Disaboom General Resources Articles

New Fire Publication Helps People with Disabilities Get Prepared for Emergencies

Dmarsh — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:37:00 GMT

Are you one of over 21 million mobility-impaired Americans who worry that a fire could leave you in the hot seat? The United Spinal Association has just released a free booklet, “Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users at Work and Home,” that will help you plan for the unexpected.

The pamphlet is available in Spanish or English, and can be downloaded online at United Spinal’s website by clicking on “Publications.” It was written for a variety of groups, including:

          • Persons who use wheelchairs or who have other mobility impairments
          • Fire, safety, and building code officials
          • Emergency plan coordinators
          • Building owners and managers
          • Employers and supervisors
          • Office fire marshals

Summary of Contents

Mobility Impairments in the Workplace. According to the pamphlet, it’s important to have a plan that is specific to your building and degree of mobility. Each floor should have an area of refuge: a safe area to go and await rescue personnel. Ideally, it will have a phone so you can communicate with others.

The booklet also addresses stairway measurements to ensure safe transport of someone occupying a wheelchair in the event they have to be carried to safety. “Means of egress” elevators provide wheelchair access and can take someone to another floor, even when power in the rest of the building is out.

Finally, the publication lists preferred protocols and procedures in the event of evacuation.

Emergency Preparedness in the Home. This section discusses what to do before a fire occurs, including where to put heat and smoke detectors, as well as how to maintain them. It’s also critical to have a wheelchair accessible evacuation/exit plan and fire extinguishers inside the home. Remember that they’re no good unless you know how to use them.

In case a home fire occurs, follow these three steps:

1.   Test doors for heat before you open them with the back of your hand. If they’re hot, use another means of exit. Stay as low as possible, and cover your nose and mouth.
2.   Exit your home as quickly as possible. Call the fire department and get help from friends and neighbors.
3.   If you are trapped, close doors between you and the fire, and stuff cracks to prevent smoke from entering. Call the fire department. When they arrive, wave a light-colored cloth out the window of your room to help them find you.

Having a cell phone with you at all times, even when you’re in the shower, can help to keep you safe.

The booklet wraps up with practical tips for fire prevention, and a list of resources for people with disabilities.

For your own safety, let employers know about this publication and read it yourself. Someday, your life may depend on it.

Transportation Resources

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Associations

Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED)
www.aded.net
Since 1977, ADED has worked to help people with disabilities learn to drive and help professionals learn to teach people to drive who need modification. The site provides information on certification, fact sheets, scholarships, etc. Free newsletter, “News Brake.”

Disabled Drivers & Passengers, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
www.nhtsa.gov
This section of the government site provides info on rules and regulations regarding driving with a disability. The research reports range from safety assessments to literature reviews.

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)
www.nmeda.org
NMEDA is a non-profit trade association that works to provide persons of a disability in finding transportation, whether it me modification of their vehicles or transportation provided by others. Under the member directory, visitors to the site can find a dealer near them to assist them in modifying their vehicle.

Easter Seals Project ACTION
http://www.projectaction.org
The website for Project Action is a U.S. DOT & FTA funded program to address accessible transportation in the community. Easter Seals Project ACTION works to bring together transportation and the disability community. Offers information on taxis, fact sheets, accessible rural transportation and accessible travel info.

U.S. Department of Transportation
www.fta.dot.gov
Website for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Agency (FTA). Here you can find information on rule making, ADA complaint forms, completed compliance review reports, Letters of Finding responding to riders’ complaints, and current policy guidance.

Web Resources

Car Talk
www.cartalk.cars.com
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Special-Needs/
This section of Car Talk provides information for special needs drivers. Covers basic information, applicable to those who are new to adaptive driving. Question and answer section, remarkable stories section in which people with disabilities tell their car stories, additional resource section as well.

Mobility Advisor
www.mobility-advisor.com
This site provides information on general mobility. From wheelchairs to ramps to accessible cars, mobility advisor provides a number of articles on many mobility topics. Also a small section on wheelchairs for dogs. Live chat room and an area to donate wheelchairs.

Ride Safe
www.travelsafer.org/
This site gives information for wheelchair users on using public transportation. Gives simple step-by-step directions for strapping down a wheelchair, so the passenger may ride safely. The Glossary terms provides all the vocabulary one would need in discussing this procedure.

United We Ride
http://www.unitedweride.gov/
The United We Ride (UWR) new website for the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). Assessment and planning section provides information for the user on transportation planning, handbooks, and toolkits. Technical assistance tab.

Military Resources

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:14:00 GMT

Disability Info.gov: Veterans & Military Community
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov
Page of resources for veterans with disabilities. This page is specific to accessible housing and assistive technology in relation to veterans with disabilities. Information on charities and organizations that provide accessible housing for veterans. Includes information on home loans; fact sheets, FAQ’s.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
http://www.dav.org/
This organization is funded by membership and donations. The DAV provides free assistance to veterans to disabilities in gaining benefits they are entitled to. Also assists widows. Special section on homeless vets, disaster relief, office directories and chapters.

DOD Veterans
http://www.dodvets.com/index.asp
Disabled Veterans: Opportunities to Use Your Abilities. Supported by the Department of Defense, the DOD helps veterans gain employment. Helps veterans get the education and skills they need via scholarships and grants.

Vocational Rehab and Employment Program
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
This page is a division of the Department of Veteran Affairs. It gives information about all the benefits distributed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Discusses the organizations within the VA, VA Facilities, How to Contact the VA, and Application for Benefits Online. This is the place one can go to apply for benefits.

Office of Veterans Business Development
http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/index.html
”The mission of the Office of Veterans Business Development is to maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their Dependents or Survivors.” The Services tab on the site includes financial assistance (grants, loans), training, laws, counseling, etc. The Tools tab includes a library and resources section, web chat, and forms. Local Resources provides information on resources by state.

National Military Family Association
www.nmfa.org
This site is dedicated to helping family members of the military find resources. Information on benefits, education, deployment, government info, etc. Checklists for family, employment and educational assistance for spouses. Military family book review section for wives and children.

