SOAR and Employment Please stay on the line. AUDIO: Phone: 1-888-324-8014 Passcode: 8765269 PIN: Provided in your confirmation email (Contact [email protected].

SOAR and Employment

Please stay on the line.

AUDIO:Phone: 1-888-324-8014

Passcode: 8765269

PIN: Provided in your confirmation email (Contact [email protected] if you can’t find your PIN)

The webinar will begin shortly.

SOAR and Employment

Presented by:

SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance CenterPolicy Research Associates, Inc.

Under contract to:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Webinar Instructions Question instructions Muting Recording availability Downloading documents Evaluation

Welcome!

Pamela J. Fischer, Ph.D.

Homeless Programs Branch

Center for Mental Health Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Agenda SOAR and Employment: Creating Hope

– Jen Elder, Senior Project Associate, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center, Policy Research Associates, Inc.

SSA’s Work Incentives– Greg Makely, Director, New Jersey WINS, Family Resource Network

From Homeless to Working: Changing Lives– Jennifer Wilcox, Program Manager, Central City Concern, Employment

Access Center Becoming an Employment Network

– Chris Evans, Manager, Pathways to Independence, Columbus House The Benefits of Working and Providing Support

– Bernadette Barbour, Employment Specialist, Columbus House Questions and Answers

SOAR and Employment: Creating Hope

Jen Elder

SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center

Policy Research Associates, Inc.

SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and

Recovery The SOAR Technical Assistance Center helps

states and communities increase access to SSA disability benefits for people who are homeless or at risk for homelessness

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with SSA since 2005

All 50 states currently participate; no direct funding provided to states

SOAR Outcomes Since 2006, more than 10,500 persons

experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness have been approved for SSI/SSDI on initial application

71 percent approval rate on average

In an average of 101 days

Length of time homeless averaged 2 years

SOAR Training

2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery training

www.prainc.com/soar Find your State

Working for More than Income

Self-worth and self-confidence

Define a role for the person in the community

Foster a connection to others

Add structure to daily life

Critical step in recovery

Common Myths

Benefits and health insurance end immediately when start working

You can only work part-time while receiving disability

If Social Security knows you are working, they will say you aren’t disabled anymore

SOAR as an Agent of Hope

Employment is possible during and after an application for SSI/SSDI

Develop expertise in work incentives offered by SSA and give examples of how work will affect benefits

Identify and collaborate with employment support services

Greg MakelyDirector of Employment Services

1-866-946-7465

www.njwins.org

SSI Work Incentives

Income Exclusion Plan to Achieve Self-Support

(PASS) Impairment -Related Work

Expense (IRWE) 1619B (Medicaid)

SSDI Work Incentives

Trial Work Period (TWP) Extended Period of Eligibility(EPE) Subsidy Impairment Related Work

Expense (IRWE)

1. Always use copies of check stubs to report earnings

2. Always keep copies of everything you submit

3. Do your best to submit them in person at the SSA Office for your zip code area.

4. Always get a receipt from the Claims Rep before leaving the SSA Office.

5. If you can’t submit in person, send it certified mail,so you have proof SSA received it.

6. Proof can be used to file a request for reconsideration or a waiver of overpayment.

7. You may report your earnings over the phone, but this is not recommended.

Reporting to SSA

1. Allows SSI recipients to work and keep a portion of their cash benefit.

2. Established an income test formula, through which all earned and unearned income is run in order to decide what the ongoing need is, so that the check can be adjusted accordingly.

3. Allows a beneficiary to gradually move from public support to self sufficiency.

4. Means that check amounts change as often as income changes.

Law Provision 1619A- SSI

Gross Monthly Earnings $400.00

2012 Federal Benefit Rate $698.00

General Income Exclusion - $20.00 Total Countable

- $157.50

Countable Earnings $380.00 Federal Portion $540.50

Earned Income Exclusion - $65.00 NJ Supplement $31.25

Countable Earnings $315.00 Actual Check $571.75

Divide by 2 157.50 Total Gross Income $971.75

18

Income Test Formula- Earnings

• Allows for a beneficiary to remain eligible for Medicaid after SSI check stops, as long as the check was lost due to earned income or 2 special types of unearned income exclusions.

