Person Centered Employment Plan Form (Page 24 of 29) in pdf

Section 8 - Social Security Work Incentives

Terms:

o Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for a non-blind individual = $1070.

o Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for a blind individual = $1800.

o Trial Work Period Amount (TWP Amount) = $770.

o Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

o Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Income and SSI:

If you receive SSI and plan to work, the income you earn will reduce the amount of your monthly SSI

benefit. There are special programs known as “work incentives.” These programs allow a person

receiving SSI to work and continue to receive all or part of their disability payments as well as maintain

eligibility for Medicare and/or Medicaid.

Work Incentives for SSDI Only:

TRIAL WORK PERIOD (TWP)

The Trial Work Period allows you to test your ability to work by providing a period of 9 months of gross

earnings during which your SSDI check is not affected. A month does not count towards your trial

work period unless your gross earnings meet or exceed an amount set each year by SSA. In 2014, the

TWP amount is $770. During your trial work period, you will receive your full disability benefit

regardless of how much you earn. You must report your work activity to SSA and continue to have a

disabling impairment. The 9 months does not need to be consecutive, they are counted within a five-

year period. Certain other rules apply. Medicare coverage will continue for 93 months after the last

month of the TWP.

EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY (EPE)

The Extended Period of Eligibility begins after you have completed your trial work period and have

gross earnings at or above the SGA level. The EPE lasts for 36 months and allows you to receive your

SSDI check in any month that your earnings fall below SGA. If work is discontinued during the EPE, you

only need to contact SSA and ask for a reinstatement of benefits. You must continue to have a

disabling impairment.

SUBSIDY OR SPECIAL CONDITIONS

A subsidy is defined as the value of extra support a person receives on the job. The subsidy is provided

by the employer and the worker must earn the same pay as other workers doing the same job.

Examples include a job coach, mentor, extra supervision, or a reduced workload. The employer

determines the value of the subsidy. Special conditions apply when the individual is not fully earning

his or her wages because the work is performed under special conditions such as on the job coaching

or substitution in which the job coach performs part or all of the individual’s job duties. SSA will

deduct the wages that are not considered “earned” by the individual.

Examples of subsidies:

• You receive more supervision than other workers who are doing the same or a similar job for

the same pay.

Person Centered Employment Plan Form Page 24