $15,000 married– Be a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien

EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (EID) -

• Sliding scale fee based on income (between $0 - $55 per month).

• Individuals who lose employment through no fault of their own or who require a medical leave of absence from work beyond 30 days can continue coverage for up to 6 months through a Grace Period.

• Applications are handled through one office of MDH known as the Eligibility Determination Division (EDD) located at:

• 6 Saint Paul Street – 4th floor, Baltimore, MD 21202

• DO NOT submit applications to local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices!

• Applications must be mailed to the above address OR faxed to (410) 528-5129.

• HTTPS://MMCP.HEALTH.MARYLAND.GOV/EID/PAGES/HOME.ASPX

• EID will replace the financial assistance received through MSPs – also giving the individual Medical Assistance coverage! EID is also a great option for individuals awaiting Medicare coverage.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING?

• TITLE II RECIPIENTS CAN WORK AND KEEP BENEFITS!

• FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO RETURN TO SUBSTANTIAL WORK – THEY MAY BE BETTER OFF FINANCIALLY BY EVENTUALLY WORKING THEIR WAY OFF OFBENEFITS!

• WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW TO DETERMINE HOW BENEFITS ARE IMPACTS?• GROSS EARNINGS (PRE-TAX) EVERY MONTH

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING?

• FOR ANY MONTH EARNINGS ARE BELOW A PRE-DETERMINED AMOUNT KNOW AS THE ‘BENCHMARK’ AMOUNT, TITLE II BENEFITS ARE PAID IN FULL WITH NO CHANGE ON THE BENEFIT RECORD.

• THE BENCHMARK AMOUNT FOR 2020 IS $910 PER MONTH

• ONCE EARNINGS EXCEED THE BENCHMARK, A SERIES OF PHASES WITH DIFFERENT RULES AND WORK INCENTIVE PROTECTIONS APPLY.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING? –

TRIAL WORK PERIOD• Eventually, social security will limit how much someone can earn in order to keep

receiving their Title II benefit. Before that limit applies, beneficiaries are given 9 months to test their ability to work. THIS 9 MONTH PERIOD IS CALLED THE TRIAL WORK

PERIOD.

• DURING THESE 9 MONTHS THERE IS NO LIMIT ON EARNINGS AND TITLE II BENEFITS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE PAID IN FULL!

• THESE 9 MONTHS ARE NOT NECESSARILY USED CONSECUTIVELY – ONLY MONTHS WITH EARNINGS ABOVE THE BENCHMARK ($910) WILL COUNT.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING? –

TRIAL WORK PERIOD

• EVERY BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED TO ONE 9 MONTH TRIAL WORK PERIOD.

• ONCE THE TWP IS USED – ITS USED! BENEFICIARIES THEN MOVE INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF RULES REGARDING WORK AND BENEFITS.

• LET’S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE…

TRIAL WORK PERIOD - CASE EXAMPLE• THIS IS PETER

• PETER STARTED WORKING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2020 AT A RESTAURANT. HIS HOURS VARIED. HE LOST HIS JOB AFTER A FEW MONTHS, SPENT A MONTH LOOKING FOR NEW EMPLOYMENT, AND LATER STARTED WORKING AGAIN AT ANOTHER RESTAURANT.

2020 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecEarnings $0 $0 $950 $925 $890 $0 $970 $970 $930 $800 $970 $1,000

TWP No No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

EXERCISE #1• CINDERELLA STARTED WORKING IN JANUARY

2020 AS A HOUSEKEEPER EARNING $1,000 PER MONTH. SHE CONTINUED TO WORK IN THIS JOB THROUGH JUNE 2020 THEN STOPPED WORKING.

• IN OCTOBER 2020 SHE STARTED WORKING AGAIN IN KITCHEN PREP EARNING $1,100 PER MONTH. SHE WORKED THROUGH DECEMBER 2021.

• WHEN WE USE A TRACKING FORM TO CHART CINDERELLA’S EARNINGS, THIS IS WHAT WE GET…

Year 2020 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

CountableEarnings

1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,100 1,100 1,100

BenefitStatus

1 TWP

2 TWP

3 TWP

4 TWP

5 TWP

6 TWP

7 TWP

8 TWP

9TWP

Year 2021 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

CountableEarnings

1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100

BenefitStatus

ONCE ALL 9 TWP MONTHS ARE USED, A NEW SET OF RULES APPLIES…

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE IS WORKING BEYOND THE TWP?

EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY • PHASE II…

• IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 9TH TWP MONTH…• THE EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY (EPE) BEGINS - THE EPE IS A PERIOD OF 36

CONSECUTIVE MONTHS (3 YEARS) THAT ACTS AS A SAFETY NET TO KEEP THE BENEFIT RECORD OPEN.

• AN EARNINGS LIMIT KNOWN AS SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) ALSOSTARTS TO APPLY

• IN 2020, SGA IS $1,260 PER MONTH (NON BLIND) OR $2,110 PER MONTH (BLIND)

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING?

EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY

EARNINGS SGAIF EARNINGS ARE BELOW SGA ($1,260) – TITLE II BENEFITS ARE

PAID.

EARNINGS SGAIF EARNINGS ARE ABOVE SGA($1,260) – TITLE II BENEFITS ARE

NOT PAID – THEY ARE SUSPENDED.

BUT…SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWS A BENEFICIARY TO CONTINUE

BENEFIT PAYMENTS THE VERY 1ST

MONTH EARNINGS ARE ABOVE SGA AND THE FOLLOWING 2

CONSECUTIVE MONTHS – THIS IS KNOWN AS THE GRACE PERIOD.

*EVERY BENEFICIARY GETS 1 GRACE PERIOD.

AFTER THE GRACE PERIOD, BENEFITS ARE NOT PAID IF

EARNINGS ARE ABOVE SGA.

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE STARTS WORKING?

EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY • REMEMBER…

• THE EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY ACTS AS A SAFETY NET.

• DURING THE 36 MONTH EPE, IF BENEFITS ARE STOPPED BECAUSE OF SGA LEVEL EARNINGS THEY ARE ONLY SUSPENDED.

• IF THE BENEFICIARY LATER STOPS WORKING OR REDUCES EARNINGS BELOW SGA – BENEFITS CAN BE PAID AGAIN BY JUST SHOWING PROOF TO SSA.

• THE EPE PERIOD CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN IF THE BENEFICIARY IS NOT WORKING.

EXERCISE #2

• IN JANUARY 2022 CINDERELLA INCREASED HER HOURS AND STARTED EARNING $1,300 PER MONTH.

• IN JUNE 2022 SHE MEETS THE MAN OF HER DREAMS AND QUITS HER JOB.

• WE CAN ADD ON TO THE TRACKING FORM TO

CHART CINDERELLA’S…

• EARNINGS

• EPE (36 MONTH) START AND END DATE

• 3 CONSECUTIVE GRACE PERIOD MONTHS

• IDENTIFY ANY MONTHS SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR

HER BENEFIT.

Year 2020 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

CountableEarnings

1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,100 1,100 1,100

BenefitStatus

1 TWP

2 TWP

3 TWP

4 TWP

5 TWP

6 TWP

7 TWP

8 TWP

9TWP

Year 2021 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

CountableEarnings

1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100

BenefitStatus

EPE Start

Year 2022 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

CountableEarnings

1,300 1,300 1,300 1,300 1,300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BenefitStatus

Grace Period 1

Grace Period 2

Grace Period 3

Not Paid

Not Paid

Paid Paid Paid Paid Paid Paid Paid

SO WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE II BENEFITS WHEN SOMEONE IS WORKING

BEYOND THE END OF THE EPE (POST EPE)?

EARNINGS SGAIF EARNINGS ARE BELOW SGA ($1,260) – TITLE II BENEFITS ARE

PAID.

EARNINGS SGAIF EARNINGS ARE ABOVE SGA($1,260) – TITLE II BENEFITS ARE

‘TERMINATED’.

BENEFITS ARE TERMINATED THE VERY FIRST MONTH EARNINGS

ARE ABOVE SGA (ONCE THE EPE ENDS).

BUT WHAT IF EMPLOYMENT ENDS OR

EARNINGS REDUCE AFTER TERMINATION?

TWO OPTIONS…

1. FILE FOR EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT (EXR) OF

BENEFITS, IF APPLICABLE, OR

2. FILE A BRAND NEWAPPLICATION

POST EPE

WHO CAN FILE FOR EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT (EXR)?– The individual must have had benefits terminated because of SGA level earnings from work

(not for any other reason), and– The individual must be now unable to work or perform substantial gainful activity because

of his/her disability, and– The individual must be disabled because of an impairment(s) that is the same as or related

to the impairment(s) that allowed benefits earlier; and– The individual must make the request within 5 years of the month of benefit termination.