Blinded Veterans Association
www.bva.org
BVA Bulletin; 10,500 members
The BVA is an organization set up to promote the welfare of blinded veterans of America. Through donations, volunteers, and membership, the BVA travels around the country to assist blind veterans. Generally, the help comes through connecting veterans with organizations and services.

Disabled American Veterans
www.dav.org
DAV Magazine; 1,252,000 members

National Amputation Foundation
www.nationalamputation.org
The Amp; 1,100 members

Marine Corps League
www.mcleague.org
Marine Corps League Magazine; 70,000 members

National Veterans Legal Services Program
www.nvlsp.org
Veterans Benefits Manual; no members

Paralyzed Veterans of America
www.pva.org
Paraplegia News, Sports ‘N Spokes; 21,000 members
Annual convention, Aug

United Spinal Assocation
www.unitedspinal.org
Orbit; 6,343 members

Veterans of the Vietnam War / Vets Coalition
www.vvnw.org
The Veteran Leader; 15,000 members

Vietnam Veterans of America
www.wva.org
The VVA Veteran; 45,000 members

Women’s Army Corps Veterans Assn.
www.armywomen.org
The Channel; 2,200 membership

Assistive Technology/Adaptive Technology Resources

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Associations

Family Guide to Assistive Technology
http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html
Provides overview of AT options for parents whose children may benefit from AT. In addition, parents are guided through the maze of advocacy and funding options. See the glossary of terms related to AT, which will help parents speak knowledgably with AT vendors and service providers.

HomeMods.org
www.homemods.org
Offers strategies and products to help people age-in-place. Information for policy-makers, manufacturers, consumers, researchers, etc. Contains a library, links, and online course information. A products section illustrates accessible designs for everyday products.

IDEA Center at Buffalo
http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/Home/index.asp
Home of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design at Buffalo. Includes sections on innovative ideas (“Bright Ideas”), publications, software, and videos on accessibility as well as universal design. Lots of photographs and illustrations.

Inclusive Design Education Resource
http://www.designcouncil.info/inclusivedesignresource/index.html
From the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre Design Council, this site looks at different accessibility issues around the home and recommends solutions. It takes you each step of the way with pictures and discussion.

National Center for Technology Innovation. UD Readings Collection
http://www.nationaltechcenter.org
The NCTI “advances learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities by fostering technology innovation.” Within individual categories, e.g., Universal Design, Assistive Technology, Grant Writing, etc., are multiple topical articles. Conference and expo information can also be found here.

Trace Research and Development Center
http://www.trace.wisc.edu
The Trace Research and Development Center is a part of the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. The center is dedicated to developing ways to make standard information technologies and telecommunications systems more accessible and usable by people with disabilities.

Magazines

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America)
http://www.resna.org/ProfResources/Publications/Publications.php
RESNA’s mission is to “improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology.” RESNA produces three publications: Assistive Technology Journal, Conference Proceedings, and RESNA News. Articles are available online to members or for purchase.

Web Resources

Assistive Tech: National Public Website on Assistive Technology
http://assistivetech.net/index.php
An extensive overview of all things related to AT. Includes an extensive glossary as well as information on products and vendors. Information can be searched by function and activity. Also provides ATWiki, an online encyclopedia of AT information.

ATTO: Assistive Technology Training Online Project
http://atto.buffalo.edu/
Provides information about AT products that assist students with disabilities learn most effectively. Includes an AT decision section to help parents and teachers choose the correct AT product or method.

Books

Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice
By Albert M. Cook and Susan Hussey
Mosby, 2001. ISBN 0323006434
This book offers information on specific assistive technologies for people with a variety of disabilities. Each chapter leads off with an introduction that provides useful background information before launching into the AT specifics. Elaborate illustrations supplement the text.

Assistive Technology: Access for All Students
By Linda Johnston, Larry Beard, and Laura Bowden Carpenter.
Prentice Hall, 2006. 224 p. ISBN 0131175696
A guide based on the principles of Universal Design and aimed primarily at educators of disabled students. The information is also applicable to settings other than the classroom.

Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People With Disabilities
By Marcia J. Scherer
Brookline Books, 2005. 250p. ISBN 1571290982
This book discusses the psychological reactions and coping abilities that disabled people have to assistive technology. It compares the willingness of people to use A.T. based on whether they were born disabled or disabled later in life.

Travel FAQs

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:40:00 GMT

Hotel
Q: What should I find out before booking a hotel room?

A: First, find out how many handicap accessible rooms the hotel has. Then, find out how wide the doors are. Are there ramps throughout the hotel? Do they have shower tub benches to rent? Are there roll-in showers? Ask the concierge if they know where to get a new wheelchair just in case.

Cruises
Q: What should I find out about cruise ship accessibility?

A: Find out if all decks are accessible. Many ships have a water-locked ridge at every doorway; make sure those don’t impede access.
Note: Make sure to inform the doctor on board regarding your condition. Make the contact ahead of time. He/She can then be prepared with any medications or equipment in case of an emergency.

Flying
Q: What do I need to know about flying with a disability?

A: First, find out if they have bulk seating. Do they have moveable seats? Do armrests adjust up and down? Find out the bathroom access. Arrive early to your flights; leave plenty of time for plane changes. Inform the airlines of your disability and needs well ahead of time.

Wheelchairs: if you have an electric chair, make sure it’s the last thing to be loaded and the first thing to come off to decrease the risk of damage. If you have foam batteries, you shouldn’t have any problems. However, if you have acid batteries, they will need to be removed for security purposes. Attach contact information to your chair. Include a diagram and instructions on how to put the chair together. Typically, your chair doesn’t count in your luggage allotment.

If you have any complaints or questions, contact the airline’s Complaint Resolutions Officer (CRO). He/She is trained to help with any problems that may arise. All airlines have one available 24 hours.

Ground Transportation
Q: What do I need to find out about rental cars and ground transportation?

A: Does the rental car company have cars with hand controls? Do they have swivel chairs? If you are using a car with lifts, do the lifts lower all the way to the ground?

General
Q: Before I leave on my trip, what do I need to do?

A: Wheelchair: If your chair breaks, think about having a back-up one available. Bring tools with you for minor repairs. Find out if there is a wheelchair repair shop where you are going. Consider bringing an add-on power unit for your chair.

