Description of the video:
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Welcome to the Competitive Integrated Employment
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Let's Talk Benefits training.
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I'm Brady Powers with the Center on
Community Living and Careers at the
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Indiana Institute on Disability and
Community at Indiana University.
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I am pleased to share this information put together by Sarah Level,
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Cecilia Buckley,
and myself to assist you with more
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information and help you to better
understand benefits, work, incentives,
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and other programs that are out there on a local, state, and federal level.
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The objectives we will cover by the end
of this training are to learn how to reject
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common myths about benefits and
going to work.
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To understand the difference between SSI and SSDI.
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To learn about work incentives for SSI.
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To learn about work incentives for SSDI.
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To understand which healthcare benefit Medicaid and Medicare goes with which SSA
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benefit.
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To learn asset building options to assist with benefits.
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To understand the benefits counseling process.
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Now that we have these down,
let's talk about some common myths about
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benefits.
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Here are some of the most common myths about benefits.
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As we go through these,
I want you to think if you have heard
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these before,
what do you think about them?
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and once we have listed,
we will break each one down individually.
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What do you think?
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Have you heard of these myths before?
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If you work, they will take your benefits away.
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There is only one type of Social Security benefit.
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Medicare and Medicaid are the same thing.
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Social Security knows when you are
working so you don't need to report work
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to them.
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Working effects all benefits the same.
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So what happened to my friend's benefits is what will happen to mine.
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Social Security doesn't want people to work.
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The list of myths that I just shared are not all of the myths that are out there
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and spread quickly from one person to another across our nation.
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What myths have you heard that we have not mentioned already?
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There is a lot of misinformation out
there or questions about or uncertainty about
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going to work and how benefits or work incentives work or may be affected.
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Just think for a minute and ask yourself what else have I heard and am I unsure if
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true or false, myth or fact?
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A keyword in the previous slide I
mentioned is incentive.
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So let's break this down some more.
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There are work incentives a person can
utilize and try to work and have safety
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nets to keep their benefits if needed.
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Some work incentives provide much needed
protection for healthcare coverage.
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There are ways that people can actually
save money for goals without losing their
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benefits.
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There is even a work incentive that has
Social Security help a person save.
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Social Security understands that working
can be more of a challenge for
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individuals with disabilities and there
are work incentives associated with
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accommodations and extra expenses.
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Each side of SSA has work incentives that
apply to it and here on this side you can
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see some of the many work incentives
available for individuals on Social
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Security Disability Insurance or SSDI and
Supplemental Security Income or SSI.
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Under SSDI, there is trial work period,
extended period of eligibility,
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impairment related work expense,
subsidy and special conditions,
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extended period of Medicare coverage,
expedited reinstatement of benefits and
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more.
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Under SSI,
there is 1619(b), student earned income
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exclusion,
impairment related work expense,
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blind work expense, plan for achieving
self support or pass plan,
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expedited reinstatements of benefits and
more.
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In this section,
let's explore and define the types of
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Social Security disability benefits.
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I just shared about SSI and SSDI.
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So let's dig deeper into these two
programs.
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There are two types of Social Security
disability benefits,
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Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI
and Supplemental Security Income SSI.
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The two programs are seen here on the
slide.
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SSDI is on the left and we share with you
that SSDI is a disability insurance
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program and individuals must be aged 18
or older to pull SSDI.
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Individuals can receive SSDI on their
parents record or on their own record.
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The amount an individual receives for
their SSDI is based on work history of
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the individual or the parent who has
worked.
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Each program that we discuss here has a
healthcare program associated with it.
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For SSDI,
that healthcare program is Medicare
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health insurance.
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On the right side of the slide you see
Supplemental Security Income or SSI. SSI is
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different than SSDI. SSI is a needs based
and means tested benefit.
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An individual can receive SSI as a child
or as an adult and the amount received
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each month for SSI is based on the living
arrangement and income in the household
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or for that individual.
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The maximum an individual can receive is
called the Federal Benefit Rate or FBR,
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and for 2025,
that amount is $967 per month for the
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individual.
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And the health insurance associated with
SSI is Medicaid health insurance.
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Now that we have started to share some of
our program terms,
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let's break these down even further.
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Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a
benefit paid to people who are disabled,
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blind,
or age 65 or older who have few resources
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and a low income.
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It is needs based and means tested.
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Social Security must determine what
income and resources people have
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available to them and see whether they
are eligible for the benefit and if so,
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how much to pay in benefits.
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Finally,
SSI is funded by the general funds of the
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US Treasury.
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In SSI,
there is something called the age 18
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Redetermination that we need to discuss
as well.
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Just what is this requirement?
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Well,
it states that when an individual turns
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18 years of age,
that person must reapply for SSI as an
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adult.
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And this test is more stringent.
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The test happened somewhere between the
18th and the 19th birthdays of that
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individual.
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No one shows up on the exact birthday and
knocks on the door and says happy
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birthday.
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Let's do this age 18 Redetermination,
but the SSA will notify the individual
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and set an appointment to complete the
redetermination.
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If the individual is no longer eligible
but they are in a training program,
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the individual may be able to continue
receiving SSI benefits temporarily,
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which is known as Section 301.
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If an individual is in school,
a training program like vocational
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rehabilitation or a training program for
a trade like a journeyman, plumbing,
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electrician or other trades training
school program,
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then they may be able to receive their
SSI benefits until they either graduate
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or complete the program or if they were
to quit or leave that program before it
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ends during the age 18 Redetermination.
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If the individual did not qualify for SSI
before due to parents income in the
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household,
the individual might qualify now.
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Once the minor becomes an adult at the
age of 18,
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the parent or parents income in the
household can no longer be considered for
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eligibility and the new adult may be
found eligible with SSI.
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There's something called the federal
benefit rate and I shared this briefly
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with you a few slides back.
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The federal benefit Rate or FBR is the
maximum amount of money that can be
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received in an SSI check per month.
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For 2025,
the FBR for an individual is $967 per month
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and for 2025,
the FBR for an eligible couple is $1450
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per month.
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Now there are several numbers that we
will discuss today in our training.
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Some of these numbers are what we call
COLA or Cost of Living Adjustment numbers.
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These are numbers that can and typically
change every year by the government.
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The numbers and data are reviewed and
those numbers are typically published in
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October of each year and then take effect
on January 1st of the following year.
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So in October of this year,
we will get the colon numbers for next
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year.
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Although we have those numbers in October,
they do not take effect until January 1st,
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so roughly 3 months later.
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And then they run throughout the full
next year of January 1st through December
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31st: numbers can go up,
go down or may stay the same.
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On this slide,
we discussed the accountable income
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formula or CIF.
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When discussing SSI,
it is important to know that the Social
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Security Administration or SSA well check
reported earnings,
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assets and resources the 1st of every
month and check earnings both earned and
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unearned throughout something called the
CIF.
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Oh, and run those.
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On this slide,
we discussed the countable income formula,
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or CIF.
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When discussing SSI,
it's important to know that the Social
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Security Administration, or SSA,
will check reported earnings,
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assets and resources the 1st of every
month and run earnings classified as both
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earned and unearned throughout something
called the CIF.
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This Countable Income formula is the
formula used to calculate the SSI check
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monthly.
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Now there are many line items that make
up the CIF,
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but here I am just going to share a few
of those items with you that apply to
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everyone.
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To help show that not every dollar that
someone has are counted in the
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calculation and SSA really does want
individuals to work for the CIF,
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there are the following exclusions.
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There is the $20 exclusion called the
General Income Exclusion or GIE for
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everyone.
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So the first $20 someone has is excluded
for those who have earned income.
