Benefits Planning Summary Social Security Disability Insurance This is a summary of the work incentives available to you if you get SSDI. We talked about the items checked below. See the comments section for any specific issues or recommendations. Consumer Name: _________________________ SS#: ______________________________ Counselor Name: ____________________________Phone: ____________________________ Trial Work Period—A period of nine months (not necessarily consecutive) during which the earnings of a Social Security beneficiary who is blind or disabled will not affect his or her benefit. (The nine months of work must occur within a 60-month period. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ Extended Period of Eligibility—For at least three years after a successful trial work period, a Social Security beneficiary who is blind or disabled may receive a disability benefit for any month that his/her earnings are below the substantial gainful activity level (in 2003, $800 for people who are disabled, $1,330 for people who are blind). Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Impairment-Related Work Expenses—Certain expenses for things a person with a disability needs because of his/her impairment in order to work may be deducted when counting earnings to determine if the person is performing substantial gainful activity. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subsidies and Special Conditions--- refer to support you receive on the job that could result in your receiving more pay than the actual value of the services you performed. We deduct the value of subsidies and special conditions from your earnings when we decide whether you are working at the SGA level. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Continuation of Medicare—If Social Security disability payments stop because a person has earnings at or above the substantial gainful activity level, but the person is still disabled, Medicare can continue for at least 93 months after the trial work period. After that, the person can buy Medicare coverage by paying a monthly premium. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Recovery During Vocational Rehabilitation—If a person recovers while participating in a vocational rehabilitation program that is likely to lead to becoming self-supporting, benefits may continue until the program ends. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ Special Rules For Persons Who Are Blind—Several special rules apply to working beneficiaries who are blind. For example, in 2003, they can earn up to $1,330 before their benefits are affected. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ticket to Work---The Ticket allows beneficiaries/recipients more choices in seeking assistance from Employment Networks to work. You are protected from a Medical Review by Social Security when you Ticket is assigned to an Employment Network. The Ticket is voluntary. You do not have to assign your Ticket to take use these Work Incentives. Comments:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Expedited Benefits—As of January 1, 2001, if a beneficiary’s benefits have ended because of earnings from work and he/she becomes unable to work again because of his/her medical condition within 60 months, benefits may begin again without a new application. Commments:______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please contact me if you have any questions.