Overview of Social Security Work Incentives Assistance

Employment Resource Coordinators are available to help you with benefit planning and other assistance, including the following:

Benefits counseling, services, and supports are offered to clients actively enrolled with DSHS/DDD and entitled to Social Security benefits. This assistance is designed to:

• Focus on the enhancement of self-sufficiency and independence through informed choice
• Promote work preparation, attachment, and advancement
• Result in decreased reliance on public benefit programs and increased financial well-being.

King County is available to help in two ways:

1. Public presentations to educate individuals, families, and field-professionals about Social Security rules and possibilities of employment within those rules
2. Individual meetings to discuss personal goals and explain options of reaching employment goals based on personal choice, finances, and the rules of Social Security. An Employment Resource Coordinator will review your earned and unearned income and discuss your financial and employment options with you.

Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)

A PASS is a flexible tool that allows individuals with disabilities to set aside income and/or resources in order to obtain items or services that would help them return to work or increase their ability to support themselves by earning more. A PASS can be established to cover the costs of obtaining an education, receiving vocational training, starting a business, or purchasing services which enable individuals to work and result in reduction / cessation of benefits.

Any person who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or receives Social Security Disability (SSDI) and could qualify for SSI, is eligible for a PASS.

The PASS plan offers an excellent means of helping individuals achieve their work goals. The success of a PASS plan depends on careful management. Individuals and families may shy away from PASS plans, due to a fear of the rules and management required.

King County can help! King County offers to manage PASS accounts, thereby:

• Ending the risk of overpayment or underpayment of Social Security benefits to recipients during the PASS plan period
• Monitoring that all employment goals are successfully met (or amended) as specifically defined in the PASS plan
• Providing funds to pay for start-up costs, to be reimbursed through PASS
• Assuring the management of funds complies with the rules

Social Security Trainings

2010 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Work Incentives here

2010 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Social Security Disabled Adult Child (SSDAC), and Work Incentives here

For information contact Scott Leonard.