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The 1st $65 is excluded through something
called the Earned Income Exclusion or EIE
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for everyone.
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It is important to know that Social
Security uses the exact amount of income
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received in past months to the penny and
looks at gross wages,
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then runs both earned and unearned income
through the CIF formula.
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There are other calculations in the
countable income formula as well,
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but too much to get into without
specifics and some of those we will talk
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about here coming up.
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This is why it is so important to report
gross monthly earnings,
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no matter how high or how low to SSA.
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Side note,
did you know the SSA's benefits and
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systems do not communicate with each
other?
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Although housed in the same buildings,
SSI and SSDI are two separate programs
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and their computer or technology systems
and files do not talk with each other.
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So if you receive both SSI and SSDI,
you are called a concurrent beneficiary.
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You need to make 2 copies and turn 1 into
SSA on the SSI side and turn 1 copy into
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SSA on the SSDI side.
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Otherwise you don't report to one or the
other if you just turn 1 copy in and this
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could lead to over or underpayments.
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SSI has some work incentives that help
individuals to keep as much of their SSI
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check as possible while still working.
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The incentives we will talk about today
for SSI include Impairment Related Work
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Expenses or IRWEs,
Blind Work Expenses or BWEs,
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Student Earned Income Exclusion or SEIE,
Plan for Achieving Self Support or PASS,
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1619(b) and Expedited Reinstatement of
Benefits or EXR.
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The first work incentive for SSI we will
discuss is Impairment Related Work
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Expenses or IRWEs.
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In order to be considered an IRWE,
items must be work expenses that must be
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related to the person's disability.
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The cost of the expenses can reduce the
amount of earnings counted.
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Irwis help put money back in the SSI
check to help pay for the expenses.
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IRWEs can be used as soon as the person
starts working in SSI.
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IRWEs must be filed with SSA or
submitted for approval and then once
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approved,
the receipts are submitted each month for
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those expenses along with the gross wages
to SSA on the SSI side.
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Now that we've discussed a little about
IRWEs and some of their parameters,
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let's look at an example on the next
slide of how an IRWE looks and can affect
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someone.
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Here is an SSI IRWE example.
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John is working and earning $585 per
month and receives SSI.
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He takes special transportation and
spends $50 a month on this and has $50
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a month in therapy cost.
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If he submits both as an IRWE to SSA and
SSA approves,
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he would have $100 in IRWEs.
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In the blue box on the left hand side,
we can see the example without the IRWE.
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We if we take the $585 in earnings for
John and we subtract the $85 in
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exclusions,
the $20 General Income Exclusion or GIE
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and then the $65 in the Earned Income
Exclusion or EIE, that gives us $500.
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We divide that by two,
which is called the half offset,
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which is another part of the countable
income formula and that gives us $250 in
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countable income.
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We then must take the base SSI rate or
federal benefit rate for that person and
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that is $967.
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We then subtract the countable income of
$250 and that leaves us with $717.
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So John's new SSI check would be $717 for the month and he would also earn
0:16:32.802,0:16:34.480
his wages of $585.
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In the right hand blue box, we see the
example with the IRWE for John.
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If we take the $585 in earnings for John
and we subtract the $85 in exclusions,
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the $20 general income exclusion or GIE,
and the $65 in the earned income
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exclusion or EIE, that gives us $500.
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We then have to subtract the early amount
of $100.
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This gives us a remainder of $400.00.
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We divide that by two,
which is called the half offset,
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which is another part of the countable
income formula,
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and that gives us $200 in countable
income.
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We then must take the base SSI rate or
FBR for that person and that is $967.
0:17:26.880,0:17:32.880
We then subtract the accountable income
of 200 and that leaves us with $767.
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So John's new SSI check would be $767 for
the month and he would also earn his
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wages of $585.
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Social Security essentially puts half the
cost of the IRWE in the SSI check each
0:17:50.711,0:17:56.740
month to help pay for these costs,
and John again is able to keep his full
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monthly wages of 585 plus his new SSI
check amount.
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In each of the examples above,
filing the IRWE helps to put more money
0:18:06.958,0:18:10.040
back into John's SSI check each month.
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The next work incentive to discuss for
SSI is the Blind Work Expense or BWE.
0:18:18.090,0:18:23.880
With BWEs, blind individuals can exclude
most work related expenses.
0:18:24.840,0:18:29.734
Here you can see a small list of items
that can be excluded and the list is much
0:18:29.734,0:18:33.240
greater and the many other items may be
excluded as well.
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But this shows you the gravity of the BWE.
0:18:37.560,0:18:44.267
In order to file for a BWE, an individual
must meet SSAs definition of statutory
0:18:44.267,0:18:50.484
blindness which is 20/200 prescription in
the better eye or 20° acuity in the
0:18:50.484,0:18:55.719
better eye which is peripheral vision
like seeing side to side.
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Examples include state and federal taxes,
childcare, union dues,
0:19:03.030,0:19:10.306
cost of a service animal that may include
annual checkups, vaccinations, heartworm,
0:19:10.306,0:19:16.803
flea and tick medications, food and more,
uniforms for work cost and care,
0:19:16.803,0:19:22.519
meals consumed at work,
transportation cost, and reader services.
0:19:23.600,0:19:27.660
A reminder,
the difference with IRWEs and BWEs
0:19:27.660,0:19:34.074
is that BWEs do not have to
be related to the disability, but must
0:19:34.074,0:19:39.840
just be needed for work and the total
cost of the expense is excluded.
0:19:41.760,0:19:46.463
Student Earned Income Exclusion,
or the SEIE is the next SSI work
0:19:46.463,0:19:47.960
incentive to discuss.
0:19:48.680,0:19:53.996
For someone to qualify for the SEIE,
they must be under 22 years of age and
0:19:53.996,0:19:57.354
regularly attending school or training
program,
0:19:57.354,0:20:02.670
and they can keep all or most of their
SSI payment and work up to a certain
0:20:02.670,0:20:03.170
amount.
0:20:03.960,0:20:09.160
Students can earn up to $2350 per month
in 2025.
0:20:09.840,0:20:19.590
Up to an annual limit of $9460 in 2025
before their wages impact their SSI
0:20:19.590,0:20:20.760
payments.
0:20:21.280,0:20:24.512
Here again,
these are two COLA numbers that typically
0:20:24.512,0:20:27.865
change each year,
so it's important to keep up with the
0:20:27.865,0:20:30.320
changes in these numbers year after year.
0:20:31.400,0:20:36.560
SEIE can be used during summer months if
that individual is returning to school in
0:20:36.560,0:20:37.120
the fall.
0:20:37.560,0:20:41.220
If they are not,
then the month they graduate will be the
0:20:41.220,0:20:44.440
last month they would qualify for SEIE
and use it.
0:20:44.840,0:20:49.407
Or if they age out,
then the month they turn 22 would be the
0:20:49.407,0:20:53.600
last month they could utilize SEIE as a
work incentive.
0:20:55.360,0:20:59.798
One of the other factors before we
continue with work incentives with
0:20:59.798,0:21:03.920
potential school age individuals and
adults is Medicaid waivers.
0:21:04.480,0:21:08.120
So we have included a slide here with
Indiana's Medicaid waivers.
0:21:08.520,0:21:13.544
You can gain more information on these
waivers and the differences in the
0:21:13.544,0:21:18.635
services from the Bureau of Disabilities
Services or BDS (BDS) in Indiana,
0:21:18.635,0:21:21.080
which overseas the Medicaid waivers.
0:21:21.640,0:21:39.576
You can call them at 1-800-545-7763 or
you can e-mail them at BDS.help@fssa.in.gov.
