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SI 00870.020: Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Field Office Procedure

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  • Effective Dates: 12/14/2016 - Present
  • Effective Dates: 05/15/2018 - Present
  • TN 9 (07-00)
  • TN 15 (05-18)
  • SI 00870.020 PASS Procedure—Field Offices
  • SI 00870.020 Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Field Office Procedure
  • A. Procedure — Handling Inquiries About PASS
  • A. Handling PASS inquiries
  • Provide an overview of PASS to an individual who inquires about PASS or is likely candidate for a PASS per SI 00870.003B.1. Also explain role of the PASS expert to the individual and give the person the expert's toll-free number if the person would like additional information. If the person would like to pursue a PASS, follow the appropriate instructions in SI 00870.004 and SI 00870.005.
  • When a beneficiary inquires about PASS or is a likely PASS candidate, see SI 00870.003B.1;
  • * explain the role of the PASS Cadre; and
  • * give the beneficiary the Cadre’s contact information if he or she would like additional information.
  • B. Procedure — Individual Submits a PASS
  • B. Policy for developing a PASS
  • Follow the procedures below when an individual submits a PASS request:
  • Each region has a PASS Cadre that includes one or more PASS Specialist(s) or Area Work Incentive Coordinator(s) (AWIC). In most instances, a PASS Specialist or AWIC will be the SSA employee who assists the beneficiary in developing a PASS.
  • C. Procedure for developing a PASS
  • If the beneficiary has a work goal he or she wishes to pursue and is interested in applying for a PASS, provide them with the Form SSA-545-BK, Plan to Achieve Self Support application located in Exhibit 1 SI 00870.100. Additionally, provide the PASS Cadre contact information (follow regional procedures) along with a postage-paid business reply envelope. If the beneficiary prefers to access the application and Cadre information electronically, provide the following web addresses:
  • SSA-545 Application: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-545.pdf
  • PASS Cadre location: https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/passcadre.htm
  • If the beneficiary has questions regarding the completion of the PASS application, he or she can contact the PASS Cadre. Inform the beneficiary that the Cadre member might contact him or her directly if they need additional information to develop the plan.
  • If the beneficiary does not have a work goal but is interested in pursuing a PASS, refer the beneficiary to a Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) agency, Ticket to Work program Employment Network (EN), or the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency.
  • Provide the beneficiary with information about WIPA and EN organizations using the link www.choosework.ssa.gov
  • D. Beneficiary submits a PASS application
  • When a beneficiary submits a PASS application, take the following steps:
  • Step
  • Action
  • 1
  • Thoroughly review the material submitted. If a SSA-545-BK is received, ensure that it is properly completed (see SI 00870.023 regarding completion of the SSA-545-BK).
  • Review the material submitted. If a Field Office (FO) receives the SSA-545-BK, ensure that the beneficiary fully completed the form. Regarding completion of the SSA-545-BK, see SI 00870.023.
  • 2
  • Accept any appropriate documentation presented at the time of the interview.
  • Accept any relevant documentation presented at the time of the interview.
  • 3
  • If the individual does not already receive SSI, obtain a full SSI application (the SSA-545-BK is a protective writing). Be sure to advise the PASS expert that an application was taken.
  • If the beneficiary does not already receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, obtain a full SSI application. The SSA-545-BK is a protective writing. Advise the PASS Cadre when the application is taken.
  • 4
  • Request any additional documentation you know is needed (e.g., a business plan for a PASS involving a self-employment goal).
  • Request any additional necessary documentation for the SSI initial claim (e.g., bank records, pay stubs).
  • 5
  • Tell the individual that the documentation can be copied and forwarded to the PASS expert by the FO, or that the person can mail it directly to the PASS expert. Give the individual a postage-paid envelope addressed to the servicing site.
  • Inform the beneficiary that a FO employee can copy any documentation and forward it to the PASS Cadre, or that he or she can mail it directly to the PASS Cadre. Give the beneficiary a postage-paid envelope addressed to the servicing site if available.
  • 6
  • Give the individual the toll-free telephone number for the servicing PASS expert(s).
  • Give the beneficiary the toll-free telephone number for the servicing PASS Cadre.
  • 7
  • Photocopy the SSA-545-BK (or other written PASS request) and any accompanying PASS material.
