SI 00870.003:
Initiating a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Discussion
Effective Dates: 05/14/2015 - Present- Effective Dates: 02/06/2018 - Present
TN 9 (07-00)- TN 13 (02-18)
SI 00870.003 Initiating a PASS Discussion- SI 00870.003 Initiating a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Discussion
A. Policy – PASS discussion- A. Policy for initiating a PASS discussion
SSA will initiate a discussion about PASS with anyone who is a likely candidate. If an individual, who is an unlikely candidate for a PASS indicates an interest, SSA staff will discuss PASS with them as well.- The Social Security Administration (SSA) staff should recognize likely PASS candidates and inform them about PASS and other work incentives. If an individual inquires about PASS, staff should answer general questions and make a proper referral to the regional PASS Cadre.
NOTE: Although in most cases, the PASS expert will have the discussion with the individual, other field office (FO) staff should familiarize themselves with the material in SI 00870.003B. - SI 00870.003C., SI 00870.004, and SI 00870.005.- NOTE: Although in most cases, the PASS Specialist has the discussion with the individual, other field office (FO) staff should be familiar with the instructions in SI 00870.003B and SI 00870.003C in this section.
- B. List of persons who may benefit from a PASS
- 1. Likely PASS candidates
The most likely candidates for a PASS are individuals who are blind or disabled and:* are already receiving rehabilitation services (training counseling, therapy) from a:State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency;State agency for the blind;public agency (e.g. Department of Veterans Affairs); orprivate agency (e.g. United Cerebral Palsy);- The most likely PASS candidates are individuals who are blind or disabled and:
- * are already receiving rehabilitation services (training, counseling, or therapy) from a:
- * State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency;
- * State agency for the blind;
- * Public agency (Department of Veterans Affairs); or
- * Private agency, Employment Network (EN), or Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) agency.
- * are in school or training programs;
* are currently working or seeking work including self-employment (consider all section 1619(a) and (b) participants);- * are currently working or seeking work, including self-employment (consider all section 1619(a) participants);
- * express an interest in rehabilitation;
- * express an interest in becoming self-supporting;
* would otherwise have initial eligibility denied or continued eligibility suspended or terminated solely due to excess income (including title II benefits) or resources including a person whose resources are below the SSI limits but exceed those for a state-administered supplement program and the State will recognize the PASS exclusion; or* otherwise would have benefits reduced due to income.- * have income in excess of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate (including title II benefits) or resources that exceed the SSI resource limit. This provision includes individuals whose resources are below the SSI limit, but exceed the limit for state-administered supplement programs where the state recognizes the PASS exclusion; or
- * have benefits reduced due to income.
- 2. Unlikely PASS candidates
Individuals who, although being blind or having a disability, usually may not qualify for or benefit from a PASS include those who:* already secured the needed items and services under a PASS and have not tried to seek employment in the work goal for which they obtained the required items or services that they identified as being sufficient to make them employable (although such individuals might benefit from resuming the PASS per SI 00870.080) in order to secure the work goal);- Blind or disabled individuals who may not qualify or benefit from a PASS include those who:
- * already secured the necessary items and services under a prior PASS and have not tried to seek employment in that PASS plan’s work goal (although such individuals might benefit from resuming the PASS per SI 00870.080 in order to secure employment within the original goal);
- * are ineligible for SSI benefits for any reason other than excess income or resources;
* are under age 15;* do not have any income or resources to set aside and do not expect to have any;* are unwilling to use set aside funds strictly for the PASS; or* do not require any additional items or services to become employed.- * are under age 15 or over full retirement age;
- * do not have, or expect to have, any income or resources to set aside;
- * are unwilling to use set-aside funds strictly for PASS; or
- * do not require any additional items or services to go to work.
NOTE: Be sensitive to the person’s situation when discussing the inappropriateness of a PASS for an individual who is not considered a likely candidate for a PASS.- NOTE: Be sensitive to the person’s situation when discussing PASS. Refer any individual who expresses an interest in PASS to the PASS Cadre for a more in-depth discussion or formal decision.
C. Procedure- C. Procedure to discuss the benefits of a PASS
- 1. Discuss benefits of a PASS
Emphasize the following benefits of a PASS to the beneficiary:* The Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to help people become self-supporting; and* Under certain conditions blind and disabled individuals can work and still receive SSI and/or Medicaid (See SI 00870.010 for a discussion of the relationship of PASS to other work incentives.)* under a PASS the individual can set aside income or resources (including deemed income and resources) which would otherwise affect eligibility and/or payment amount provided that these set aside funds are used by the person to obtain items or services needed to reach an occupational objective (i.e., a work goal);* SSA is willing to help people develop a plan or refer them to an organization that can be of help in setting up a plan;* the individual must decide what occupational objective to pursue;* when setting aside income/resources sufficient funds should be retained for living expenses (including any anticipated SSI monies); and* the individual must follow his/her plan to reach the work goal and use the set aside funds only to reach the goal.- Emphasize the following attributes of a PASS to the beneficiary:
- * SSA is committed to helping people become self-supporting;
- * under certain circumstances, blind and disabled individuals can work and still receive SSI and Medicaid (see SI 00870.010 for a discussion of the relationship of PASS to other work incentives);
- * under a PASS the individual can set aside income and resources (including deemed income and resources) which would otherwise affect eligibility or payment amount, provided these set aside funds are used by the individual to obtain items or services that will allow them to reach an occupational objective (a work goal);
- * we help individuals develop a plan or refer them to an organization, such as a State VR agency or a WIPA agency, for help in setting up a plan;
- * the individual decides what occupational objective or goal to pursue;
- * when setting aside income/resources, the individual will retain sufficient funds for living expenses (including any anticipated SSI monies); and
- * the individual must follow the steps outlined in their plan to reach the work goal and use the set aside funds only for approved PASS expenses.
- 2. Interaction of PASS and other benefits
If the individual receives other benefits (not from SSA) advise the individual that:* income and resources set aside under a PASS may be counted under assistance programs administered by other agencies. Advise the person to check with the other agency to determine the effect if any a PASS may have on the other benefit. In most cases Medicaid, food stamps and housing assistance provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will exclude income and resources set aside under a PASS;* returning to work may affect other benefits. The person should check with the administering agency to determine what effect, if any, working may have on the other benefit; and* SSI eligibility and a PASS will end if the person medically improves (see SI 02301.200).- If the individual receives title II benefits, we inform the individual that a PASS does not affect regular title II work provisions. While participating in PASS, an individual may still use trial work months and enter into an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). Title II benefits cease if the individual works above the substantial gainful activity level (SGA) in the EPE.
- If the individual receives benefits from another organization, advise the individual that:
- * income and resources set aside under a PASS may be counted under assistance programs administered by other agencies. Recommend the individual check with the other agency to determine the effect a PASS may have on the other benefit. In most cases, Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development exclude income and resources set aside under a PASS;
- * returning to work may affect other benefits. The individual should check with the administering agency to determine what effect, if any, wages may have on the other benefit; and
- * SSI and PASS eligibility may end if the person medically improves (see SI 02301.200).
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