Pursuing Work Goals While Receiving SSI & SSDI

One of the employment supports offered by the Social Security Administration for SSI and SSDI recipients is the “Plan to Achieve Self Support” (PASS) program. The PASS program allows you to set aside other income besides your SSI, and resources for a specified period of time in order to allow you to pursue a work goal that may ultimately reduce or eliminate your SSI or SSDI benefits you currently receive (however, your eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid may continue). Income and resources that you set aside under PASS is not counted when considering your eligibility for SSI or figuring your SSI payment amount. Individuals who receive SSI or could qualify for SSI by putting aside income and resources can benefit from the PASS program

The requirements of the PASS program are the following:

·      Your plan to achieve self-support must be in writing. Social Security Administration prefers you use their form SSA-545-BK: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-545.pdf ;

·      You must have a specific work goal that you are capable of achieving and have a specific timeframe to reach your goal;

·      Demonstrate the income and resources that will assist you in reaching your goal and how you will use them;

·      Demonstrate how the funds you set aside will be kept separate from your other income and resources; and

·      Your plan must be approved by Social Security Administration (SSA).

At Picasso Einstein, LLC we are able to help you set up your Plan to Achieve Self-Support. Once the plan is approved by SSA, you’ll be on the path to independence!

                                                               Written by Minerva Vazquez

                                                               2013 Red Book

                                                                                    Social Security Administration