  • 8
  • You may use Exhibit 2 in SI 00870.100, the FO PASS Transmittal Sheet, to forward the PASS material to the PASS expert. Unless you fax the material to the PASS expert servicing your field office, forward the SSA-545-BK and any accompanying material to the PASS expert on the day it is received or the next working day. If you request additional documentation from the individual, let the PASS expert know what was requested. Keep the photocopy (or the original if faxed) on file for future reference or in case the individual calls at the office regarding the PASS.
  • Use Exhibit 2, the Route Slip from FO, in SI 00870.100, to forward all PASS material to the PASS Cadre. Fax the SSA-545-BK and any accompanying material in WorkTrack on the day you receive it or the next working day. If you request additional documentation from the beneficiary, let the PASS Cadre know what you requested. Additionally, store the photocopy (or the original if faxed) in the Non-Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRed) or the Certified Electronic Folder (CEF) in the non-disability development (orange) section for future reference.
  • 9
  • Once the PASS Cadre makes a decision, the PASS specialist will inform the FO of the outcome. The FO can then adjudicate the SSI claim accordingly once all development is completed.
  • C. Procedure — Reconsideration Request
  • E. Request for reconsideration
  • 1. Case Review
  • After the beneficiary has submitted the PASS application, the PASS Cadre will review it, and approve or deny the application. Denial of a PASS application is an initial determination, and subject to appeal. If you receive an SSA-561-U2, Request for Reconsideration, or documentation requesting an appeal on a denied PASS application, take the following steps:
  • Forward a request for a reconsideration that involves a case review of a PASS decision, along with any material submitted, to the servicing PASS expert for the individual. Advise the individual that a PASS expert, other than the person who made the initial determination, will review the case.
  • 1. Case review
  • 2. Request for a Conference
  • If the beneficiary requests a case review, forward a SSA-561-U2, along with any material submitted, to the servicing PASS Cadre. Advise the beneficiary that a PASS Specialist or AWIC, other than the person who made the initial determination will review the case.
  • If the individual requests an informal conference, ascertain whether a teleconference would be acceptable to the individual. If acceptable, determine the best time and phone number to contact the individual. Forward this information, along with the reconsideration request and any material submitted, to the servicing PASS expert for the individual, using Exhibit 2 in SI 00870.100. Advise the individual that a PASS expert, other than the one who made the initial determination, will be contacting the individual by telephone.
  • 2. Request for a conference
  • If the individual has pertinent material to submit, the expert may ask the person to bring or mail the material to the servicing FO. If the person comes or mails the material to the FO, fax or mail the material to the expert. (See SI 00870.045 for instructions pertaining to the PASS expert's role.)
  • If the beneficiary requests an informal conference, determine whether a teleconference would be acceptable. If acceptable, determine the best time and phone number to contact the beneficiary. Forward this information, along with the reconsideration request and any material submitted, to the servicing PASS Cadre, using Exhibit 2 in SI 00870.100. Advise the beneficiary that a PASS Specialist or AWIC, other than the one who made the initial determination, will contact him or her by telephone.
  • If the individual insists that the conference be conducted in person and no PASS expert is available locally, refer the case to the manager of the servicing FO for handling. The manager may delegate the handling of the case to a FO employee at least equal in grade to the employee who made the initial determination. This FO employee:
  • * conducts the conference;
  • * makes the decision;
  • * makes any corresponding changes to the SSR; and
  • If the beneficiary has pertinent material to submit, a PASS Specialist may ask the person to bring or mail the material to the servicing FO. If the beneficiary brings in or mails the material to the FO, fax or mail the material to the PASS Cadre. For instructions pertaining to the PASS Specialist's role, see SI 00870.045.
  • issues the notice to the individual and sends a copy of the notice and any other materials to the PASS expert;
  • * performs all of the above in consultation with the servicing PASS expert.
  • If the beneficiary insists on an in-person conference and there is not a PASS Specialist available within the service area, refer the matter to the manager of the servicing FO for handling. The manager may delegate the handling of the matter to a FO employee who is at least equal in grade to the employee who made the initial determination. This FO employee consults with the servicing PASS Cadre and will:
  • * conduct the conference;
  • * make the decision;
  • * make any corresponding changes to the Supplemental Security Record;
  • * issues the notice to the beneficiary; and
  • * send a copy of the notice and any other materials to the PASS Cadre.
  • NOTE: The FO manager may designate a lower-graded employee to assist with these activities, but this employee may not make the decision.
  • NOTE: Management may designate a lower-graded employee to assist with these activities, but this employee may not make the reconsideration decision.
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