0:21:41.000,0:21:45.913
The waivers listed are some of the most
common waivers in Indiana,
0:21:45.913,0:21:51.120
and they are the Community Integration
and Habilitation or CIH waiver.
0:21:52.080,0:21:55.520
The Family Supports or FSW waiver.
0:21:56.920,0:22:02.549
The Health and Wellness waiver for those
below the age of 60 - 59 and under - with a
0:22:02.549,0:22:06.067
disability,
formerly called the Aged and Disabled
0:22:06.067,0:22:06.567
waiver.
0:22:07.920,0:22:11.520
The TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury waiver.
0:22:12.600,0:22:16.207
Pathways for Aging waiver for those aged
60 and over,
0:22:16.207,0:22:19.280
formerly called the Aged and Disabled
waiver.
0:22:20.520,0:22:25.202
The Aged and Disabled waiver was split
into two different waivers depending on
0:22:25.202,0:22:25.702
age.
0:22:25.920,0:22:29.953
Those 60 and over fall under the Pathways
waiver now,
0:22:29.953,0:22:35.480
and those who are 59 and under fall under
the Health and Wellness waiver.
0:22:37.160,0:22:41.800
The next SSI work incentive is the 1619(b)
provision.
0:22:42.400,0:22:49.094
1619-B allows individuals to keep their
Medicaid coverage even after they earn
0:22:49.094,0:22:55.280
enough for their SSI check to adjust to 0
if they meet certain criteria.
0:22:56.080,0:23:01.934
1619(b) protects the record with SSI so
that if the individual accountable
0:23:01.934,0:23:08.185
earnings decrease below the SSI break
even point or they lose their job in the
0:23:08.185,0:23:12.062
future,
the SSI cash payments can begin again to
0:23:12.062,0:23:14.040
meet that financial need.
0:23:14.840,0:23:22.329
There is no time limit for 1619(b) as
long as the individual remains under the
0:23:22.329,0:23:26.880
1619(b) threshold and meets the 1619(b)
criteria.
0:23:27.880,0:23:35.480
For Indiana in 2025,
the state threshold is $43,358.
0:23:36.120,0:23:41.760
This is another number similar to COLA
numbers that adjust each year.
0:23:43.600,0:23:48.440
The last work incentive for SSI we will
discuss today is Medworks.
0:23:49.040,0:23:52.240
Medworks is a second line of protection
for Medicaid.
0:23:52.880,0:23:58.357
Medworks is specifically designed for
persons with disabilities who are working
0:23:58.357,0:24:00.960
to encourage earning at higher levels.
0:24:01.720,0:24:07.082
If you are over the 1619(b) threshold,
you can apply for Medworks through your
0:24:07.082,0:24:10.520
local Division of Family Resources or DFR
office.
0:24:11.560,0:24:17.592
SSDI beneficiaries who are working and do
not have Medicaid can also apply for
0:24:17.592,0:24:18.280
Medworks.
0:24:19.960,0:24:25.454
Medworks is paid on a sliding premium
scale based on earnings,
0:24:25.454,0:24:30.600
and this can be for both individuals and
eligible couples.
0:24:31.440,0:24:36.387
When asking to switch to Medworks,
it is important to tell the DFR office
0:24:36.387,0:24:40.800
you want or need to switch to Medworks,
formally called Medicaid.
0:24:40.840,0:24:46.897
For individuals with disabilities who are
working or state,
0:24:46.897,0:24:51.440
you need to be put under Program Code MADW.
0:24:53.640,0:24:57.160
What about that other Social Security
benefit you might be asking?
0:24:57.240,0:25:00.329
Well,
let's now look at the Social Security
0:25:00.329,0:25:03.560
Disability Insurance or SSDI work
incentives.
0:25:05.320,0:25:11.143
Social Security Disability Insurance or
SSDI is a benefit that individuals pay
0:25:11.143,0:25:15.418
into when working either as an employee
or self-employed,
0:25:15.418,0:25:21.020
like an insurance policy through the
Federal Insurance Contributions Act or
0:25:21.020,0:25:22.199
FICA deductions.
0:25:22.880,0:25:26.651
The more the individual earns and the
longer they earn,
0:25:26.651,0:25:32.040
the greater their benefit payment would
be and it would be on their own record.
0:25:33.160,0:25:34.320
Just as it sounds.
0:25:34.320,0:25:39.261
We all pay into car insurance or
homeowner's insurance each month when we
0:25:39.261,0:25:43.268
don't really use it,
but it is the premium that is paid and
0:25:43.268,0:25:48.010
then once something happens where we need
it and we qualify to use it,
0:25:48.010,0:25:49.880
we can pull out and utilize.
0:25:50.360,0:25:51.760
This is the same concept.
0:25:51.760,0:25:56.259
To help you think of SSDI,
we put in monthly by working or through
0:25:56.259,0:26:01.564
self-employment work by the monthly FICA
deductions in our pay stubs and those
0:26:01.564,0:26:06.601
contributions build up and we earn
credits each quarter we work as long as
0:26:06.601,0:26:12.174
we earn a certain amount each quarter for
us to then utilize and pull the benefits
0:26:12.174,0:26:17.479
when we have enough of those credits and
we need the money to help support us.
0:26:18.480,0:26:23.520
An individual can also receive SSDI from
another person's record as well.
0:26:24.040,0:26:29.953
It can be as a disabled adult child from
a parent's record or a disabled widow or
0:26:29.953,0:26:33.920
widowers benefit from the record of a
deceased spouse.
0:26:36.120,0:26:41.640
The first work incentive of SSDI is
called the Trial Work Period or TWP.
0:26:42.440,0:26:47.640
This is 9 months to receive full SSDI
payments during your trial work period.
0:26:47.760,0:26:55.585
Regardless of how much you may earn,
$1160 in 2025 gross earnings in a month
0:26:55.585,0:27:02.700
will be counted as a trial work period
month and these are not always
0:27:02.700,0:27:03.919
consecutive.
0:27:04.560,0:27:09.962
If an individual is self-employed then 80
hours or more worked in that month,
0:27:09.962,0:27:14.464
regardless of the income,
will be counted as a Trial Work Period
0:27:14.464,0:27:14.964
month.
0:27:15.760,0:27:22.250
The $1160 amount for 2025 is
another one of those COLA numbers we've
0:27:22.250,0:27:29.082
discussed throughout the training and may
change each year after the trial work
0:27:29.082,0:27:29.679
period.
0:27:29.960,0:27:36.640
The next work incentive for SSDI is the
Extended Period of Eligibility or EPE.
0:27:37.240,0:27:42.600
This is a period of 36 consecutive months
of a safety net to test working.
0:27:43.440,0:27:48.419
Individuals can work and still receive
benefits for months when their earnings
0:27:48.419,0:27:49.680
are not substantial.
0:27:50.640,0:27:51.960
What does substantial mean?
0:27:52.000,0:27:58.621
Well, according to SSA,
earnings of $1620 in 2025 per month for
0:27:58.621,0:28:06.484
non blind individuals is considered
substantial and $2700 in 2025 per month
0:28:06.484,0:28:13.520
for individuals who are statutory blind
are considered substantial.
0:28:14.400,0:28:19.640
This is called Substantial Gainful
Activity or SGA.
0:28:20.960,0:28:26.976
A reminder that the SGA numbers for both
non blind and stat blind individuals is
0:28:26.976,0:28:31.640
another set of COLA numbers for SSA and
may change each year.
0:28:33.200,0:28:39.647
On this side we discuss impairment
related work expenses for SSDI just like
0:28:39.647,0:28:40.920
IRWE's for SSI.