• Allows a beneficiary to remain eligible for resumption of cash benefits for 12 months.

• Has an annual earnings threshold.

Law Provision- 1619B

• Unless medical recovery is an issue, beneficiaries are entitled to a Trial Work Period (TWP)

• TWP provides opportunities to test work skills while maintaining full benefit checks

• Begins first month of entitlement to benefits• The Trial Work Amount is annually indexed

$720

80 hr. 9 mo.60 mo.

window

Allearnings

Trial Work Period-SSDI

1. Begins month following 9th TWP2. 36 consecutive months3. Eligible for check when earning below the current

Substantial Gainful Activity figure4. First time at or above SGA, a 3-month “Grace

Period” will kick in5. After “Grace Period,” ineligible for a check during

months earnings are at or above SGA6. Remain eligible for Medicare, even when ineligible

for a check

Extended Period of Eligibility-SSDI

EASY

back

on!

1. Eligible for EXR up to 60 months after EPE or the loss of check eligibility, which may fall outside the EPE, if beneficiary again falls below SGA

2. The reason for falling back under SGA must be disability related

3. Up to 6 provisional checks are issued during the determination process

4. If not reinstated, may be able to keep provisional checks

5. If reinstated, starting with the first provisional check, a beneficiary receives 24 more months of checks, butnon-consecutively

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)

After 24 Months of EXR

Beneficiaries are entitled to:• A new Trial Work Period• A new Extended Period of Eligibility•A new 60 month period of Extended Medicare coverage • Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits, should

disability dictate the need for such

Tickets to Work are used to access employment support services.

Ticket to Work

Employment Support Services

The simplified definition of Employment Support Service is assistance in the following areas:

• Preparing for work• Getting work• Retaining work

1. Can be used immediately, shelved and used later, not used at all

2. Has no bearing on SSI and SSDI Work Incentives

3. Can be assigned to an Employment Network (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agency.

4. An IWP (Individual Work Plan) must be signed by the beneficiary and EN representative and submitted.

5. While in use, a ticket is a CDR (Continuing Disability Review) protection, meaning CDR’s cannot be conducted

6. If a beneficiary doesn’t make timely progress, Ticket usage is suspended and a CDR is conducted immediately.

Using a Ticket to Work

Employment Networks (ENs) An EN is an entity that contracts with SSA to either provide

or coordinate the delivery of the necessary employment services to Social Security disability beneficiaries.

Most EN’s only offer selected employment support services, and may not offer services to certain beneficiaries, so it is recommended to research EN’s in your area.

A listing of EN’s is available at www.yourtickettowork.org For more information, visit www.chooseworkttw.net

Resources For more information on SSA’s work

incentives, visit: SSA Web site (www.socialsecurity.gov/work)

– Ticket to Work: Employment and VR Services

– (www.choosework.net)

– Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program

– Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS or P&A)

– Service Provider Directory for WIPA and P&A https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

Disability Program Navigators (DPNs)

– Department of Labor, One-Stop Career Centers

– http://www.doleta.gov/disability

From Homeless to Working: Changing Lives

Jennifer Wilcox, Program Director

Central City Concern

Portland, Oregon

Formed in 1979 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization Provides housing, health and employment services to

more than 13,000 unduplicated individuals yearly $41 million annual budget 600+ employees 46% of CCC employees self identify as being in recovery

from substance abuse disorders. (650 employees) 25% of CCC employees are former recipients of our

continuum of care. Mission: Providing comprehensive solutions to ending

homelessness and achieving self-sufficiency.