Bring your own cushion to avoid pressure sores.
Find out if there’s beach access if applicable.
Bring empty water bottles in case your urine bag is full.
Consider purchasing travel insurance. It can cover losses due to cancelled flights, damaged or stolen luggage, etc.
Have a medical card with you about your conditions and what to do if a medical emergency occurs. If you have dysreflexia, plan accordingly. Make sure the bathroom is accessible, and limit your fluids before and during the flight.
Be assertive and direct about your needs. Be empowered—you know what’s best for you and your body, insist that things are done the way you need them.

Resources for Traveling with Disabilities

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Associations

Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality
http://www.sath.org/
SATH mission is to “raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad.” Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support the SATH mission. At website, see especially “Need to Know Facts” and “Travel Tips and Access Information” about specific airlines.

Books
Great American Vacations for Travelers with Disabilities: With Complete Accessibility Information on Hotels, Restaurants, and Attractions. Fodor’s, 1994. 600p. ISBN 06792591X.
Clearly in need of updating, this now out-of-print guide is nevertheless worth a trip to the library for its overview of the most-loved American cities, parks, and resort regions. You’ll need to call specific venues of interest to update the information, but this is still a great starting point.

Harrington, Candy. 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers & Slow Walkers. Candy Harrington, 2007. ISBN 9781932603439.

Harrington, Candy. Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. 2nd ed. Demos Medical Publishing, 2005. 256p. ISBN 1932603093. Practical, informative guide to travel for individuals using wheelchairs or walkers.

Harrington, Candy. There Is Room at the Inn: Inns and B&Bs for Wheelchair Users and Slow Walkers. Demos Medical Publishing, 2006. 256p. ISBN 1932603611.
Reviews of 118 lodgings in 40 states, organized geographically. The entries include Victorian inns, romantic B&Bs, mountain retreats, and a couple of safari parks, among others.

Kennedy, Craig and Andrea Kennedy. Access Anything: I Can Do That! – Adventuring with Disabilities. Outskirts Press, 2007. 180p. ISBN 1432705695.
In addition to highlighting 45 different sports adapted for people with disabilities, Access Anything also includes information and insider tips on plane, car, charter bus, cruise ship, and train travel. Both inspirational and informative.

Magazines
Emerging Horizons: Accessible Travel News
http://emerginghorizons.com
Consumer-oriented quarterly magazine that showcases accessible B&B's, travel health issues, accessibility information; also contains resources and suggestions from other travelers.

Online
Able Traveler
http://www.able-travel.com/guides/index.htm
Overviews of accessibility issues for 26 countries; travel tips; and links to travel service and equipment providers.

Access Travel Center
www.accesstravelcenter.com
Directory of disability-related travel service and product providers, organized by category (e.g., accessible van rentals, transportation, access hotels, medical transportation, vacation rentals, etc.).

Access-Able Travel Source
www.access-able.com
Travel for individuals with disabilities, wheelchair travel, disabled holidays, accessible travel, vacations for disabled, seniors. Includes list of travel agents experienced in organizing travel for people with disabilities.

AccessatLast
www.accessatlast.com
Focuses on accessible accommodations and transport throughout the world. “Accessible” means rooms include manual or tracker hoists, shower chairs, and/or hoist access to pools. Entries include name of hotel, motel, inn, etc.; room prices; and accessibility.

Accessible Journeys
www.disabilitytravel.com
Wheelchair-accessible travel planning, group tours, group cruises, individual cruises, plus licensed travel companions and travel agents.

Accessible Vacation Home Exchange
http://www.independentliving.org/VacationHomeSwap.html.
A free online exchange that matches people with disabilities who want to exchange accessible homes during vacations. From the Independent Living Institute.

Association of Travel Instruction
http://www.travelinstruction.org/
Organization that supports providers of travel instruction for the purpose of teaching people with disabilities and seniors to travel safely and independently on all modes of public transportation, anywhere in the world.

Barrier Free Travels
http://barrierfreetravels.com/serendipity/
Terrific blog from accessible-travel author Candy Harrington.

Disability Travel and Recreation Resources
http://www.makoa.org/travel.htm
Extensive collection of links to travel planning, destinations, transportation, resources for children, disability-related travel books, and other useful resources.

The Disabled Travel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thedisabledtraveler/
Forum for discussing travel accessibility and universal-access travel issues.

Disabled Travelers
http://www.disabledtravelers.com/access_guides.htm#unitedstates
Resources related to accessible travel; see especially the links to state, country, and/or city access guides and listing of state tourism boards.

The Enabled RVer
http://maxpages.com/enabledrver
An access-travel resource for RV owners with disabilities. Includes features on great destinations, weekend getaways, and accessible RVs.

Flying With Disability
www.flying-with-disability.org
Outstanding resource about air travel for passengers with disabilities. Information includes airport accessibility, medical assistance, airline notification, discrimination, and disabled travelers' rights.

Gimp on the Go: The Internet’s Premier Disabilities Travel Publication
www.gimponthego.com
From freelance writer Adam Lloyd, the site includes disability-related travel reviews, tips, industry news, bulletin boards, and travel resources. Articles are extremely well-written and informative.

Global Access News
www.globalaccessnews.com
Disabled travel network – accessible travel for wheelchair users & mobility-impaired people. See especially the “Trip Tips & Resources.”

Lonely Planet: Travelers with Disabilities
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=38
Question-and-answer forum for questions dealing with specific countries or practical questions such as luggage options for the disabled.

MossRehab ResourceNet: Accessible Travel
http://www.mossresourcenet.org/travel.htm
Useful travel tips and collections of links for travel agencies, state and country tourism offices, van rental companies, travel alerts and warnings, travel publications, and similarly useful resources.

National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange
http://www.miusa.org/ncde/
Comprehensive one-stop resource for people with disabilities, exchange and disability staff interested in study, work, intern, volunteer, research or teach abroad programs, a project sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Open Doors Organization (ODO)
www.opendoorsnfp.org
Founded by disability writer, speaker, and consultant Eric Lipp, ODO provides comprehensive research, training, and guidance in marketing strategies and ADA compliance for businesses. Check the website for disability resources, including practical, information travel articles by Laurel Van Horn.