0:28:41.480,0:28:45.352
The work incentive is the same as far as
concept,
0:28:45.352,0:28:50.000
but they are applied a little different
in SSDI versus SSI.
0:28:50.520,0:28:54.680
And we will have an example for you on
the next slide to show that difference.
0:28:55.000,0:28:58.060
But first,
let's remind you that Irwies are work
0:28:58.060,0:29:01.120
expenses that must be related to the
disability.
0:29:01.600,0:29:05.731
And when considering Irwies,
if submitted and approved by SSA,
0:29:05.731,0:29:11.240
they can deduct that amount from earnings
when looking at eligibility for benefits.
0:29:12.000,0:29:17.668
Examples of IRWEs include but are not
limited to as there is a long list of
0:29:17.668,0:29:22.895
these items as well, prescription drugs,
personal attendant care cost,
0:29:22.895,0:29:27.680
therapy cost, wheelchairs or repairs,
and specialized equipment.
0:29:29.560,0:29:34.920
Here is an example of how an IRWE may
help Henry who receives SSDI.
0:29:35.320,0:29:40.160
Let's look at the difference between
Irwi's for SSI and IRWEs for SSDI.
0:29:41.320,0:29:47.309
Henry receives $900 in SSDI but is
working part time and just got offered
0:29:47.309,0:29:48.200
more hours.
0:29:48.640,0:29:56.752
At first he thinks this is great but then
he remembers the SGA level for this year
0:29:56.752,0:30:02.520
is $1620 and his earnings would increase
to $1675 a month.
0:30:03.000,0:30:07.533
But he currently pays $150 for his prescription,
0:30:07.533,0:30:13.520
co-pays and his medical equipment each
month if his IRWE is approved.
0:30:15.080,0:30:22.135
As we plug this into the formula to
figure Henry's countable income,
0:30:22.135,0:30:29.497
we must take his gross income of $1675
and subtract $150 in IRWEs,
0:30:29.497,0:30:31.440
which equals $1525.
0:30:31.960,0:30:41.578
This is Henry's new countable income the
SSA will consider since $1525 is
0:30:41.578,0:30:43.360
under SGA $1620.
0:30:43.880,0:30:55.297
Henry will get his $900 SSDI check and
$1675 in gross earnings from work for a
0:30:55.297,0:30:59.200
new monthly total of $2575.
0:31:01.560,0:31:05.016
Our next work incentive for SSDI is
actually two,
0:31:05.016,0:31:10.920
but they are always categorized together
called Subsidies and Special Conditions.
0:31:11.720,0:31:16.280
Sometimes a person's disability results
in the need for work accommodations.
0:31:16.840,0:31:20.920
If the accommodations are provided by the
employer, they are a subsidy.
0:31:21.440,0:31:26.059
If they are provided by a third party of
VR employment provider,
0:31:26.059,0:31:28.120
they are a special condition.
0:31:29.160,0:31:32.317
Extra assistance,
reduced production rates,
0:31:32.317,0:31:38.202
frequent breaks and fewer job duties are
all great examples of employer supported
0:31:38.202,0:31:38.920
subsidies.
0:31:39.520,0:31:44.482
If a job coach or employment consultant
is involved and helps coach on the job,
0:31:44.482,0:31:49.320
this is third party assistance and this
is an example of a special condition.
0:31:50.160,0:31:55.318
Value can then be placed on the help,
time for help and then deducted from
0:31:55.318,0:31:59.720
gross earnings to get a lower accountable
income to be counted.
0:32:01.120,0:32:06.577
SSA sends a document to the employer or
the provider for job coaching and these
0:32:06.577,0:32:08.760
entities must fill out the form.
0:32:09.480,0:32:13.457
A reminder that this is not praising the
worker for how great they are and wanting
0:32:13.457,0:32:14.080
to keep them.
0:32:14.520,0:32:19.420
It is time for the employer or job coach
to evaluate what they do for
0:32:19.420,0:32:24.600
accommodations and needs to assist the
employee to keep and do their job.
0:32:25.280,0:32:31.641
Being honest and really evaluating what
they do and assigning a monetary value to
0:32:31.641,0:32:38.003
it is of high importance for these forms
to work and for these work incentives to
0:32:38.003,0:32:39.399
be used correctly.
0:32:41.560,0:32:44.624
Finally,
the last work incentive we will discuss
0:32:44.624,0:32:48.440
for SSDI is the Expedited Reinstatement
of Benefits, or EXR.
0:32:49.040,0:32:53.120
This work incentive is one more safety
net for SSDI users.
0:32:53.440,0:32:58.543
It states that if the benefit check stops
and the person is terminated,
0:32:58.543,0:33:03.576
a person can request an expedited
reinstatement of benefits to restart
0:33:03.576,0:33:04.640
those benefits.
0:33:05.160,0:33:10.544
This is a shorter application that is
completed instead of the full long
0:33:10.544,0:33:14.305
application,
with all supporting medical and other
0:33:14.305,0:33:20.280
documents being submitted to SSA again
and during SSA's EXR eligibility process.
0:33:20.720,0:33:25.520
The beneficiary will receive provisional
pay up to six months worth.
0:33:25.800,0:33:26.720
During this time.
0:33:28.480,0:33:32.080
The healthcare associated with SSDI is
Medicare.
0:33:32.520,0:33:36.944
So let's take a quick look at Medicare
and some of its components here on this
0:33:36.944,0:33:37.444
slide.
0:33:38.200,0:33:43.865
After someone waits 24 months from the
date of entitlement or their first SSDI
0:33:43.865,0:33:47.307
payment,
then that beneficiary becomes eligible
0:33:47.307,0:33:48.240
for Medicare.
0:33:49.000,0:33:54.114
Medicare has different components or
parts to it and each part covers
0:33:54.114,0:33:56.160
different items in services.
0:33:56.720,0:34:02.980
There are many components to Medicare,
but the main three that we will talk
0:34:02.980,0:34:06.440
about today are Part A, Part B and Part D.
0:34:07.400,0:34:13.480
Part A or hospital insurance is free to
all those beneficiaries on SSDI and
0:34:13.480,0:34:17.400
covers the places where services may take
place.
0:34:18.480,0:34:23.793
Part B covers the services that take
place such as doctor's appointments,
0:34:23.793,0:34:27.240
outpatient services and other medical services.
0:34:28.080,0:34:33.353
Part B typically has a premium and
sometimes that premium may be covered by
0:34:33.353,0:34:36.615
a program called the Medicare Savings Program,
0:34:36.615,0:34:42.097
which pays the Part B premium for the
beneficiary putting more money back into
0:34:42.097,0:34:44.039
their SSDI check each month.
0:34:45.720,0:34:51.425
Part D is for covering prescriptions and
this part typically has premiums that go
0:34:51.425,0:34:52.400
along with it.
0:34:54.360,0:35:00.575
Another work incentive to share with you
on Medicare is that those who work their
0:35:00.575,0:35:06.715
way off of SSDI benefits can keep their
Medicare coverage for at least a minimum
0:35:06.715,0:35:08.080
of 93 more months.
0:35:08.720,0:35:14.800
This is called the extended period of
Medicare coverage or EPMC.
0:35:15.800,0:35:21.546
So the healthcare coverage of Medicare
through SSDI may continue forward even
0:35:21.546,0:35:26.040
though the beneficiary is no longer
receiving SSDI payments.
0:35:26.560,0:35:32.075
And the local SSA office can help
determine the exact length and time that
0:35:32.075,0:35:33.840
coverage would continue.
0:35:35.560,0:35:39.903
Now that we've discussed SSA benefits of
SSI and SSDI,
0:35:39.903,0:35:44.800
let's move into another benefits topic
called asset building.