Central City ConcernBenefits and Entitlement Specialist Team (BEST)

Trained team of dedicated SSI/SSD Benefit Specialists whom submit very complete disability applications to SSA

BEST outcomes are better than the national average (FY 2010-2011- 84% awarded federal benefits/national average 32%)

BEST applicants had an income increase of over 900% per month. At the start of services BEST clients had an average income of $63 per month. At exit, their incomes averaged $683 per month.

HomelessnessAddictions

Mental IllnessChronic Health

ProblemsTrauma

Lack of InsuranceUnemployment

Criminality

Supportive Housing

Transformative Care Integrated Healthcare

Positive Peer Relationships

Legitimate income for self-sufficiency

benefits.

Volunteerism, Training and Employment

Options that fit a variety of employment readiness – volunteerism, training and employment.

Population specific employment programs for veterans and those exiting incarceration

Nationally-recognized employment development model.

Career center with 19 computers, phones, resume paper, etc.

16 employment specialists providing individualized support

876 individuals served through individualized employment programs

532 individuals (60%) employed through 459 employers

Average hourly wage $10.43

CCC Employment Access Center

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model of Supported Employment

Principles: Open to anyone who wants to work Rapid Job Search Integrated with Treatment Focus on Competitive Employment Systematic Job development Client preferences guide decisions Individualized long term supports

Working While Waiting for Benefits

Adds weight to the claim– Proves willingness to work– Can strengthen proof of disability– Can speak to the individual’s level of

functioning in the work place Employment better than SSI Address the fear

Becoming An Employment Network

Christopher Evans, Program Director

Columbus HouseNew Haven, Connecticut

Pathways to Independence:

Combining SOAR & employment incomes with a holistic approach to recovery and housing.

Using holistic, recovery-based incentives to support individuals to engage in employment.

Maximize our client’s access to income Provide accesses to healthcare providers Facilitate and grow opportunities for client

employment Educational support and assistance for

client’s financial stability Identify and secure housing options in the

community

Goals of the Pathways Program

Columbus House: Key Players in Pathways– SOAR Case Manager -- 1– Employment Specialists -- 2– Outreach and Engagement Case Managers -- 4– Recovery Support Specialists & Educators -- 4– Scattered Site Case Managers -- 4– Shelter Case Managers – 3– Transitional Housing Case Managers - 3– GPRA Intake & Services Coordinator - 1

Sustainability

Funded in part by the United Way of Greater New Haven

Through Education, Enrichment and Employment, graduates will discover:– Greater Self-Esteem– Stronger Recovery from addiction– Better control of psychiatric symptoms– Greater Confidence– Greater Life Satisfaction– Enjoy a life worth living– Have a life worth saving

The Employment and Enrichment Center (EEC)

A 60 hour rigorous program for people who wish to better themselves through education and enrichment.

Classes include:Intro to ComputersMathReading & ComprehensionResume and Cover Letter WritingEmployment and Search ToolsInterviewing SkillsKey Train, ONET training & job identificationWellness & Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)Starting Your Own BusinessAnd More!

The Employment and Enrichment Center

Career Resources / Connect To Work New Haven One Stop / CT Labor Office STRIVE Veteran’s Affairs Bureau of Rehabilitation Project WAGE

Sustainability Partners

SOAR: 17 awarded, Total received, FY1 ~$241,200 Employment: 131 employed, 18 F-T, 23 P-T, 90 Temp. Employment earnings: ~$200,450 Gross earnings (both programs): ~$441,650 Taxes paid (20%,both programs): ~$88,330 Circulating in local economy (x3): ~$1,059,960

Outcomes: 10/2011-09/2012

The Benefits of Working and Providing Support

Bernadette Barbour, Employment Specialist

Columbus HouseNew Haven, Connecticut

Providing Support Peer Experience Employment Spectrum Job Developing Employment and Training

– Ronald’s Story EEC Trainings

– Mark’s Story

Questions and Answers

Facilitated By:

SAMHSA SOAR TA Center

For More Information on SOAR

Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar

SAMHSA SOAR TA Center

Policy Research Associates, Inc.518-439-7415

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/soarworks

Twitter: @soarworks