Red Book
Overview of Our Disability Programs
Special Rules for People Who Are Blind
Additional Help with Health Care for People with Disabilities
Example of Concurrent Benefits with Work Incentives
What Assistance Is Available for Work Incentives and Employment Supports
Resources to Assist Youth with the Transition to a Successful Adulthood
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How Do Work Incentives Help?
Special rules make it possible for people receiving SSDI or SSI to work and still receive medical benefits and, in some cases, monthly payments. We discuss each work incentive on the following pages. You can find a more detailed description of the work incentives by clicking on each title.
The SSDI work incentives provide help over a period of time to allow you to test your ability to work, or to continue working. These incentives help you, gradually become self-sufficient. In general, you have at least 9 years to test your ability to work. This includes full cash payments during the first 12 months of work activity, a 36-month re-entitlement period during the extended period of eligibility, and a 5-year period in which we can start your cash benefits again without a new application (see EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT). You may continue to have Medicare coverage during this time or even longer.
The SSI work incentives offer ways for you to continue receiving your SSI and Medicaid coverage while you work. Some of these incentives can increase your net income to help cover special expenses.
Once you receive SSI, your payments will continue until you recover medically, if you continue to meet the income and resource limits. If you cannot receive SSI payments because your earnings are too high, your eligibility for Medicaid may continue while you are working. In most cases, if you lose your job or are unable to continue working, you can begin receiving payments again without a new application.
| Work Incentives (Alphabetically Listed) |
How Work Incentives Can Help You |
|---|---|
| Blind Work Expenses (BWE) | Do you work and receive SSI based on blindness? |
| Continued Payment Under a Vocational Rehabilitation or Similar Program (Section 301) | Has your medical condition improved and are you participating in a vocational rehabilitation or similar program, or are you a student with an individualized education plan (IEP)? |
| Earned Income Exclusion | How do we figure your monthly SSI payment amount if you work? |
| Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) | If your benefits stopped because you successfully returned to work, can you get benefits again if you stop working? |
| Extended Medicare Coverage | What happens to your Medicare after you return to work? |
| Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) | How long can you receive SSDI benefits after you return to work? |
| Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) | Do you pay for items or services related to your disability that you need to work? |
| Medicaid While Working – Section 1619(b) | What happens to your Medicaid after you return to work? |
| Medicare Buy-In for People with Disabilities Who Work | What happens if you are no longer eligible for free Medicare Part A because of your work? |
| Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) | Do you want to set aside money to pursue an employment goal? |
| Reinstating SSI Eligibility Without a New Application | How can you restart your SSI if you stop working? |
| Special SSI Payments for People Who Work - Section 1619(a) | What happens to your SSI when your earned income is substantial, but you still have a disability? |
| Special SSI Payments for People Eligible Under Section 1619 Who Enter a Medical Treatment Facility | What happens to your SSI if you are working, but you enter a medical facility? |
| Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) | How do we figure your monthly SSI payment amount if you are a student under the age 22 and work? |
| Subsidy and Special Conditions | Do you work and receive SSDI but have extra help on the job or have fewer or simpler tasks than other workers? |
| Trial Work Period (TWP) | How can you test your ability to work without losing your SSDI benefits? |
| Unincurred Business Expenses | Are you self-employed and currently receiving SSDI, or are you applying for SSDI and/or SSI? |
| Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) | What happens to your SSDI benefits if you try to return to work but stop working or reduce your hours because of your disability? |