• AN INDIVIDUAL CAN RECEIVE UP TO 6 MONTHS OF PROVISIONAL BENEFIT PAYMENTS WHILE AN EXR DECISION IS BEING MADE.

• IF ALL OF THE ABOVE EXR CRITERIA ARE NOT MET, INDIVIDUALS MAY RECEIVE BENEFITS AGAIN BUT MUST COMPLETE A BRAND NEW APPLICATION.

Phase ITrial Work Period

• 9 months of earnings over TWP threshold (not necessarily consecutive)

• Individual can earn any amount from work and will receive cash benefit payments during this time

• Earnings still need to be reported to SSA

Phase IIExtended Period of

Eligibility & Introduction of SGA

Limit

• 36 consecutive months starting immediately after TWP ends

• Cash payments made for months of earnings below SGA

• Cash payments suspended for months of earnings above SGA

Phase IIIPost EPE-EXR

• Benefit continues for months of earnings below SGA.

• Benefit will be terminated if earnings are above SGA

• After termination, individual can apply for reinstatement of benefits under EXR or can complete a new application.

REVIEW – TITLE II WORK INCENTIVES PHASES

WORK INCENTIVE DEDUCTIONS

• WHEN EVALUATING IS EARNINGS ARE ABOVE OR BELOW SGA, SOMETIMES SOCIAL SECURITY WILL NOT COUNT ALL OF SOMEONE’S EARNINGS. THIS IS THE CASE WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL MEETS CRITERIA FOR ONE OR MORE WORK INCENTIVE DEDUCTIONS.

• SUBSIDIES & SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSES (IRWES)

• IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THESE WORK INCENTIVES APPLY, SOCIAL SECURITY WILL DETERMINE A VALUE TO THE IRWE AND/OR SUBSIDY AND DEDUCT THAT AMOUNT FROM THE GROSS EARNINGS WITHIN THE MONTH APPLICABLE. THE REMAINING AMOUNT FOLLOWING THE DEDUCTION IS KNOWN AS THE ‘COUNTABLE EARNINGS’.

• IT IS POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE Gross Earnings ABOVE SGA AND STILL BE ENTITLED TO BENEFIT PAYMENTS, AS LONG AS THE Countable Earnings ARE BELOW SGA.

SUBSIDIES & SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• ACCOMMODATIONS THAT INDICATE A WORKER IS NOT ACTUALLY EARNING THE FULL WAGES HE OR SHE IS BEING PAID. A DOLLAR VALUE FOR THE ACCOMMODATION(S) IS DETERMINED AND THEN SUBTRACTED FROM THE INDIVIDUAL’S MONTHLY GROSS WAGES TO CALCULATE Countable Earnings.

• EXAMPLES OF SUBSIDIES ARE:

• REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY.

• PERFORMING FEWER WORK DUTIES THAN CO-WORKERS.

• RECEIVING EXTRA SUPERVISION FROM EMPLOYER OR A JOB COACH.

• MAY USE FORM SSA-3033 – WORK ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE -TO DOCUMENT THIS WORK INCENTIVE.

SUBSIDY CASE EXAMPLE

• THIS IS CAPTAIN HOOK.

• HOOK WILL BE STARTING A NEW JOB AND WILL BE EARNING $1,300 PER MONTH. AS AN ACCOMMODATION TO HIS IMPAIRMENTS, HOOK’S EMPLOYER HAS MADE SOME EXCEPTIONS TO HIS JOB DESCRIPTION. HOOK WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE 80% OF THE STANDARD JOB DESCRIPTION FOR HIS POSITION.

• SOCIAL SECURITY WILL NOT COUNT 20% OF HOOK’S WAGES. THIS 20% IS CONSIDERED AN EMPLOYER SPONSORED SUBSIDY.

• 20% OF $1,300 = $260

• $1,300 - $260 = $1,040 COUNTABLE EARNINGS

• BEFORE THE SUBSIDY, WOULD HOOK HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR HIS BENEFIT? • NO

• WITH THE SUBSIDY CONSIDERED, IS HOOK ELIGIBLE FOR HIS BENEFIT? • YES!

IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSES (IRWES)

• IRWE’S ARE EXPENSES THAT ARE (1) WORK RELATED, (2) NECESSITATED BY THE WORKER’S DISABILITY, AND (3) PAID FOR BY THE WORKER.

