Are you a recipient of Social Security Insurance (SSI) who wants to further your training to reenter the workforce? The Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program, run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), is designed just for you. Because of SSI income restrictions, it may be difficult to move beyond a disability check. The PASS program allows you to set aside money to pay for items or services needed to achieve specific work-related goals.
How It Works
Say you've been on disability for a chronic illness, but your illness has stabilized to a point where you'd like to start a home-based business for which you need startup money and some training. The PASS program would allow you to save money from your SSI check and keep more than the $2,000 you are allowed to have in savings to cover your career-related training program, including equipment, tools and other expenses.
Also, the saved money is not counted when SSA determines your benefits. In other words, having an approved PASS allows you to become eligible for SSI, keep your SSI benefits even if you're receiving additional income from other sources or become eligible for more SSI. For example, if you receive $545 monthly, you can put that into your savings account and the SSI will replace it for your living expenses. However, the saved money must be kept in a separate account and you must continue to have an eligible disability.
Application Process
To apply for the PASS program, you must submit an application that outlines your career goals. If you're planning to be self-employed, you must include your business plan. The SSA advises you to get help in writing the application -- a PASS expert at your local Social Security office, a vocational rehab counselor, someone at a local Employment Network, or someone from your personal or professional life.
The application process involves these basic steps:
- Define your “reasonable” work goal -- reasonable doesn't mean you have to sell yourself short. If you need to get a bachelor's degree to attain your goal, then go for it. Just keep in mind SSA assumes that once you've got the degree and any equipment that will allow you to work in your chosen field, you will no longer need SSI. PASS is designed to help you start your career.
- Decide exactly what resources you'll need to enable you to achieve your goal. This is where an expert can be of real help, because he can help you map out all the supplies, tuition and school expenses, equipment, tools and transportation you'll need to accomplish your goal.
- Do the research to determine the cost of each item on your list. Also determine timelines.
- Complete the PASS form, SSA-545-BK, and submit it. If your application is rejected, you can appeal. Neighborhood Legal Services offers comprehensive information on the PASS application.
Receiving SSI benefits can be a great help, but with the PASS program and the Ticket to Work program, the government acknowledges that workers with disabilities need some assistance in achieving their career goals.