Rolling Rains Report
Blog whose focus is ”Precipitating Dialogue on Travel, Disability, and Universal Design,” from travel writer Scott Rains, Smart, engaging, and informative.

Travelling with a Disability
http://www.e-bility.com/articles/accessible_travels.php
Good overview of the issues involved in disability-related travel by travel and disability writer Scott Rains; part of the content-rich e-bility site.

Theme Park Access Guide
www.mouseplanet.com/tag
Wonderful guide for disabled access to the leading California theme parks – needs to be expanded to national coverage!

Trail Explorer
http://www.trailexplorer.org/tew/accesssearch.cfm
The only source for Trail Access Information (TIA) about recreation trails on public lands.

Transitions Abroad: Disability Travel
www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/disability/index.shtml
Excellent collection of thoughtful articles about working, traveling, and/or teaching abroad from individuals with disabilities, plus related resources.

Trip Wheeling
http://www.tripwheeling.com/About.aspx
Forum that enables people from all over the world to contribute reviews on different establishments and locations. Includes reviews of vacation resorts, hotels, restaurants, attraction, local transportation and cruise lines.

Guide to Employment

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:50:00 GMT

What You Need to Know
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for administering disability benefits. However, it also takes a leadership role in creating programs and supports for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.

According to the SSA, “Congress intended the employment support provisions to provide you with the assistance you need to move further on the way from benefit dependency to independence. In other words, employment supports help you to enter, re-enter, or stay in the workforce by protecting your eligibility for cash payments and/or health care until you achieve this goal.”

The SSA assists you in your employment goal in two ways:

By providing financial support (“employment supports”) while you are exploring and trying out employment opportunities (from the SSA: “Congress intended the employment support provisions to provide you with the assistance you need to move further on the way from benefit dependency to independence. In other words, employment supports help you to enter, re-enter, or stay in the workforce by protecting your eligibility for cash payments and/or health care until you achieve this goal.”)
By providing local programs that offer assistance such as training or retraining, guidance on finding jobs, and navigation through the SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) requirements regarding the impact of income on disability benefits.

Employment Supports/Work Incentives
It often comes as a surprise to people who receive disability income and still want to work, that they can continue receiving benefits while they test their ability to work.

SSDI
Employment Supports/Work Incentives provide help over a significant period of time to allow you to test your ability to work, or to continue working, and gradually become self-supporting and independent. In general, you have at least 9 years to test your ability to work. This includes full cash payments during the first 12 months of work activity, a 36-month extended eligibility period, and a 5-year period in which you can start your cash benefits again without a new application. You may continue to have Medicare coverage during this time or even longer.

The employment supports/work incentives provided for both SSDI and SSI recipients are:

Ticket to Work program
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Subsidy and Special Conditions
Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employed Only)
Unsuccessful Work Attempt
Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation or Similar Program, also known as Section 301
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

Click here for more information on employment supports for both SSDI and SSI recipients

Employment supports/work incentives for SSDI recipients are:

Trial Work Period
Extended Period of Eligibility
Continuation of Medicare Coverage
Medicare for Individuals With Disability Who Work

Click here for more information on employment supports for SSDI recipients

Employment supports/work incentives for SSI recipients are:

Earned Income Exclusion
Student Earned Income Exclusion
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
Property Essential for Self-Support
Special SSI Payments for Individuals Who Work – Section 1619(a)
Medicaid While Working – Section 1619(b)
Special Benefits for Individuals Eligible under Section 1619(a) or (b) Who Enter a Medical Treatment Facility
Reinstating Eligibility Without a New Application

Click here for more information on employment supports for SSI recipients

Employment supports/work incentives are there to ensure that you are not penalized in terms of your disability benefits while you are making an effort to rejoin the workforce. To get more detailed information about the employment supports/work incentives available to you based on your particular circumstances, contact your local Work Incentive Planning Assistance (WIPA) office.

Connecting with Local Job Assistance: 3 Steps to Getting Help with Your Job Search
One of the biggest challenges of using the many programs that have been set up to assist you is simply understanding how to navigate the system, knowing where to start. Following is step-by-step guidance to help you through that process.

Step 1: Go through the packet of employment information the Social Security Administration sends you along with your first disability payments. This material will explain the SSA’s Work Incentive program, including what programs are available to help you get training, what the process for getting help is, how employment income will impact your disability payments, and who to contact for additional information. (Keep in mind that this information doesn’t mean you have to look for employment, it’s just sent to you in case you want to look for a job.)

One of the items in your packet will be something called a “Ticket to Work.” Part of the SSA’s Ticket to Work Program, this “ticket” should be given to the person you meet with when you visit your local Vocational Rehabilitation office or chosen Employment Network.

Step 2: Visit your local Work Incentive Planning Assistance (WIPA) office. This is the starting point for employment assistance, so you’ll want to call your local office and arrange a visit as soon as possible. (The Work Incentive Planning Assistance program is a federally funded program, but the SSA contracts with local organizations to implement the program.)

The WIPA staff will provide one-on-one benefits and work incentive planning services that entail information gathering and sharing regarding your unique circumstances and receipt of benefits. During this benefits session, the WIPA staff, or Community Work Incentive Coordinator will help you better understand your benefits and respond to any concerns you have regarding eligibility, continuation and unexpected termination of benefits.

When you go for your initial visit, you’ll want to take the following items with you:

Any Social Security documents sent to you since your initial application
Any paycheck stubs from employment over the past two years
Names and social security numbers for everyone in your household receiving benefits.

The WIPA organization can also help you with “benefits planning.” Basically, this helps you make informed decisions about your potential to earn wages, maintain your benefits, and access private and public services (such as job assistance). They’ll discuss points such as:

How you can go back to work and still retain your benefits
Limitations on earnings/employment, and exceptions
Changes in the Medicaid system, and how to keep your Medicaid benefits
The PASS PLAN opportunities to maintain essential services
Deciding when to seek benefits, and when to seek employment income
Work incentives

If you are the parent of a child with disabilities, you can also learn how your child’s benefits will change at the age of eighteen, how your income affects your 18-year-old’s benefits, whether or not your child’s income affects his or her benefits, and how your child can still keep his or her medical or cash benefits while working.
To find the job placement organization closest to you, click here.