• EXAMPLES OF IRWE’S ARE: – VEHICLE MODIFICATION. – ASSISTIVE DEVICES (INCLUDING REPAIR, MAINTENANCE,

AND TRAINING TO USE THEM). – JOB COACHING. – ATTENDANT SERVICES. – THERAPIES. – TRANSPORTATION NECESSITATED BY DISABILITY (E.G.

WHEELCHAIR VAN SERVICE). – MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICES AND SUPPLIES.

• MUST PROVIDE SSA WITH COPIES OF RECEIPTS FOR IRWES TO BE COUNTED.

IRWE CASE EXAMPLE• THIS IS MR. MAGOO.

• MR. MAGOO IS EMPLOYED AT AN INSURANCE OFFICE EARNING $1,400 PER MONTH. HE HAS A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND CANNOT DRIVE TO WORK. HE GETS CONFUSED EASILY AND, BECAUSE OF THIS, IS UNABLE TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. HE PAYS HIS NEIGHBOR $200 PER MONTH TO DRIVE HIM TO AND FROM WORK. HE ALSO PAYS $30 PER MONTH TO RENT ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.

• MR. MAGOO HAS A TOTAL OF $230 PER MONTH IN IRWES.

• $1,400 - $230 = $1,170 COUNTABLE EARNINGS

• HAD HE NOT REPORTED HIS IRWES, WOULD HE HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR HIS BENEFIT?

• NO

• AFTER REPORTING AND GETTING APPROVAL FOR HIS IRWES, IS MR. MAGOO ELIGIBLE FOR HIS BENEFIT?

• YES!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

SO IF MY CASH BENEFITS STOP, WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MEDICARE?

• EXTENDED PERIOD OF MEDICARE COVERAGE (EPMC) –• IF AN INDIVIDUAL LOSES TITLE II CASH BENEFITS DUE TO EARNINGS ABOVE SGA,

HE/SHE CAN RETAIN MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR AT LEAST 93 MONTHS (7 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS) FROM THE END OF THE TRIAL WORK PERIOD; SOMETIMES LONGER.

• *IMPORTANT TO NOTE: MEDICARE PREMIUMS ARE TYPICALLY DEDUCTED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL’S MONTHLY BENEFIT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT INDIVIDUALS KNOW THEY WILL BE BILLED FOR THEIR MEDICARE PREMIUMS (USUALLY QUARTERLY) ONCE THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING A BENEFIT.

• But if they qualify for medicaid through eid, their medicare premiums will be covered!

REPORTING EARNINGS – TITLE II• EVERY TITLE II BENEFICIARY THAT WORKS NEEDS TO REPORT TO SOCIAL SECURITY.

• AS SOON AS WORK STARTS, RECIPIENTS SHOULD PROVIDE SSA WITH THEIR EMPLOYER NAME AND THE EMPLOYER’S EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN).

• RECIPIENTS OR REP PAYEES SHOULD THEN REPORT EARNINGS EVERY MONTH THROUGH THEIR my SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS ONLINE.

• THOSE WHO CANNOT REPORT ONLINE CAN SUBMIT COPIES OF PAYSTUBS (WITH SSN WRITTEN) TO THEIR LOCAL SSA OFFICE.

• RECIPIENTS WITH IRWES AND/OR SUBSIDIES TO REPORT AND THOSE WHO HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS OF UNREPORTED EARNINGS CAN SUBMIT A WORK ACTIVITY REPORT FORM (SSA-821).

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER…

• EVERY TITLE II BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED TO THESE WORK INCENTIVES BUT SOME INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE ALREADY WORKED THROUGH SOME OR ALL OF THE PHASES FROM PAST WORK!!!

• IT’S IMPORTANT TO ASK ABOUT PREVIOUS WORK. DON’T ASSUME EVERYONEIS STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING OF PHASE I.

• TRY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT PAST WORK AND ADVOCATE FOR BENEFITS COUNSELING, ESPECIALLY WHEN INDIVIDUALS HAVE A WORK HISTORY!

• DIFFERENT RULES APPLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SELF-EMPLOYED!

Making Employment Work – Part IIFriday April 17, 20209:00am – 12:15pm

Remember, you must attend Session II as wellin order to obtain a certificate!

Questions or concerns please contact:Lauren Horner

lauren.horner@Maryland.gov