OREGON S WORK INCENTIVE NETWORK (WIN) When you work, you WIN! This presentation is sponsored by The Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA #93.768). Updated January 2010
Work Incentive Planning Services 1. MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS about work and individual s benefits; 2. USE WORK INCENTIVES to achieve individual s employment goals; and 3. NAVIGATE THE BENEFITS SYSTEMS when individual begins working.
Work Incentive Planning Services: An Essential Employment Support A one stop source of information and assistance. Reduce fear and misunderstanding about the effect of working on benefits. Prevents crises that result when change occurs. Improves employment and economic outcomes through: Increased employment rates; Increased earnings; and Decreased medical expenses.
A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES 1. Interested in working, but no job goal: General information and referral. 2. Identified a job goal, but not working yet: Comprehensive Intake and Work Incentive Analysis. 3. Secured job: Implementing work incentive and reporting earned income. 4. Life changes: Ongoing support with using work incentive and/or wage reporting assistance.
A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATORS PROVIDE: General work incentive information and community service/vocational referrals; A Comprehensive Intake when needed; In depth benefits and work incentive planning assistance, including a written Work Incentives plan; Assistance strategizing the use of various work incentives; Assistance utilizing work incentives; and Ongoing support to those working and utilizing work incentives.
IT TAKES A TEAM TO REMOVE THIS BARRIER You can t do your job AND be a Work Incentive Expert.... BUT YOU CAN: 1. Let people know there are WORK INCENTIVES that support their employment efforts; 2. Recognize MYTHS and communicate FACTS; and 3. Encourage people to connect to WIN or to their local WIPA Project for more individualized analysis.
ACCESSING SERVICES Meet the Work Incentive Coordinators in your area: Contact the staff in your area to do onsite informational sessions for your company/agency WIPA projects available in every state: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate Additional services (other funding) available in some states: www.win oregon.com
SOME BASIC TERMS TO KNOW SSA: Social Security Administration SSI: Supplemental Security Income SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance WORK INCENTIVES: Both federal and state specific programs that are available to people with disabilities, even those not on SSI or SSDI in return to work efforts.
THE BASICS: SSDI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SSDI Cash Benefit: Be disabled by SSA definition: and Be insured or draw off insured worker who is disabled, retired, deceased. Amount varies based on work history. No asset test. SSDI Health Care: Medicare (after 24 month waiting period).
SSI Cash THE BASICS: SSI PAYMENT AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Disabled by SSA definition; Little to no assets; under $2,000 for an individual, $3000 for a couple; Little to no income; and Benefit Amount for 2011 is $674, $1,011 for a couple, reduced by other income. SSI Health Care Medicaid.
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #1: I will lose my SSDI if I go to work FACT #1: Work Incentives let you keep SSDI cash check or status when you work! Trial Work Period (time limited) Impairment Related Work Expenses Subsidy/Unincurred Business Expense
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #2: If wages cause SSDI cash benefit to stop, there s no way to get it back FACT #2: You can stay in eligibility status even when you don t get a cash check! Extended Period of Eligibility Expedited Reinstatement
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #3: I will lose my SSI if I go to work FACT #3: Work Incentives let you keep SSI cash check or status when you work! Basic Deductions: SSI reduced $1 for every $2 after first $65/$85 Additional Deductions let you keep more: IRWE, BWE, SEIE, PASS
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #4: If wages cause SSI cash benefit to stop, there s no way to get it back FACT #4: You can stay in eligibility status even when you don t get a cash check! 1619(b) (annual threshold varies by state) Expedited Reinstatement
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #5: If I go back to work I will lose my medical Fact #5: You can keep medical when you work! SSI/Medicaid 1619(b) Medicaid Buy In program Continuation of Medicare Medicare for People With Disabilities Who Work
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #6: There is no incentive for students to try working Fact #6: Students have a special rule that lets them keep more of their SSI when they work! Student Earned Income Exclusion
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #7: There aren t any resources to help me reach self sufficiency Fact #7: There ARE work incentives that will match funds you set aside to pay for expenses related to a vocational goal! Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
8 MYTHS AND THE REAL FACTS Myth #8: Working always results in overpayments Fact #8: There are strategies to prevent Report regularly overpayments! Get a receipt from SSA to document you reported Get assistance from a Work Incentive Coordinator for help developing a strategy and reporting earned income
INVOLVING YOUR EMPLOYMENT TEAM Don t try to do this alone TIP: Incorporate this service in the vocational rehabilitation process Oregon collaborations (examples): OVRS Mental Health Supported Employment initiative Employment First initiative
QUESTIONS? CALL THE WORK INCENTIVE PLANNING STAFF IN YOUR AREA! For more information on the Work Incentive Network: www.win oregon.com For more information on Disability Rights Oregon Planning for Work: http://www.disabilityrightsoregon.org/programs.php