After your visit with the WIPA staff, they may recommend Vocational Rehabilitation or further employment-related services. If so, your next step will be to contact this provider.

Step 3: Contact and sign-up with the recommended employment assistance and training provider. With your Ticket to Work, Social Security included a list of organizations that will gladly help you with a job search. There are two categories of employment assistance organizations that can assist you. They are:

State Vocational Rehabilitation
This is a state-funded program whose goal is to help you develop new skills or improve pre-existing skills in order to increase your employability. It involves orientation, assessment, counseling, and skills training, among other activities, all geared toward helping you land jobs for which you’re qualified. This is one of the most important steps in your quest for employment, as the Voc Rehab team is totally focused on helping you as an individual develop the work skills that will help you succeed.

Employment Network Organizations
Job placement organizations (both nonprofit and for-profit) are contracted by the federal government to provide assistance with your job search. Although they don’t actually provide you with a job, they have business contacts and relationships with local hiring personnel that enable them to help you target potential employers. They’ll coach you on how to apply for a job, how to write resumes and cover letters, how to look and apply for jobs online, and similar types of activities that will help you land a job as quickly as possible.

There are lots of knowledgeable people ready and waiting to help you reach your goal of employment. Don’t hesitate to contact them! See below to learn more about how you can tap into support and resources to join the ranks of the employed.

SSDI Employment Supports
SSI Employment Supports
Local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Offices

PASS Plan
Employment FAQs
Glossary of Terms

(The information in this section is based on The Red Book from the Social Security Administration, as well as insights and information provided by Employment Works/CP of Colorado.)

SSDI/SSI Employment Supports

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:37:00 GMT

Ticket to Work Program

SSDI and SSI
The Ticket to Work Program is an innovative program from the Social Security Administration for individuals with disabilities who want to work. It increases your choices in obtaining the employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services you may need to get or keep a job. It is a free and voluntary service. You can use the Ticket if you choose, but there is no penalty for not using it. Also, the SSA will not conduct a medical review of your case while you are using the Ticket.

This program is available in all 50 States and 10 United States Territories. Many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries will receive a “Ticket” they can use to obtain services from a state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency or another approved provider of their choice. The SSA calls these approved providers “Employment Networks,” which are private organizations or government agencies that have agreed to work with Social Security in providing employment services to beneficiaries with disabilities.

For Ticket to Work information, including a list of approved Employment Networks, contact the SSA Ticket Program Operations Support Manager, MAXIMUS, at their toll free numbers; 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD); from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time (Monday through Friday).

You can also find current information about the Ticket to Work Program at www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html and at www.yourtickettowork.com.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)

SSDI and SSI
With IRWE, the cost of certain impairment-related items and services that you need to work from your gross earnings when the SSA decides if your "countable earnings" demonstrate performance of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). It does not matter if you also use these items and services for non-work activities.IRWE are also excluded from your earned income when your SSI monthly payment amount is being calculated by the SSA.

IRWE is deducted for SGA purposes when:

The item or service enables you to work;
You need the item or service because of your disabling impairment;
You paid the cost and are not reimbursed by another source; for example, Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance;
The cost is "reasonable," that is, it represents the standard charge for the item or service in your community; and
You paid the expense in a month that you are or were working. Occasionally, an impairment-related work expense may be used before the first or after the last month of work activity.

In addition, IRWE is deducted from SSI payments when:

You meet requirements 1 through 4 above, and
You paid the expense in a month that you received earned income or performed work while you used the impairment-related item or service.

Note: In certain situations, the SSA can deduct IRWE amounts for expenses paid before you start or after you stop work.

Subsidy and Special Conditions

SSDI and SSI
"Subsidy" and "special conditions" are the names the SSA uses for support you receive on the job that may result in you receiving more pay than the actual value of the services you perform. “Subsidy" is support provided by your employer. “Special conditions" are generally provided by someone other than your employer, for example, a vocational rehabilitation agency. The SSA considers the existence of subsidy and special conditions when it makes a SGA decision. It uses only earnings that represent the real value of the work you perform to decide if your work is at the SGA level. The SSA does not take into account subsidy or special conditions when it figures your SSI payment amount.

Subsidy or special conditions may exist if:

You receive more supervision than other workers doing the same or a similar job for the same pay;
You have fewer or simpler tasks to complete than other workers doing the same job for the same pay; or
You have a job coach or mentor who helps you perform some of your work.

If your employer and/or other involved parties cannot or will not set the real value of your work, the SSA will decide the value of your work.

Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employed Only)

SSDI and SSI
"Unincurred business expenses" is the name the SSA uses for contributions made by others to your self-employment business effort. For example, the state vocational rehabilitation agency gives you a computer for your business, or a friend works for your business as unpaid help. If you are self-employed, the SSA generally follows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules to figure your net earnings from self-employment. However, the IRS only allows you to deduct expenses for which you actually paid or incurred debt. When the SSA makes an SGA decision, it also deducts unincurred business expenses from your net earnings because it wants an accurate measure of the value of your work. It does not deduct unincurred business expenses from earnings when figuring your SSI payment amount.

For an SSDI item or service to qualify as an unincurred business expense, it must meet the following two requirements:

It must be an item or service that the IRS would allow as a legitimate business expense if you had paid for it; and
Someone other than you must have paid for it.

Unsuccessful Work Attempt

SSDI and SSI
An unsuccessful work attempt is an effort to do substantial work, in employment or self-employment, that you stopped or reduced to below the SGA level after a short time (6 months or less) because of:

Your impairment; or
Removal of special conditions (see “Subsidy and Special Conditions,” above) related to your impairment and essential to the further performance of your work.

When the SSA makes an SGA decision for initial eligibility for SSDI or SSI, it does not count earnings during an unsuccessful work attempt that occurred prior to your award.

SSDI
When the SSA makes an SGA decision to determine if your disability continues or ceases because of your work, it does not count earnings during an unsuccessful work attempt.

During the extended period of eligibility, it considers unsuccessful work attempt(s) as part of its SGA decision(s) for months up to and including the month (if any) in which it ceases your disability.

During the trial work period, or after the month (if any) in which the SSA ceases your disability, it does not consider unsuccessful work attempts because they only have effect when the SSA makes an SGA decision.

