September 2024 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

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

In this issue:

Webinar – Supplemental Security Income and Employment: Yes, You Can Work!

Wondering how going to work might impact your SSI benefits? Join us to get the facts about what will happen to your cash benefits, how to stay eligible for SSI and how to keep your Medi-Cal coverage when you are working. Discover how Social Security work incentives can help you achieve financial independence.

Title: Supplemental Security Income and Employment: Yes, You Can Work!
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. PST
Location: Zoom

Don't miss out: Register for the September 19th Webinar

Have a question about this webinar? Submit your questions here.

Register for future webinars or explore archived recordings, such as our recent webinar, Understanding the Social Security Continuing Disability Review.

Featured Spotlight Article - SSI and Work: What You Need to Know!

Are you receiving SSI and thinking about getting a job? Many people believe that working will result in the immediate loss of cash or health benefits, but this isn't necessarily true. It’s important to understand that getting a job doesn’t mean losing your benefits. You might be wondering how working will affect your benefits. Let’s read on to find out.

What is SSI?

SSI is a need based monthly payment from the government to help people who are aged, disabled or blind, who have low income, and limited resources. It is designed to help you meet basic needs for food, clothing and housing. It is different from SSDI. SSI is for individuals who haven’t worked enough to qualify for SSDI.

Can I Work While on SSI?

Yes! You can work while receiving SSI, but your SSI payment will change based on how much you earn. Don’t worry, you won’t lose your benefits immediately if you start working. SSI has work incentives to support your employment efforts without jeopardizing your benefits, and they can help you keep more of your money!

What Is a Work Incentive?

Work incentives are special rules designed to make it easier for anyone, receiving SSI or SSDI, to go to work. These rules help you transition into employment, allowing you to work at whatever level is best for you, without losing your benefits. They also let you keep Medi-Cal while you're working. If your income becomes too high and your benefits stop, but the job doesn’t work out, you can request to have your benefits reinstated without needing to reapply. For SSI, most work incentives allow you to exclude some or all of your income to maximize your SSI payment.

How Do I Know Which Work Incentives Apply to Me?

The right work incentives for you will depend on your specific situation. Things like the type of disability benefits you receive, your earnings, your disability, your living arrangement, and your employment goals all play a role in determining which incentives are the best fit for you.

Both SSI and SSDI have their own work incentives. To find out which ones would work best for you, you can talk to a Work Incentives Planner (WIP) at DOR or a Certified Work Incentives Counselor at your local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance project. 

Here are a few examples of work incentives you might qualify for:

  • Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE):
    If you have disability related expenses necessary for work, Social Security will deduct the cost of the items or services you need to lower your countable income. This means you could get back some of the money you spent on things like wheelchairs, doctor visits, counseling services, medical expenses, paratransit and more. For more information visit: Impairment Related Work Expenses

  • Blind Work Expenses (BWE):
    Social Security has special rules for people who are blind. They allow you to subtract the cost of any reasonable expense that you need for work from your earnings when calculating your monthly SSI payment. Some examples include transportation, taxes, guide dog expenses, visual and sensory aids and many more. For more information visit: Social Security’s Spotlight on BWEs and Ticket to Work Fact Sheet

  • Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS):
    This program allows you to set aside income and resources for a specific work goal, like paying for education, attend a training, pay for childcare, purchase equipment or tools, without affecting your SSI eligibility. Money saved in a PASS account doesn’t count towards your SSI resource limit ($2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples) and won’t be considered income. It’s a great opportunity to invest in your future while keeping the financial support you rely on. For more information visit: Social Security PASS and PASS Online

  • Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE):
    If you’re under 22, in school, and receive SSI, SEIE allows you to work while you are going to school. In 2024, you can earn up to $2,290 a month with no impact on your SSI benefits, until your earnings reach $9,230 for the year. This means you can try work with little or no impact on your SSI! For more information visit: Social Security Spotlight on SEIE

  • Expedited Reinstatement (EXR):
    If your SSI benefits stop because of your earnings, you can request reinstatement without having to file a new application if you become unable to work within 5 years.

How Does Working Affect My SSI Payment?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a formula to figure out how much of your income to count when they calculate your monthly SSI payment. When you are working, SSA will reduce your SSI by subtracting part of your income from your SSI payment.

