To Work or Not to Work

Many folks with disabilities weigh the consequences of working and losing benefits against not working and retaining Medicaid or Medicare or some combination of entitlement health insurance. Such a concern is justifiable yet never let it stand in your way. Working is good for your soul, besides, Uncle Sam wants you to work! For those afraid they will lose medical benefits, there are plenty of programs that should belie your fears such as Social Security’s Ticket to Work or PASS Plan.

When I was in business school we were taught to strive to maximize profit. In the case of an individual, that translates to maximize income, so it is a little odd for me to realize some people are thinking, “I want to make money but not too much money.” I think anyone that limits their income is losing out. I say maximize your income AND benefits.

If you make a cyber trip to http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.html you’ll see the following:

Getting disability benefits? We can help you get to work!
Social Security work incentives at a glance
How your earnings affect your Social Security benefits
If you lose your job
Special rules for workers who are blind
SSI work incentives at a glance
How your earnings affect your SSI payments
How long your Medicaid will continue
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program

That’s plenty of material to digest. Being basically lazy, I wanted someone to interpret these for me so I decided to make a cyber trip to Advocacy Incorporated to see if they could help me wade through the regulations. I spoke with Walston Werner at Advocacy Inc. who assured me Advocacy Inc will help people navigate the paperwork maze. They will help us understand all these social security benefit programs.

Advocacy Inc also has handouts on their web site. You may find EM8 and EM9 helpful. Those forms provide information on health benefits and TPASS. The Texas Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (TPASS) Project was established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. This project, which is funded by the Social Security Administration, is responsible for protecting the legal rights of Social Security beneficiaries in their efforts to return to work. The TPASS program does two things. First, it will give information and advice about getting vocational rehabilitation services. Second, it will provide advocacy or other services that a beneficiary needs to find work for the first time or return to work.

Under TPASS services, the Advocacy Inc. will:

provide information about programs, services, and supports available to help you return to work.
Provide information about the many work incentives that may be helpful in your efforts to obtain meaningful employment,
Refer you to professionals who can explain how returning to work will affect your benefits and help you plan for the future.
Provide you with assistance if you have problems in getting the services and support you need to return to work.
Advocate on your behalf to resolve any conflicts you may have with service providers or employers as you try to return to work.

According to Advocacy Inc., “employment has long been recognized as a key to unlocking doors to personal growth, enhancing self-esteem, and providing a more fulfilling life.” Gosh, that sounds like something I’ve been saying – actually, it IS something I’ve been saying. Deciding whether or not to work is not a mathematical equation. Sure, you have to evaluate your approach to either maintaining or establishing new health benefits, but there is so much more involved. Don’t ever let anything prevent you from working!

The TPASS program has two purposes. The first purpose is to inform and advise Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities about vocational rehabilitation and employment services available to them. The second purpose is to help beneficiaries with disabilities obtain the services they need to secure or return to gainful employment.
Advocacy Inc.'s TPASS advocates will:

Investigate and review any complaint of improper or inadequate services provided to a beneficiary with a disability by a service provider, employer, or other entity involved in a beneficiary's return to work effort.
Provide information and referral to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities about work incentives and employment, including information on the types of services and assistance that may be available to assist them in securing or returning to gainful employment. Technical assistance and information on work incentives will be provided to individuals, other advocates, and groups.
Provide consultation to and legal representation on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities when such services become necessary to protect the rights of such beneficiaries. When ever possible, alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and good faith negotiation, will be utilized.
Advocate to identify and correct deficiencies in entities providing vocational rehabilitation services, employment services and other support services to beneficiaries with disabilities involved in the return to work effort.

If you are a person with a disability currently on Social Security (SSDI/SSI), or a family member of an individual on disability benefits, contact Advocacy Inc. at 1-800-252-9108 between 12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

I tried several times to contact the Stakeholder Relations Liaison at the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. After several weeks has yet to respond.

About the author

Gene Rodgers Photo Gene Rodgers has been a quadriplegic since age 17. Since then he has earned several college degrees, worked in several states, earned a Switzer Fellowship, and now works as a private contractor.

Do you have a question about employment and disability? Send your question to grodgers@austin.rr.com and put “DLRP JOBS” in the subject line.