0:35:46.680,0:35:50.916
There are different ways for individuals
receiving benefits to build assets
0:35:50.916,0:35:53.480
through different programs and
opportunities.
0:35:53.920,0:35:58.206
These asset building resources are ABLE
accounts,
0:35:58.206,0:36:04.551
Individual Development Accounts or IDAs
Plan for Achieving Self-Support
0:36:04.551,0:36:10.038
(PASS), Property Essential for
Self-Sufficiency (PESS), trust funds,
0:36:10.038,0:36:14.239
setting goals,
and building for a better future,
0:36:14.239,0:36:18.440
maybe a future without any benefits if
possible.
0:36:19.840,0:36:26.740
The first asset building resource we will
discuss today is the ABLE Account or
0:36:26.740,0:36:30.583
Achieving a Better Life Experience
account,
0:36:30.583,0:36:36.085
and anyone can research Indiana ABLE accounts at
0:36:36.085,0:36:41.239
savewithable.com/IN/home.html,
which is listed on the bottom of the
0:36:41.239,0:36:42.199
slide here.
0:36:42.840,0:36:48.209
ABLE accounts are an opportunity for
individuals with disabilities to save
0:36:48.209,0:36:53.721
money for qualified disability expenses
without losing their eligibility for
0:36:53.721,0:36:58.160
Medicaid and Social Security benefits up
to $100,000 for SSI.
0:36:59.080,0:37:07.680
Examples could be schooling, housing,
equipment, vehicle, and many other items.
0:37:08.640,0:37:13.345
Individuals,
family and friends can save up to $450,000
0:37:13.345,0:37:19.292
in the account with a maximum each
year that can be deposited,
0:37:19.292,0:37:22.400
and that amount is $19,000 In 2025.
0:37:23.040,0:37:28.273
This number has changed each year,
increasing by $1000 and you will want to
0:37:28.273,0:37:33.920
check each year starting in January with
what the allotment is for the next year.
0:37:35.120,0:37:38.150
Currently,
individuals must have a disability
0:37:38.150,0:37:41.840
diagnosis by the age of 26 to utilize the ABLE Account.
0:37:42.560,0:37:50.120
New legislation has passed and that age
will be bumped to the age of 46 in 2026.
0:37:50.680,0:37:55.839
This is great news for those interested
in using the ABLE account but who had a
0:37:55.839,0:37:59.000
disability diagnosis after turning 26
years old.
0:37:59.400,0:38:00.240
Hang in there.
0:38:00.360,0:38:07.515
As 2026 moves that age to 46,
our next asset building resource is the
0:38:07.515,0:38:11.400
Individual Development Account or IDA.
0:38:12.120,0:38:15.506
With IDAs,
individuals can save for the purchase of
0:38:15.506,0:38:18.501
a lifelong asset such as training,
schooling,
0:38:18.501,0:38:23.320
home ownership or purchasing a vehicle
for employment or school purposes.
0:38:23.920,0:38:27.336
Most IDAs do not count as resources for
SSI,
0:38:27.336,0:38:32.880
Medicaid and other benefits and their
resource eligibility requirements.
0:38:33.680,0:38:39.120
IDAs are usually matched at three times
the size of each deposit the person makes.
0:38:39.280,0:38:44.382
So if someone deposits $25 then it is
matched with $75
0:38:44.382,0:38:50.760
so they have $100 in the account,
not just the initial $25 put in.
0:38:51.640,0:39:02.003
For more information on IDAs in Indiana,
please follow the link here at IIDC.
0:39:02.003,0:39:17.267
iidc.indiana.edu/doc/resources/benefits- fact- sheets slash individual-
development- accounts.pdf
0:39:19.760,0:39:23.657
The PASS or Plan for Achieving Self
Support is the next asset building
0:39:23.657,0:39:24.920
resource we'll discuss.
0:39:25.600,0:39:30.477
PASS plans are utilized if a beneficiary
needs to save money to reach a specific
0:39:30.477,0:39:31.080
work goal.
0:39:31.560,0:39:34.739
If so,
beneficiaries may apply for a PASS plan
0:39:34.739,0:39:36.160
with Social Security.
0:39:36.720,0:39:42.058
An important fact for PASS is that money
put into a PASS plan will not be counted
0:39:42.058,0:39:43.360
as income or assets.
0:39:43.800,0:39:50.536
So a PASS may allow beneficiaries to
become eligible for SSI or increase their
0:39:50.536,0:39:51.560
SSI payment.
0:39:52.160,0:39:58.408
Money saved in a PASS is excluded from
most means based benefits like Medicaid
0:39:58.408,0:39:59.120
and SNAP.
0:40:00.120,0:40:05.837
Examples on what a past could be used for,
remember it must be utilized for a
0:40:05.837,0:40:09.722
vocational goal,
include school starting a business,
0:40:09.722,0:40:15.147
tools or adaptive equipment for work,
vehicle or vehicle modifications if
0:40:15.147,0:40:16.320
needed for work.
0:40:17.080,0:40:26.225
To learn more about the past,
you can review the link listed here at
0:40:26.225,0:40:34.818
www.ssa.
gov/disabilityresearch/WI/pass.htm
0:40:36.440,0:40:41.769
The next asset building resource is the
Property Essential for Self Support or
0:40:41.769,0:40:44.400
PESS. Property Essential to Self Support.
0:40:44.400,0:40:49.666
PESS is a Social Security provision that
lets a beneficiary exclude counting
0:40:49.666,0:40:53.824
certain properties,
resources necessary for the beneficiary
0:40:53.824,0:40:59.646
or their family self support When Social
Security calculates their SSI eligibility,
0:40:59.646,0:41:04.913
be sure to tell your Social Security
Administration representative how this
0:41:04.913,0:41:07.200
helps the beneficiary earn money.
0:41:07.200,0:41:11.927
If you are receiving Supplemental
Security Income or SSI and the
0:41:11.927,0:41:17.672
beneficiary owns property or equipment
that the beneficiary uses in their job,
0:41:17.672,0:41:23.199
that beneficiary owns property that
provides income or the beneficiary owns
0:41:23.199,0:41:28.799
property that the beneficiary uses to
provide goods to feed their household.
0:41:29.720,0:41:38.611
To learn more about PESSs,
please refer to the following link:
0:41:38.611,0:41:46.837
www.ssa.
gov/SSI/spotlights/spot- Property- Self-support.htm
0:41:49.480,0:41:54.076
Now let's venture into some information
on a different type of asset building
0:41:54.076,0:41:54.960
resource trust.
0:41:55.880,0:41:59.160
The first trust we will discuss is a
Special Needs Trust.
0:41:59.960,0:42:03.920
A Special Needs Trust is used to shelter
resources.
0:42:04.880,0:42:09.470
A Special Needs Trust allows people with
disabilities to fund their own trust,
0:42:09.470,0:42:13.072
often with funds received through
employment and inheritance,
0:42:13.072,0:42:16.907
back payment from Social Security,
or personal injury settlement,
0:42:16.907,0:42:20.800
which allows them to maintain eligibility
for government benefits.
0:42:21.880,0:42:26.828
Families can also put money in special
needs trust funds for use after their
0:42:26.828,0:42:31.070
death for the individual with
disabilities to use after they have
0:42:31.070,0:42:31.570
passed.
0:42:32.200,0:42:35.928
The special needs trust can only be used
for the primary,
0:42:35.928,0:42:41.005
sole benefit of the beneficiary and at
the sole and absolute discretion of the
0:42:41.005,0:42:41.520
trustee.
