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Helping You Today so You Succeed Tomorrow
Ticket to Work
Free Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work
Work Incentives Seminar Event
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Time: 3:00-4:30 pm EST

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Accessing Today’s Webinar

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Webinar Accessibility

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The webinar presentation, transcript, and audio recording will be available in approximately two weeks on our website www.choosework.net.

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Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
	Jayme Pendergraft, NDI Consulting
Ticket to Work: Debunking the Three Biggest Myths about Disability Benefits and Work
	Marlene Ulisky, National Disability Institute
The Ticket to Work Program and Work Incentives
	Kendra Berry, Indiana Works
Additional Resources and Questions & Answers
	Presentation Team

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance
 
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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Supplemental Security Income

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance
Supplemental Security Income

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Debunking the Three Biggest Myths about Disability Benefits and Work

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If I try to go to work, I will automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid. 

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As long as you keep receiving a benefit check of any amount, you will keep your Medicare or Medicaid and may be able to keep it once your cash benefits stop.

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How do earnings affect my Medicaid?

For SSI recipients, you may qualify for Continued Medicaid Eligibility (1619(b)) if you:

Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least 1 month;
Continue to meet Social Security’s definition of disabled; and
Still meet all other non-disability SSI requirements; and
Need Medicaid benefits to continue to work; and
Have gross earnings that are below your state’s threshold of eligibility.

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How does work affect my Medicaid?

Your state may allow you to buy Medicaid if you are disabled and no longer entitled to free Medicaid because you are earning money through work.
You may qualify if you:

Meet the definition of “disabled” under the Social Security Act; and
Would be eligible for SSI payments if it were not for your earnings.

If you are no longer receiving SSI, your state decides if you are disabled. Your state will not consider whether you are working when it makes that decision.

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How does work affect my Medicare?

Most SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities who work will continue to receive at least 93 consecutive months of:  

Hospital Insurance (Part A); 
Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B), if enrolled; and 
Prescription Drug coverage (Part D), if enrolled.

You do not pay a premium for Part A.

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How does work affect my Medicare?

The 93 months start the month after the last month of your Trial Work Period. To qualify, you must already have Medicare and be working at Substantial Gainful Activity, but not be medically improved.
Although cash benefits may stop due to work, you know Medicare will continue. (93 months is 7 years and 9 months).

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How does work affect my Medicare?

If you are under age 65, disabled, and no longer entitled to free Medicare Hospital Insurance Part A because you successfully returned to work, you may be eligible for a program that helps pay your Medicare Part A monthly premium.

To be eligible for this help, you must:
	Continue to have a disabling impairment, and 
	Sign up for premium hospital insurance (PART A), and 
	Have limited income, and 
	Have limited resources, and
	Not already be eligible for Medicaid.

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How can you get more information?

For help, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (V) or 1-877-486-2048 (TTY).
You will be asked for your Medicare number and transferred to the main menu.  Choose “other choices” and then “another question.”
You will be transferred to a representative.  Be prepared to tell them your state and to write down a toll-free number for additional information.

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Meet Debra!

Debra was worried about losing her Medicare if she went to work: “Today I could be well, and tomorrow I could be in the hospital on a ventilator. I was afraid of what would happen if I got sick.”
Once Debra learned about work incentives, she felt at ease knowing she was not going to suddenly lose her Medicare coverage and SSDI cash benefits when she returned to work. 

Learn more about Debra! http://www.chooseworkttw.net/library/debra-corse-success-story 

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If I use my Ticket to go to work, Social Security will conduct a medical review of my case, and I will lose my benefits.

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If you participate in the Ticket to Work program with either an Employment Network or your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, and make timely progress following your individual work plan, Social Security will postpone your medical continuing disability review (CDR).

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What is Timely Progress Review? 

Social Security completes a Timely Progress Review (TPR) to measure your success in achieving your work goals.

You and your Employment Team create an Individual Work Plan (IWP) that describes your work, education, and/or training goals.
Every 12 months, Social Security reviews the progress you have made toward your work goals.

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An Example of Timely Progress (TPR) Requirements from Social Security’s
Redbook

You are making timely progress if, at your first 12-month review, you have: 
Worked 3 out of 12 months at the Trial Work Period earnings level.
Completed 60% of a full-time course load for 1 year toward a degree or certification, technical, trade or vocational program.
The number of months per year that you work, and the amount of completion toward your degree, certification, technical, trade or vocational program increase with each 12-month review.

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If you do not meet the TPR requirements:

You can continue to participate in Ticket to Work, and
Your cash and Medicare or Medicaid benefits will not be affected.

However, you will no longer be excused from a scheduled medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR) when Social Security decides you are due for one.

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If my checks stop because I go to work and then I have to stop working because of my disability, I will have to reapply for benefits all over again. It took me forever to be approved for benefits and I cannot afford to wait that long again.  As a result, I should not try to work.

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You will not need to reapply if your benefits ended within the past five years due to your earnings and you meet a few other Social Security requirements.

This work incentive is called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR).

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What is Expedited Reinstatement?

EXR is a Work Incentive that applies to both SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.

EXR offers a fast track to benefits reinstatement if you worked your way off benefits and make the reinstatement request within 5 years after your benefits stopped.

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What is Expedited Reinstatement?

While Social Security reviews your benefits reinstatement request, you: 

are eligible to receive temporary benefits for up to 6 months unless Social Security determines you are no longer disabled, and
may also be eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid during this period.

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Meet Megan!

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Megan’s Journey to Financial Independence
2008: Diagnosed with clinical depression
2010: Connected with Employment Network
2011: Successfully working.  Begins Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), and cash benefits stop.
2013: Work ends during EPE. Cash benefits re-start without new application.
2014: Back to work as Zumba instructor

Learn more about Megan! http://www.chooseworkttw.net/library/megan-riggs-success-story-part-1

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Social Security’s Ticket To Work Program

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Supports career development for people with disabilities who want to work
Is for disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64
Is free and voluntary

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The Ticket to Work Program
Taking the Next Step

Gathering information and resources is key to planning your journey toward employment.
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives can help make your journey a smooth one.

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Starting the Journey
Only you can decide if work is the right choice for you.

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Why Choose Work?
Earn more income
Gain independence
Meet new people
Learn new skills

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Work Incentives

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Work Incentives
Work Incentives are special Social Security rules that allow you to:

Receive training for new skills
Improve the skills you already have
Pursue your education
Try different jobs
Start a career
Gain confidence

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Additional Resources	

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For More Information
Call the Ticket to Work Help Line:
•	•	1-866-968-7842 (V)
•	•	1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
Visit:
•	•	www.socialsecurity.gov/work
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Connect:
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/choosework
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chooseworkssa
Watch Ticket to Work Videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/choosework
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticket-to-work 

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Find Help Tool
Visit: www.choosework.net/findhelp to search for the right service provider for you. 
You can search by:
ZIP code
Services offered
Disability types
Languages spoken
Provider type (EN, Workforce EN, VR, WIPA or PABSS)

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