SSI
The SSA only considers an unsuccessful work attempt at the time you file an initial claim. Unsuccessful work attempts are not considered after that time.

Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Section 301)

If we find you no longer have a disabling impairment due to medical improvement, your benefit payments usually stop.

However, if you participate in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services or other support services, your benefits may continue until your participation in the program ends.

To qualify:

You must be participating in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services or other support services before your disability ends under our rules; and
The SSA must review the situation and decide that your continued participation in the program would increase the likelihood of your permanent removal from the disability benefit rolls.

Your benefits may continue until you complete your program, your participation in the program stops, or the SSA decide that your continued participation in the program will not increase the likelihood of your permanent removal from the disability benefit rolls.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

SSDI and SSI
A plan to achieve self-support (PASS) allows you to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal.

For example, you could set aside money to pay expenses for education, vocational training, or starting a business as long as the expenses are related to achieving your work goal.

The SSA does not count the income that you set aside under your PASS when it figures your SSI payment amount. It does not count the resources that you set aside under your PASS when determining your initial and continuing eligibility for SSI.

A PASS can help you establish or maintain SSI eligibility and can increase your SSI payment amount. A PASS does not affect any SGA determination for your initial eligibility decision.

If you receive SSI or could qualify for SSI, you can have a plan. For example, if you have too much income to be eligible for SSI now, using the income to pay PASS expenses may make you eligible for SSI. You may not need a plan now, but you may need one next month or next year to remain eligible or to increase your SSI payment amount.

(The following information is based on The Red Book from the Social Security Administration, as well as insights and information provided by Employment Works/CP of Colorado.)

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Employment Supports

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:36:00 GMT

Earned Income Exclusion
The Earned Income Exclusion helps you because the SSA (Social Security Administration) does not count most of your earned income when it figures your SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payment amount. The SSA does not count the first $65 of your earnings in a month plus one-half of the remainder. This means that it counts less than one-half of your earnings when it figures your SSI payment amount. The SSA applies this exclusion in addition to the $20 general income exclusion (an exclusion that is first applied to any unearned income that you may receive).

Student Earned Exclusion
Under the Student Earned Exclusion, if you are under age 22 and regularly attending school, the SSA does not count up to $1,510 of earned income per month when it figures your SSI payment amount. The maximum yearly exclusion is $6,100. These amounts are for the year 2007; they are adjusted each year based on the cost-of-living.

NOTE: Prior to 4/01/05, you also must have been unmarried and not head of your household in order to use the student earned income exclusion.

What is the definition of “regularly attending school?” “Regularly attending school” means that you take one or more courses of study and attend classes:

In a college or university for at least 8 hours a week; or
In grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week; or
In a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours a week (15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice); or
For less time than indicated above for reasons beyond the student’s control, such as illness.

If you are home taught, you may be considered “regularly attending school” if:

You are instructed in grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week; and
The instruction is in accordance with a home school law of the state or other jurisdiction in which you reside.

If you are home taught because of a disability, you may be considered “regularly attending school” by:

Studying a course or courses given by a school (grades 7-12), college, university or government agency; and
Having a home visitor or tutor who directs the study.

How does it work? The SSA applies the student earned income exclusion before the general income exclusion or the earned income exclusion.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
A plan to achieve self-support (PASS) allows you to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal.

For example, you could set aside money to pay expenses for education, vocational training, or starting a business as long as the expenses are related to achieving your work goal.

A PASS can help you establish or maintain SSI eligibility and can increase your SSI payment amount. A PASS does not affect any SGA determination for your initial eligibility decision.

For more information about PASS, click here.

Property Essential for Self-Support
With the “Property Essential for Self Support” benefit, the SSA does not count some resources that are essential to your means of self-support when it decides your initial and continuing eligibility for SSI.

The SSA does not count your property if you use it in a trade or business (for example, inventory) or use it for work as an employee (for example, tools or equipment), regardless of the value or rate of return. Other use of the items does not matter.

The SSA does count up to $6,000 of equity value of non-business property that you use to produce goods or services essential to daily activities, regardless of the rate of return. An example is land used to produce vegetables or livestock solely for consumption by your household.

In addition, the SSA does not count up to $6,000 of equity value of non-business income-producing property if the property yields an annual rate of return of at least 6 percent. An example is a rental property.

However, the SSA does not consider liquid resources, for example, stocks, bonds, or notes as property essential to self-support, unless you use them as part of a trade or business.

Special SSI Payments for Individuals Who Work – Section 1619(a)
You can receive SSI cash payments even when your earned income (gross wages and/or net earnings from self-employment) is at the SGA level. This provision eliminates the need for the trial work period or extended period of eligibility under SSI.

NOTE: If you are blind, this does not apply to you because current law doesn’t apply the SGA requirement to individuals who are blind.

To qualify, you must:

Have been eligible for an SSI payment for at least 1 month before you begin working at the SGA level;
Still be disabled; and
Meet all other eligibility rules, including the income and resources tests.

How does it work? Your eligibility for SSI will continue for as long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements and the income and resources tests. The SSA will continue to figure your SSI payment amount in the same way as before. If your state provides Medicaid to individuals on SSI, you will continue to be eligible for Medicaid.

You do not need to file a special application. Just keep us up to date on your work activity.

Medicaid While Working – Section 1619(b)
This program stipulates that your Medicaid coverage can continue, even if your earnings alone or in combination with your other income become too high for an SSI cash payment.

To qualify, you must:

Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least 1 month;
Still be disabled;
Still meet all other eligibility rules, including the resources test;
Need Medicaid in order to work; and
Have gross earned income that is insufficient to replace SSI, Medicaid, and any publicly funded attendant care (see the “threshold amount” discussion below).

What is the “threshold amount?” The “threshold amount” is the measure that the SSA uses to decide whether your earnings are high enough to replace your SSI and Medicaid benefits.

Your threshold amount is based on:

The amount of earnings that would cause your SSI cash payments to stop in your state; and
The annual per capita Medicaid expenditure for your state.