0:42:43.880,0:42:46.840
There are two distinct types of special
needs trust.
0:42:47.240,0:42:52.308
Third party special needs trust contain
the assets of someone else for the
0:42:52.308,0:42:57.040
benefit of a person with a disability,
usually a gift or inheritance.
0:42:57.920,0:43:02.977
First party or self settled special needs
trust contains the resources of an
0:43:02.977,0:43:05.080
individual who has a disability.
0:43:05.520,0:43:09.528
Examples include earnings settlement,
Social Security funds,
0:43:09.528,0:43:11.040
and direct inheritance.
0:43:11.960,0:43:15.318
Either trust can be arranged through a
private attorney,
0:43:15.318,0:43:19.560
or it can be part of a pool trust,
such as the ARC Special Needs Trust.
0:43:21.200,0:43:24.526
The next type of trust is the Miller
Trust,
0:43:24.526,0:43:28.080
also known as a qualified income Trust or
QIT.
0:43:28.720,0:43:32.490
The Miller Trust,
also known as Qualified Income Trust or
0:43:32.490,0:43:34.960
QIT, is used to shelter excess income.
0:43:35.600,0:43:41.084
The Miller Trust allows a person to put a
specific amount of their income into the
0:43:41.084,0:43:45.247
trust so that their income is below the
Medicaid income limit,
0:43:45.247,0:43:50.402
allowing them to remain eligible for
Medicaid health insurance and to shelter
0:43:50.402,0:43:55.159
the Medicaid Home and Community Based
Services or HCBS waiver services.
0:43:55.960,0:44:00.222
The Trust is a special legal arrangement
for holding some of the beneficiaries
0:44:00.222,0:44:00.722
income.
0:44:01.200,0:44:05.977
Beneficiaries or families must contact a
special needs lawyer to start this
0:44:05.977,0:44:06.480
process.
0:44:08.200,0:44:13.444
The current resource limit for SSI and
Medicaid is $2000 per month for
0:44:13.444,0:44:19.058
individuals receiving the Home and
Community Based Services or HCBS under a
0:44:19.058,0:44:20.240
Medicaid waiver.
0:44:20.560,0:44:27.811
The applicable earned income amount,
called the Special Income Limit or SEAL,
0:44:27.811,0:44:30.600
is $2901 per month in 2025.
0:44:31.360,0:44:36.629
Individuals who exceed this amount will
no longer be eligible for Medicaid unless
0:44:36.629,0:44:39.200
the individual has a valid Miller Trust.
0:44:40.080,0:44:44.936
The Miller Trust can only be utilized by
those receiving Medicaid waiver benefits
0:44:44.936,0:44:47.720
or those who live in an institutional
setting.
0:44:48.640,0:44:52.400
Interested in looking at a template or
setting up a Miller Trust?
0:44:52.840,0:45:01.941
You can find resources and a template
provided at
0:45:01.941,0:45:09.160
www.in.gov/FSSA/DDRS/4860.HTM.
0:45:11.480,0:45:15.092
On the next few slides,
we share some very important and vital
0:45:15.092,0:45:19.737
information for those beneficiaries and
their Rep payees or support team members
0:45:19.737,0:45:22.719
on reporting to the Social Security
Administration.
0:45:23.600,0:45:28.582
One of the most important things to
remember when receiving Social Security
0:45:28.582,0:45:33.040
benefits is to report your monthly gross
income to Social Security.
0:45:33.760,0:45:37.000
Social Security does not get reports from
the employer.
0:45:37.760,0:45:44.337
It is the employees or representative
payees, otherwise known as the Rep Payees,
0:45:44.337,0:45:50.671
responsibility to report earned gross
income to Social Security Beneficiaries
0:45:50.671,0:45:57.087
who do not report earned gross income or
changes to their work status like job
0:45:57.087,0:46:02.933
loss hours reduced, pay reduced,
or loss of a job may have their Social
0:46:02.933,0:46:09.024
Security benefits calculated incorrectly,
which could result in an over or
0:46:09.024,0:46:10.080
underpayment.
0:46:11.320,0:46:17.386
You must report both SSI and SSDI,
as we shared earlier in the presentation,
0:46:17.386,0:46:21.720
as the two systems do not communicate
with each other.
0:46:22.160,0:46:28.055
This is especially important if a
beneficiary is a concurrent beneficiary,
0:46:28.055,0:46:31.200
meaning that they get both SSI and SSDI.
0:46:33.720,0:46:38.763
When we talk about reporting to SSA,
we share here the ways that one can
0:46:38.763,0:46:39.800
report to them.
0:46:40.680,0:46:45.180
A beneficiary or Rep payee may report
online through the beneficiaries my
0:46:45.180,0:46:46.640
Social Security account.
0:46:47.760,0:46:52.168
They can take copies of pay stubs to
their local Social Security office and
0:46:52.168,0:46:54.720
while there,
ensure that you get a receipt.
0:46:55.600,0:46:59.920
The local office refers to where the
beneficiary lives.
0:47:01.520,0:47:06.120
They can mail copies of pay stubs to
their local Social Security office.
0:47:06.840,0:47:10.820
When mailing copies,
make sure on the outside of your envelope
0:47:10.820,0:47:13.600
that you put where it's being addressed
to.
0:47:13.640,0:47:18.160
SSI or SSDI only.
0:47:18.160,0:47:23.327
For SSI recipients,
they may call the Supplemental Security
0:47:23.327,0:47:27.720
Income Telephone Wage Reporting System,
or SSITWR.
0:47:28.600,0:47:37.183
They can call toll free at 1-800-772-0953,
but it should be noted that this way may
0:47:37.183,0:47:42.600
only be done within the first six days of
the month.
0:47:43.240,0:47:46.800
There is also an app for SSI users.
0:47:47.880,0:47:53.425
After the first six days of the new month,
the phone line is shut down and may not
0:47:53.425,0:47:53.960
be used.
0:47:56.480,0:48:00.272
And when you report to SSA,
there are many other entities that you
0:48:00.272,0:48:03.160
want to share and report these changes to
as well.
0:48:03.840,0:48:08.384
It is important that everyone know about
them as many benefits may be affected by
0:48:08.384,0:48:09.160
those changes.
0:48:09.760,0:48:15.031
Changes in earnings, living situation,
marital situation, address change,
0:48:15.031,0:48:18.451
wage change, birth of a child,
loss of a child,
0:48:18.451,0:48:24.221
or any other change that may occur must
be reported to the local Social Security
0:48:24.221,0:48:24.721
office.
0:48:25.040,0:48:30.588
The local DFR or Division of Family
Resource Office where SNAP and Medicaid
0:48:30.588,0:48:34.311
are housed,
and report to the waiver case manager,
0:48:34.311,0:48:40.297
to the housing manager or HUD office for
the Housing and Urban Development office
0:48:40.297,0:48:45.480
and any other agencies that an individual
is working with for support.
0:48:47.120,0:48:51.055
For this next section of the training,
we're going to move into other topics
0:48:51.055,0:48:54.940
that are important to beneficiaries and
their support team when it comes to
0:48:54.940,0:48:55.440
benefits.
0:48:56.360,0:49:01.106
The first topic in this other topic
section we will cover is benefits
0:49:01.106,0:49:01.920
counselling.
0:49:03.240,0:49:07.840
Let's start off by defining who can
really benefit from benefits counselling.
0:49:08.320,0:49:13.560
Really anyone receiving a Social Security
benefit such as SSDI or SSI.
0:49:14.400,0:49:19.107
Those who receive other state benefits
such as SNAP, TNF, HUD,
0:49:19.107,0:49:25.084
housing assistance or other benefits,
Individuals who have Medicaid or Medicare
0:49:25.084,0:49:26.280
health coverage.