If your only income is SSI and earnings from work, here’s how it works:

  1. The first $20 of any income doesn’t count. SSA calls this the General Income Exclusion.

  2. The first $65 of earnings from working doesn’t count. This incentive is called the Earned Income Exclusion and is in addition to the $20 rule.

  3. After that, SSA only counts half of your earnings. For every $2 you make, SSA only reduces your SSI by $1.

For example:

  • You work and earn $1,000
  • $1,000 - $85 = $915
  • $915 / 2 = $457.50
  • SSA will reduce your SSI payment by $457.50

As you can see, less than half of your gross earnings will count toward your SSI payment, meaning when you combine your adjusted SSI payment with your paycheck, you’ll end up with more monthly income overall! Join us for our webinar on September 19, 2024 – our presenters will show you how Social Security calculates your SSI payment using your gross earnings and work incentives.

It is important to note that if you are eligible to use other work incentives (IRWEs, BWEs, SEIE, PASS Plan) then your SSI payment will go up and you will maximize your income.

If I Go to Work, Can I Keep My Healthcare Benefits?

For many SSI recipients, keeping healthcare benefits is a primary concern when considering going to work. The good news is, there are work incentives to help you find a Medi-Cal (Medicaid) program to fit your situation.

  • SSI-Linked Medi-Cal
    In California, if you receive SSI, you automatically receive SSI-linked Medi-Cal. As long as you receive an SSI payment of any amount, you will keep your Medi-Cal long term. You must continue to meet SSI eligibility rules.

  • SSI-Linked Medi-Cal 1619(b) Provision
    Your work and earnings may cause your SSI to stop, but you can keep your Medi-Cal. Under the 1619(b) rule, you can earn up to $58,638 ($60,663 if you are blind) and keep your Medi-Cal coverage. If you have high out of pocket disability-related expenses, you may qualify for a higher earnings limit. It’s important to remember that you need to continue to meet SSI requirements, such as the resource limit and have a qualifying disability.

  • Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program (WDP)
    If you don’t qualify for Medi-Cal through SSI, you can still get coverage through the WDP. This program allows people with disabilities who work to get free Medi-Cal. In 2024/2025, you can earn up to $76,320 per year and continue receiving Medi-Cal benefits. You can apply for this program at your local County Social Services Office.

Additional Resources to Learn About Work Incentives

This newsletter is intended to provide general information. There are many factors to consider when calculating how working might affect your SSI benefits. For accurate and personalized guidance, we recommend that you consult with a qualified WIP or directly with Social Security.

Resources for Reporting Wages to Social Security

When receiving SSI, it’s important to report certain information to Social Security to avoid issues with your benefits. You should let them know when you start or stop working, report your wages every month or anytime you have changes. For SSI, your wages from work should be reported by the 6th of every month. For example, wages from January should be reported by February 6th. You can report in person, by phone, online using the my Social Security account or on the SSA Mobile Wage Reporting App on your smart phone. Please contact your local SSA office to see what options are available to you.

SSA resources

This Month’s DOR Work Incentive Planning Services Success Story

Ania’s Success with SSI Work Incentives

Ania has been working at a local grocery store one day a week while attending her Transitions Program at her school district. Her mother, who helps manage Ania’s SSI benefits, reported her earnings to Social Security regularly. However, they later found out that Ania wasn’t receiving the SEIE, which allows students to exclude some of their earnings from being counted by SSI. This meant that Ania wasn’t getting the full benefit she deserved.

Ania’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor referred them to a WIP who helped them submit the correct school documents to request the SEIE, going back two years. After some follow-up, they got great news: Social Security approved the SEIE for Ania, removed her overpayment, and paid her the money she was owed.

In addition, thanks to the WIP’s guidance, Ania and her mother also learned about other important resources, like applying for CalFresh and opening a CalABLE account to save money for the future without risking her SSI eligibility. They also now know when to report changes to Social Security to avoid any issues in the future. Ania just graduated from her Transitions Program and is excited to continue working. She and her family are well prepared to manage Ania’s benefits moving forward. Her success is truly a result of the support and collaboration of her family, school, and community.

You too can work with a WIP like Ania!

  • Interested in learning about your disability benefits?
  • Are you ready to go to work?
  • Meeting with a 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.

If you are not receiving DOR services, contact the Ticket-to-Work Helpline for assistance. They can help you find a local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Program to receive free benefits planning. Helpline:1-866-968-7842 or online at choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp.

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.

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