If your gross earnings are higher than the threshold amount for your state (see chart below), you may still be eligible if you have:

Impairment-related work expenses;
Blind work expenses;
A plan to achieve self-support;
Publicly funded attendant or personal care; or
Medical expenses above your state’s per capita amount (check with your local WIPA office for your state’s amounts).

Note: California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon have separate threshold amounts for blind individuals; be sure to check for both if you live in any of these states.

Also, these states use eligibility rules for Medicaid that are different from the SSA’s SSI eligibility rules:

Connecticut	Indiana	New Hampshire	Oklahoma
Hawaii	Minnesota	North Dakota	Virginia
Illinois	Missouri	Ohio

If you live in one of these States, you will continue to be eligible for Medicaid under section 1619(a) or (b) if you were eligible for Medicaid in the month before you became eligible for section 1619.

Special Benefits for Individuals Eligible under Section 16719(a) or (b) Who Enter a Medical Treatment Facility
If you are eligible under section 1619, you can receive an SSI cash benefit for up to 2 months while in a Medicaid facility or a public medical or psychiatric facility.

What happens if you enter a public medical or psychiatric facility? Usually, if you are in a public medical or psychiatric facility, you are not eligible to receive an SSI payment. However, if you enter a public medical or psychiatric facility while you are eligible under section 1619, your SSI cash benefits can continue for up to 2 months. For this provision to apply, the facility must enter an agreement with the SSA that will allow you to keep all of the SSI payment.

Reinstating Eligibility without a New Application
If you have been ineligible for an SSI payment due to your work, you may be able to restart your SSI cash payment again at any time without a new application. If you have been ineligible for SSI and/or Medicaid for any reason other than medical recovery or work, you may be able to restart your SSI cash payment and/or Medicaid coverage within 12 months without a new application. When your situation changes, contact the SSA and ask about how you can restart your SSI benefits and/or Medicaid. If your cash payment and Medicaid benefits ended because of your work and earnings, and you stop work within 5 years of when your benefits ceased, the SSA may be able to start your benefits again.

(The following information is based on The Red Book from the Social Security Administration, as well as insights and information provided by Employment Works/CP of Colorado.)

SSDI Employment Supports

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:36:00 GMT

Ticket to Work Program
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
The Ticket to Work Program is an innovative program from the Social Security Administration for individuals with disabilities who want to work. It increases your choice in obtaining the employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services you may need to get or keep a job. It is a free and voluntary service. You can use the Ticket if you choose, but there is no penalty for not using it. Also, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will not conduct a medical review of your case while you are using the Ticket.

This program is available in all 50 States and 10 United States Territories. Many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries will receive a “Ticket” they can use to obtain services from a state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency or another approved provider of their choice. The SSA calls these approved providers “Employment Networks,” which are private organizations or government agencies that have agreed to work with the SSA in providing employment services to beneficiaries with disabilities.

For Ticket to Work information, including a list of approved Employment Networks, contact the SSA Ticket Program Operations Support Manager, MAXIMUS, at its toll free numbers; 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD); from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time (Monday through Friday).

You can also find current information about the Ticket to Work Program at www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html and at www.yourtickettowork.com

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
SSDI and SSI. With IRWE, the cost of certain impairment-related items and services that you need to work from your gross earnings when the SSA decides if your "countable earnings" demonstrate performance of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). It does not matter if you also use these items and services for non-work activities. IRWE are also excluded from your earned income when your SSI monthly payment amount is being calculated by the SSA.

IRWE is deducted for SGA purposes when:
1. The item or service enables you to work;
2. You need the item or service because of your disabling impairment;
3. You paid the cost and are not reimbursed by another source; for example, Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance;
4. The cost is "reasonable," that is, it represents the standard charge for the item or service in your community; and
5. You paid the expense in a month that you are or were working. Occasionally, an impairment-related work expense may be used before the first or after the last month of work activity.

In addition, IRWE is deducted from SSI payments when:
• You meet requirements 1 through 4 above, and
• You paid the expense in a month that you received earned income or performed work while you used the impairment-related item or service.
Note: In certain situations, the SSA can deduct IRWE amounts for expenses paid before you start or after you stop work.

Subsidy and Special Conditions
SSDI and SSI
"Subsidy" and "special conditions" are the names of the support you receive on the job that may result in you receiving more pay than the actual value of the services you perform. “Subsidy" is support provided by your employer. “Special conditions" are generally provided by someone other than your employer, for example, a vocational rehabilitation agency. The SSA considers the existence of subsidy and special conditions when it makes an SGA decision. It uses only earnings that represent the real value of the work you perform to decide if your work is at the SGA level. The SSA does not take into account subsidy or special conditions when it figures your SSI payment amount.

Subsidy or special conditions may exist if:
     • You receive more supervision than other workers doing the same or a similar job for the same pay;
     • You have fewer or simpler tasks to complete than other workers doing the same job for the same pay; or
     • You have a job coach or mentor who helps you perform some of your work.
If your employer and/or other involved parties cannot or will not set the real value of your work, the SSA will decide the value of your work.

Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employed Only)
SSDI and SSI
"Unincurred business expenses" is the name the SSA uses for contributions made by others to your self-employment business effort. For example, the state vocational rehabilitation agency gives you a computer for your business, or a friend works for your business as unpaid help. If you are self-employed, the SSA generally follows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules to figure your net earnings from self-employment. However, the IRS only allows you to deduct expenses for which you actually paid or incurred debt. When the SSA makes an SGA decision, it also deducts unincurred business expenses from your net earnings because it wants an accurate measure of the value of your work. It does not deduct unincurred business expenses from earnings when figuring your SSI payment amount.

For an SSDI item or service to qualify as an unincurred business expense, it must meet the following two requirements:
• It must be an item or service that the IRS would allow as a legitimate business expense if you had paid for it; and
• Someone other than you must have paid for it.

Unsuccessful Work Attempt
SSDI and SSI
An unsuccessful work attempt is an effort to do substantial work, in employment or self-employment, that you stopped or reduced to below the SGA level after a short time (6 months or less) because of:
• Your impairment; or
• Removal of special conditions (see “Subsidy and Special Conditions,” above) related to your impairment and essential to the further performance of your work.

When the SSA makes an SGA decision for initial eligibility for SSDI or SSI, it does not count earnings during an unsuccessful work attempt that occurred prior to your award.

