March 2024 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter brings exciting news, work incentives information, success stories, and other valuable information for beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), their families, and the professionals that serve them.

In this issue:

Upcoming Spotlight on Social Security Webinar: Benefits Counseling to Support Work Efforts - How you can access benefits planning services in your community

DOR offers webinars, provided by industry experts who share valuable information and resources for beneficiaries of SSI and/or SSDI.

Don’t miss out! Go to our 2024 Webinar Calendar to register for future webinars!

This month's webinar:

Title: Benefits Counseling to Support Work Efforts - How you can access benefits planning services in your community
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. PST
Location: Zoom
Event Information: Interested in going to work but not sure how that might impact your cash and health benefits? Check out this month’s webinar where we discuss resource available to help you get a better understanding of your disability benefits.

Register for the March 21st Webinar

Submit your questions about the Ticket To Work program

This month’s featured Spotlight Article: Filing Your Taxes and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)!

Tax season is here! If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to grab some coffee, gather your documents, and prepare to file your taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting income tax returns beginning January 29, 2024 and will conclude the regular tax filing season on Monday, April, 15 2024. For many individuals with disabilities, navigating the tax filing process can seem like a daunting task. The good news is, there are many great resources to help you file. Even if you believe that you don’t owe any taxes, or that you didn’t earn enough in 2023 to be required to file taxes, there is still a benefit to filing your taxes, because you may still be entitled to a tax refund! In this article we will cover the basics of filing your taxes, how you can get assistance, and some great tax credits that may help you save your hard-earned money.

Important documents you will need when filing your taxes include:

  • Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents
  • Birthdates for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents
  • Photo ID(s)
  • Income forms such as a W-2
  • 1099 forms from banks or other payers
  • Social Security benefit statements
  • Bank and routing numbers (To receive any tax refunds as a direct deposit)
  • Previous tax returns (If available)
  • Health insurance forms
  • Documents for any other types of income received
  • All other tax documents received

Are there ways to file your taxes for free?

Yes! There are a variety of ways that you can file your taxes both online and in-person. The great thing about many of these services is that they are safe, secure, and allow you to file your taxes for free! Eligibility requirements and types of services provided can vary, so it is recommended to contact the program first to ensure they are a good match for your needs. Some programs to consider include:

  • IRS Free File is an online service that allows qualified individuals to file their federal income tax return online using a guided tax preparation software.

  • GetYourRefund.org and MyFreeTaxes.com can connect you with free self-guided online tax filing software. For those who need additional assistance, they can connect you with an IRS certified tax preparer at no charge.

How can I get help with filing my taxes?

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs are IRS-sponsored programs that provide free tax help for qualified individuals, which include those with disabilities. VITA programs can offer a variety of tax assistance options including virtual tax preparation, drop-off services, and self-preparation help. These services can vary based on availability. To find a VITA program near you, you can use the Find Free Tax Help tool on the IRS website.

If you need assistance finding local tax preparation or other resources, you can call or text United Way 2-1-1 for assistance at 211 (local) or 1-844-322-3639 (National).

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

Life's a little easier with eitc. Earned income tax credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families receive more money at the end of the year through a tax break. For those who qualify, the credit can help reduce the taxes owed, or possibly increase a tax refund. Did you know that each year only about four out of every five eligible workers claim the EITC? That means that there are millions of workers each year that are eligible for the EITC but don’t receive it because they did not file their taxes and claim the credit.

If you qualify and claim the credit, some workers can be eligible for up to $7,430 in credits from the IRS. In 2022, California residents received over $5.5 billion in credits under the EITC with an average credit of $2,332 per claim. Don’t be the one in five that misses out on this credit. If you or someone you know earned less than $63,398 from wages, running a business or farm or from Form 1099 MISC, you may qualify for a credit.

You can use the EITC Assistant to find out if you are eligible and get an estimate on how much you may be entitled to.

Building financial resilience with the help of the National Disability Institute (NDI)

ndi - financial resilience center

NDI defines financial resilience as the ability to bounce back through difficult time, emerge on the other side, and flourish in the "new normal". NDI’s Financial Resilience Center serves as an online hub of information to help individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions build their financial resilience.

NDI’s Financial Resilience Center answers frequently asked questions about Employment and Unemployment; Public Benefits; Housing, Food and Healthcare; Money Management; Identity Theft; and more. Provided at no cost, these resources and tips are designed to increase financial stability and reduce economic stress. Additionally, the Center’s partnership with the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education® (AFCPE) provides referrals to one-on-one, virtual financial counseling or coaching, and LifeCents which offers online financial wellness training that gives personalized guidance for each individual’s situation.

The Financial Resilience Center is updated frequently. Visit the Financial Resilience Center and sign up for email updates to continuously receive information on new resources and current event updates as they become available. The Financial Resilience Center was developed by NDI with generous funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Interested in learning more about your disability benefits?

Are you ready to go to work?

Meeting with a Work Incentives Planner (WIP) is a great way to get the facts about your Social Security Benefits.

Sound Interesting?

Talk to your DOR counselor to see if you are eligible for DOR WIP Services.

Not currently Receiving DOR Services?

If you are ready to start an exciting journey with DOR, please click here to Get Started. You will need to provide additional information about yourself to request services.

Subscribe to the New Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter

Subscribe now to get our Newsletter that focuses on topics related to Social Security Disability Benefits. The newsletter will keep you up to date with the latest developments in Social Security benefits and related programs and provide you with important information that may help you make informed decisions about your future.

If you missed the February newsletter, you can now read it online.