0:49:27.000,0:49:31.595
Basically anyone who is considering work
and receiving benefits can be empowered
0:49:31.595,0:49:35.680
through education on working and the
possible impact on their benefits.
0:49:36.160,0:49:39.040
You can't use what you don't know about.
0:49:40.800,0:49:45.638
For beneficiaries in Indiana who are
receiving VR or vocational rehabilitation
0:49:45.638,0:49:48.455
services,
there is a very easy way to receive
0:49:48.455,0:49:49.680
benefits counseling.
0:49:50.280,0:49:54.658
Vocational rehabilitation counsellors
will authorize benefits counselling for
0:49:54.658,0:49:57.240
those who are receiving any kind of
benefits.
0:49:58.120,0:50:02.760
A person does not have to be working yet
to go through benefits counselling.
0:50:04.080,0:50:09.454
Benefits counselling can be an effective
way to alleviate fears early on and help
0:50:09.454,0:50:11.880
a person see the benefits of working.
0:50:12.720,0:50:17.521
All the beneficiary or support team
member has to do is ask for a Ben
0:50:17.521,0:50:22.597
Benefits Information Network referral for
BIN services to do the benefits
0:50:22.597,0:50:27.673
counseling through a BIN Liaison,
the certified benefits counselor in the
0:50:27.673,0:50:30.759
state of Indiana to complete these
services.
0:50:32.800,0:50:36.843
Where can a person go for help if they
are not working with Vocational
0:50:36.843,0:50:38.040
Rehabilitation or VR?
0:50:38.320,0:50:41.764
Well,
they have a few options which include
0:50:41.764,0:50:47.792
utilizing their ticket to work people
aged 18 to 64 who are receiving SSI or
0:50:47.792,0:50:51.080
SSDI to access work supports and services.
0:50:51.440,0:50:57.091
They can do this by connecting with an
employment network or EN or the work
0:50:57.091,0:51:01.107
incentives,
planning and assistance with a project in
0:51:01.107,0:51:02.000
their state.
0:51:04.720,0:51:09.120
For Indiana individuals,
we have the Benefits Information Network
0:51:09.120,0:51:10.120
or BIN project.
0:51:10.640,0:51:15.080
This is special to Indiana only and no
other state currently has benefits
0:51:15.080,0:51:16.400
counselling like this.
0:51:16.760,0:51:19.880
We have had the BIN project since 2005.
0:51:20.520,0:51:23.720
All other states just have the WIPA
project.
0:51:25.120,0:51:28.743
In 2005,
the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
0:51:28.743,0:51:32.958
Services or vRS,
the Indiana Institute on Disability and
0:51:32.958,0:51:37.173
Community, IIDC,
and the Social Security Administration,
0:51:37.173,0:51:42.793
SSA came together to develop capacity
building throughout Indiana to engage
0:51:42.793,0:51:46.786
providers and community advocates in
supporting work,
0:51:46.786,0:51:50.040
incentive planning and assistance
services.
0:51:50.960,0:51:57.367
The Benefits Information Network is
funded by Indiana Vocational
0:51:57.367,0:52:04.761
Rehabilitation Services and more
information may be found at the link here
0:52:04.761,0:52:06.240
www.vrs.in.gov.
0:52:07.920,0:52:10.880
Why, you ask,
is the BIN Project so important?
0:52:11.440,0:52:15.907
One of the biggest reasons that
individuals with disabilities do not try
0:52:15.907,0:52:20.680
to work is because of the fear of losing
their benefits of pay or healthcare.
0:52:21.400,0:52:26.475
Myths and misinformation that is out
there and beneficiaries listen to friends,
0:52:26.475,0:52:30.600
family members, strangers,
and even those who are trying to help
0:52:30.600,0:52:34.280
them but are not educated on benefits can
be detrimental.
0:52:35.360,0:52:38.400
Benefits counselling is very
individualized.
0:52:38.720,0:52:43.440
There is not just one general answer for
everyone or everything.
0:52:45.440,0:52:49.600
There are three services through the
Indiana BIN Project.
0:52:50.240,0:52:56.620
Benefits Review and Education or BRE is a
snapshot of what benefits the individual
0:52:56.620,0:53:00.080
has verified through SSA and state
benefits.
0:53:00.920,0:53:04.480
This also shows the employment goals of
the individual.
0:53:05.840,0:53:11.421
The Personalized Benefits Counselling or
PBC is a deeper dive into work incentives,
0:53:11.421,0:53:16.738
other programs that the individual may be
eligible for and look at how work may
0:53:16.738,0:53:18.200
affect those benefits.
0:53:19.480,0:53:22.556
Finally,
the third is the follow through services
0:53:22.556,0:53:26.985
or FTS staying engaged with the
beneficiary through ongoing support and
0:53:26.985,0:53:31.600
assistance with the transfer of knowledge
to the Indiana whip up projects.
0:53:31.840,0:53:34.720
For long term benefits counseling
services.
0:53:35.480,0:53:41.291
It should be noted that the FTS service
is only available to the SE Plus grant
0:53:41.291,0:53:45.851
demonstration sites,
which currently are 5 state sites across
0:53:45.851,0:53:46.440
Indiana.
0:53:48.480,0:53:53.245
The next topic we'll discuss is the
Indiana WIPA project or Work Incentives
0:53:53.245,0:53:55.200
Planning and Assistance Project.
0:53:56.680,0:54:00.400
There are two federally funded WIPA
projects in Indiana.
0:54:00.800,0:54:05.902
The SSA determines both the location and
the service area for these WIPA
0:54:05.902,0:54:10.120
projects, not only in Indiana,
but every state in the nation.
0:54:10.840,0:54:15.662
In Indiana we have two,
the Central North with a project which is
0:54:15.662,0:54:22.117
provided by Aspire Indiana and the second
is the Central South with a project which is
0:54:22.117,0:54:23.440
provided by SIRS.
0:54:23.920,0:54:29.332
The map here shows the Central North counties
that are in purple where the white
0:54:29.332,0:54:33.480
counties are those served by SIRS in the
Central South office.
0:54:34.240,0:54:38.674
The contact websites, phone numbers,
and fax numbers for both locations are
0:54:38.674,0:54:40.600
listed here on the slide for you.
0:54:43.080,0:54:46.942
If someone does not have the local
offices contact information,
0:54:46.942,0:54:50.261
they lose it or have general questions
about benefits,
0:54:50.261,0:54:53.399
they can call the National Ticket to Work
Helpline.
0:54:53.880,0:54:57.640
This number is for beneficiaries who have
general questions about benefits.
0:54:58.040,0:55:03.386
This is the national helpline and anyone
in Indiana or any other state may utilize
0:55:03.386,0:55:04.160
this number.
0:55:04.640,0:55:08.998
The helpline will gather some pertinent
information on where the person lives and
0:55:08.998,0:55:12.240
they will then connect them with their
local with a project.
0:55:12.840,0:55:24.116
That helpline number is 1-866-968-7842
and if someone needs TTY assistance that
0:55:24.116,0:55:27.640
number is 1-866-833-2967.
0:55:29.200,0:55:34.117
Here in this chart you can see or review
the difference between the WIPA project
0:55:34.117,0:55:37.080
work and the BIN project work that is in
Indiana.
0:55:37.880,0:55:42.355
Both provide benefits counseling,
but the main focus is that the BIN
0:55:42.355,0:55:46.700
project provides quick gathering of data,
getting releases signed,
0:55:46.700,0:55:51.046
and then verifying with local,
state and federal agencies what the
0:55:51.046,0:55:55.715
beneficiary has, their timelines,
and what programs may be eligible for
0:55:55.715,0:55:56.215
them.
