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FAQs

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

A Plan for Achieving Self Support PASS is a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) work incentive that allows a person with a disability to set aside income and/or resources for a specified period of time to achieve a work goal. For example, a person may set aside income and/or resources for obtaining an education, job coaching or other support services, transportation, job-related items or equipment to start a business. Any person who receives SSI benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and could qualify for SSI can have a PASS plan.

A PASS must:

  • Be individualized, specifically designed for the person.
  • Increase the person's self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on SSA benefits.
  • Have a feasible and reasonable work goal that the person is capable of achieving.
  • Include interval steps/milestones.
  • Have a specific time frame for reaching the goal.
  • Show the sources of income/resources to be set aside.
  • Include an explanation of the expenditures to be covered by the set aside Income and/or
    resources.
  • Be in writing, SSA has established form SSA-545 to assist in completing a comprehensive plan.
    Show how the income/resources to be set aside will be kept clearly and easily identifiable from
    other funds.
  • Be approved by SSA and periodically reviewed to assure compliance.

Income and/or resources that are set aside in a PASS are not counted as income and resources in determining SSI eligibility. For example, a person whose income is considered too high for SSI eligibility requirements may develop a PASS to maintain or become eligible for SSI while pursuing their work goal. A distinct advantage of a PASS is that it allows a person to direct their own career plan and secure the necessary items/services to reach their work goal.

To qualify for a PASS, a person must:

  • Be under age 65;
  • Meet SSA's satisfaction of disability or blindness;
  • Meet all SSI eligibility criteria with the exception of the income and resources test; and
  • Have earnings, unearned income, deemed income, in-kind support or resources to set aside in the
    PASS.

For more information on PASS see the VCU Briefing Paper on PASS:
Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)
PASS-PDF | PASS-Word | PASS-text

POMS Resources:
FAQ Disclaimer: The VCU-BARC FAQ Pages are general information provided as a public service. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy, interpretations or opinion of the Social Security Administration (SSA). The information contained here is intended to inform readers of issues that may affect Social Security and/or other public assistance benefits. Because individual circumstances differ, the reader should not rely on any information here as being specifically applicable to an individual's situation.