SSDI
When the SSA makes an SGA decision to determine if your disability continues or ceases because of your work, it does not count earnings during an unsuccessful work attempt.

SSI
The SSA only considers an unsuccessful work attempt at the time you file an initial claim. Unsuccessful work attempts are not considered after that time.

Trial Work Period (TWP)
The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how high your earnings might be so long as your work activity has been reported and you have a disabling impairment.

Your TWP starts with the first month you are eligible for SSDI benefits or the month in which you file for benefits, whichever is later. The TWP continues until you accumulate 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you performed what the SSA calls “services” within a rolling 60-consecutive-month period. It uses this "services" rule only to count TWP months.

You are not eligible for disability benefits or a TWP if you work at the SGA level within 12 months of the start of your impairment(s) and before the SSA approves your claim for disability benefits. This is because your impairment does not meet its definition of disability.

What happens when you complete your trial work period? The SSA can consider medical evidence that might demonstrate your medical recovery at any time. Therefore, it is possible for your benefits to stop due to your medical recovery before the end of your TWP. Unsuccessful work attempts do not apply during the TWP.

After you complete your TWP, you begin your extended period of eligibility, unless the SSA reviews your disability case and finds your impairment has medically improved.
• If the SSA decides that you cannot work at the SGA level, your SSDI benefits continue.
• If it decides that you can work at the SGA level, it pays your SSDI benefits for the month your disability ceased due either to medical improvement or your work at the SGA level plus the next 2 months. It calls this the “grace period.” Then, it stops paying your benefits.

Note: The SSA will not conduct a medical review of your disability case if you are participating in the Ticket to Work [link to Ticket to Work doc] program and your ticket is “in-use.”

Extended Period of Eligibility
If the SSA stopped your disability payments because you worked at the SGA level, it can automatically start your benefit payments again. No new application and/or disability determination is required.

The earliest it can start your benefits again is the month after the end of the grace period. (You are paid for the first month your benefits cease due to SGA and the following 2 months.)

The latest the SSA can start your benefits again is the 37th consecutive month after the end of the trial work period. If your earnings change significantly from month-to-month, it is possible that the SSA could restart your benefits frequently during this period.

Your benefits can start again for any month in the period described above in which:
• You continue to have a disabling impairment, and
• Your earnings in that month fall below the SGA level.

If you are eligible for a benefit payment for the 37th month, you will continue to be eligible for benefits until you:
• Work a month at the SGA level, or
• Medically recover.

What happens if you continue to work? If your benefits end because of your work, the SSA may be able to start your benefits again if you stop work within 5 years.

Continuation of Medical Coverage
Most individuals with disabilities who work will continue to receive at least 93 consecutive months of hospital and supplementary medical insurance under Medicare, after the nine month trial work period. You do not pay a premium for hospital insurance. Although cash benefits may cease due to work, you have the assurance of continued health insurance.

The 93 months start the month after the last month of your TWP. How do you qualify? You must work and perform SGA, but not be medically improved.

When would you get less than 93 months? You must satisfy your Medicare waiting period. Once that is complete, your continued Medicare coverage can start and continue for at least the remainder of the 93 consecutive months.

Medicare for Individuals with Disability Who Work
After premium-free Medicare coverage ends due to work, some individuals who have returned to work may buy continued Medicare coverage, as long as they remain medically disabled. Some individuals with low incomes and limited resources may be eligible for State assistance with this cost.

You are eligible to buy Medicare coverage if:
• You are not yet age 65;
• You continue to have a disabling impairment; and
• Your Medicare stopped due to work.

What kind of Medicare can you buy? You can buy Premium Hospital Insurance (Part A) at the same monthly cost that uninsured eligible retired beneficiaries pay ($410 if you have less than 30 quarters of coverage, or $226 if you have 30 or more quarters of coverage for 2007); and

You can buy Premium Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B) at the same monthly cost that uninsured eligible retired beneficiaries pay ($93.50 for 2007); or

You can buy Hospital Insurance separately without Supplemental Medical Insurance. You can buy Supplemental Medical Insurance only if you also buy Hospital Insurance.

You may qualify for a reduction in the monthly amount of your premium for Hospital Insurance, if you:
• Have 30 or more quarters of coverage on your earnings record; or
• Have been married for at least 1 year to a worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage; or
• Were married for at least 1 year to a deceased worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage; or
• Are divorced, after at least 10 years of marriage, from a worker who had 30 or more quarters of coverage at the time the divorce became final.

When can you enroll? You may enroll:
• During your initial enrollment period (the month you are notified about the end of your premium-free health insurance and the following 7 months);
• During the annual general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31 of each year); or
• During a special enrollment period. You can enroll at any time while you are working, covered under an employer group health plan, still have a disabling impairment, or during the 8-month period that begins with the first full month after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever occurs first.

How does it work with an employer group health plan? If you purchase Premium Hospital Insurance (Part A) and maintain your employer group health plan, Medicare will be your primary payer if you are working. Your group health plan would become a secondary payer.

When does the State pay premiums for Medicare? States are required to pay Hospital Insurance premiums for some working individuals with disabilities. You qualify if you:
• Are eligible to enroll in Premium Hospital Insurance for individuals with disabilities who work;
• Meet certain income and resource standards; and
• Are ineligible for Medicare on any other basis.

NOTE: Individuals with disabilities who work should contact their State agency for information

Continued Payment Under a Vocational Rehabilitation (also known as Section 301 Program)
SSDI and SSI
If the SSA finds you no longer have a disabling impairment due to medical improvement, your benefit payments usually stop. However, if you participate in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services or other support services, your benefits may continue until your participation in the program ends.

To qualify:
• You must be participating in an appropriate program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services or other support services before your disability ends under SSA rules; and
• The SSA must review the situation and decide that your continued participation in the program would increase the likelihood of your permanent removal from the disability benefit rolls.

Your benefits may continue until you complete your program, your participation in the program stops, or the SSA decides that your continued participation in the program will not increase the likelihood of your permanent removal from the disability benefit rolls.

(The information is based on The Red Book from the Social Security Administration, as well as insights and information provided by Employment Works/CP of Colorado.)