0:55:57.400,0:56:02.303
The BIN liaisons then provide a quick
snapshot as the first service after
0:56:02.303,0:56:07.669
verifying the information is correct in
the Benefits Review and Education or BRE
0:56:07.669,0:56:08.200
service.
0:56:09.480,0:56:14.784
They then dig deeper into all work
incentives and other programs like asset
0:56:14.784,0:56:20.228
building that the beneficiary may be
eligible for and complete a personalized
0:56:20.228,0:56:24.206
benefits counselling or PBC report which
is much longer,
0:56:24.206,0:56:29.301
typically 8 to 12 pages on all the
benefits the beneficiary has and what
0:56:29.301,0:56:33.280
they may be eligible for through SSA and
other agencies.
0:56:34.280,0:56:37.781
Finally,
the follow through services or FTS assist
0:56:37.781,0:56:42.931
the BIN liaison to work with that
beneficiary and their teams until the VR
0:56:42.931,0:56:48.424
case is closed by transferring the case
to the local WIPA project staff to take
0:56:48.424,0:56:51.720
over the case and provide longer term
services.
0:56:52.600,0:56:55.763
All in all,
the BIN project helps to do short term
0:56:55.763,0:57:00.787
verified benefits counseling to assist
the WIPA project and then helps to ensure
0:57:00.787,0:57:05.811
the beneficiary does not fall through the
cracks and refers them for longer term
0:57:05.811,0:57:07.920
services with the WIPA project.
0:57:08.480,0:57:13.627
This helps the flow in Indiana of more
benefits counselling being done through
0:57:13.627,0:57:18.580
the 125 BIN liaisons located around the
state and then going to the WIPA
0:57:18.580,0:57:23.532
projects once they are working or near
work to assist applying for any work
0:57:23.532,0:57:26.400
incentive that they may have learned
about.
0:57:29.080,0:57:32.151
Finally,
as we draw to the end of our training
0:57:32.151,0:57:35.287
today,
we have shared some resources for you on
0:57:35.287,0:57:40.580
benefits and other services in Indiana
and also nationally and we hope you enjoy
0:57:40.580,0:57:42.280
them and find them useful.
0:57:44.840,0:57:50.009
The first resource is a great tool in the
form of a course that is easy and offered
0:57:50.009,0:57:51.240
by the team at CCLC.
0:57:51.640,0:57:56.324
The Center on Community Living and
Careers offers a comprehensive course on
0:57:56.324,0:58:00.516
disability benefits that covers federal,
state, and local benefits,
0:58:00.516,0:58:02.920
work incentives, and asset development.
0:58:03.280,0:58:07.000
It is a national course but covers
examples of Indiana benefits.
0:58:07.440,0:58:11.240
The course is 6 weeks long and takes 10
hours to complete the course.
0:58:11.840,0:58:17.123
The course is online, asynchronous,
and the student has access to the course
0:58:17.123,0:58:21.720
24/7 through the Learning Management
System or LMS, called Canvas.
0:58:22.400,0:58:26.200
The course cost $150.
00 and is offered quarterly.
0:58:26.800,0:58:33.244
The course does offer a certificate of
completion, 10 PGP points for educators,
0:58:33.244,0:58:38.480
and one continuing Education Unit,
or CEU for course completers.
0:58:39.040,0:58:50.760
The course can be found at www.go.iu.
edu/four MQM under the title.
0:58:54.400,0:58:58.818
This slide provides the resources on many
of the agency's concepts or assistance
0:58:58.818,0:59:00.400
for you joining the training.
0:59:00.400,0:59:03.377
Today,
here you'll find the CCLC Open Office hours
0:59:03.377,0:59:06.481
that offer assistance with benefits,
employment,
0:59:06.481,0:59:10.600
and transition services for anyone who is
interested in joining.
0:59:11.000,0:59:16.639
The open office hours are hosted every
Thursday via a Zoom link from 2:30 PM to
0:59:16.639,0:59:18.120
4:30 PM Eastern Time.
0:59:18.680,0:59:20.760
These are not just for Indiana
individuals.
0:59:20.760,0:59:25.858
For those in other states or countries,
we welcome you to join us as well via the
0:59:25.858,0:59:26.480
Zoom link.
0:59:26.840,0:59:29.480
Just adjust the time for your local time
zone.
0:59:30.560,0:59:35.670
The BIN project has a link for accessing
fact sheets on all things benefits and
0:59:35.670,0:59:36.680
work incentives.
0:59:37.280,0:59:40.707
The Ticket to Work program link on how to
use, assign,
0:59:40.707,0:59:43.200
or change the assignment of your ticket.
0:59:44.080,0:59:49.240
Aspire Indiana's website for the Indiana
WIPA project for Central North service
0:59:49.240,0:59:49.800
counties.
0:59:50.640,0:59:55.451
Serves Indiana's website for the Indiana
WIPA project for Central South service
0:59:55.451,0:59:56.000
counties.
0:59:57.240,1:00:02.172
Indiana Disability Resource Finder,
which is an Indiana resource website to
1:00:02.172,1:00:05.807
assist with finding community
rehabilitation providers,
1:00:05.807,1:00:09.117
support for residential providers,
local supports,
1:00:09.117,1:00:14.050
equipment repairs or replacement,
and much for those in Indiana by plugging
1:00:14.050,1:00:17.880
in your location and typing in what you
are searching for.
1:00:19.960,1:00:25.237
This resource page shares information on
the Indiana Housing and Community
1:00:25.237,1:00:30.514
Development Authority, or IHCDA,
which houses and administers the ID as we
1:00:30.514,1:00:31.639
discussed today.
1:00:32.640,1:00:37.160
The next is the link for the ARC of
Indiana, which gives information on trust.
1:00:38.120,1:00:42.110
Up next is the link for the Social
Security Administration's Redbook,
1:00:42.110,1:00:44.960
which is a guide to benefits and work
incentives.
1:00:45.840,1:00:51.793
The next link is s s as Office Locator to
help you find your local SSA office to
1:00:51.793,1:00:54.440
report to or work with for benefits.
1:00:55.840,1:01:00.451
The next link is for Indiana residents
for the Division of Family Resources or
1:01:00.451,1:01:01.560
DFR Office Locator.
1:01:02.040,1:01:04.688
Again,
this helps to find the local office that
1:01:04.688,1:01:08.000
you would work with for SNAP, Medicaid,
and other services.
1:01:09.240,1:01:12.557
Finally,
the last two are more national websites
1:01:12.557,1:01:17.500
to utilize for the National Disability
Network and the final link is the
1:01:17.500,1:01:21.360
National ABLE Network to research more on
ABLE accounts.
1:01:23.440,1:01:28.595
The last slide here provides contact
information for the Centre on Community
1:01:28.595,1:01:33.951
Living and Careers or CCLC at the Indiana
Institute on Disability and Community
1:01:33.951,1:01:35.959
IIDC at Indiana University IU.
1:01:36.480,1:01:46.800
You can find the website here at www.iidc.indiana.Edu/CCLC.
1:01:47.520,1:01:54.000
You can also connect with Brady at
bfpowers@iu.edu
1:01:54.000,1:01:58.320
or call him at 812-855-0741.
1:01:58.840,1:02:04.271
Brady can assist with connecting you to
other members of the BIN Project team,
1:02:04.271,1:02:08.548
staff members at CCLC,
or across the courtyard at IIDC and the
1:02:08.548,1:02:11.400
six other centers focused on disabilities.
