Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
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How can a PASS help you?

A PASS allows you to set aside other income besides your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and resources for a specified period. This allows you to pursue a work goal that will reduce or eliminate the SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you currently receive. For example, if you receive SSDI, wages, or other income, you could set aside some of that money to pay expenses for education, vocational training, assistive technology used for employment–related purposes or starting a business. Expenses must be related to achieving your work goal.

We do not count the income that you set aside under your PASS when we figure your SSI payment amount. We do not count the resources that you set aside under your PASS when we determine your initial and continuing eligibility for SSI.

A PASS can help you establish or maintain SSI eligibility and may increase your SSI payment amount. For example, if you receive $1,000 per month in SSDI, you have too much income to be eligible for SSI. However, if you otherwise qualify for SSI and have a work goal, you could use some of your SSDI to pay for PASS expenses to help you reach your work goal. Because we would not count the portion of your SSDI you are using toward your PASS, this could reduce your countable income enough so you could be eligible for SSI.

In addition, other agencies may not count income that has been excluded under a PASS when determinng eligibility for housing assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).

Who can have a PASS?

If you receive SSI or could qualify for SSI after setting aside income or resources to pursue a work goal, you could benefit from a PASS.

What are the requirements for a PASS?

Your PASS must include all the following:

  • Be designed especially for you.
  • Be in writing. We prefer that you use our form, the SSA-545-BK. You can get copies of the PASS form, SSA-545-BK, from our website at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-545.html, calling our toll free number 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or from any PASS Expert. If you need in-person help, you must make an appointment to visit a local office.
  • Have a specific work goal that you can perform.
  • Have a specific timeframe for reaching your goal.
  • Show what income you receive (other than your SSI payments) and resources you have that you will use to reach your goal.
  • Show how you will use your income and resources to reach your work goal.
  • Show how the money you set aside will be kept separate from other funds.
  • Be approved by us.
  • Be reviewed periodically by us to assure your plan is helping you make progress towards your work goal.

Who Can Help You Set Up a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)? (SSDI and SSI eligible)

Anyone may help you with your PASS. For example, vocational counselors, social workers, benefit specialists or employers can help you. We will evaluate the plan and decide if it is acceptable. We can also help you put your plans in writing.

We have specially trained employees (PASS Specialists) that work with the PASS program. When you submit a written PASS proposal to a PASS Specialist, they will review it to:

  • Make sure the work goal is reasonable.
  • Make sure that you need the items and services listed on the PASS application to reach the work goal.
  • Make sure the expenses are reasonably priced.
  • Work with you to make any needed changes.

Where can you get more information about a PASS?

You can get a PASS Specialist’s telephone number by visiting our website at: www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/passcadre.htm or calling our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You can ask for a pamphlet entitled Working While Disabled — How We Can Help (SSA Publication No. 05-10095). It is also available online at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf. You can also get a copy from your local office or by calling our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Examples of a PASS (SSDI and SSI eligible)

A Sample PASS (SSI ONLY)

Example 1 – Wages Being Excluded under an approved PASS

  • Billy wants to go to school to become a social worker.
  • Billy works part time and earns $665 per month.
  • We figure out Billy's countable income using the earned income formula (refer to the Earned Income Exclusion section).
    $665 - $20 = $645 - $65 = $580.
    $580 / 2= $290 in countable income.
  • Billy's earned income reduces his SSI benefit of $967 by $290 per month to $677.
  • He agrees to spend the $290 in countable income on his education and we approve a PASS.
  • We set aside this income, and his SSI increases by $290 per month for the PASS timeframe. Billy receives $967 in SSI benefits and has $290 to use for approved PASS expenses.

A Sample PASS (SSDI ONLY)

Example 2 – SSDI Being Excluded under an approved PASS

  • Maria wants to go to school and become a paralegal.
  • She receives $1,000 in SSDI benefits:
    • The goal for Maria's employment is to generate enough income to eliminate SSDI. (Have expected earnings over the SGA limit).
    • Maria determines she needs $980 per month for tuition, books, and school supplies. We can exclude up to $980 per month in SSDI income. This represents the full amount of Maria's SSDI payment after deduction of the SSI general exclusion.  This will make Maria eligible for the full SSI payment.
  • Maria must use the SSI payment for living expenses and use the PASS funds for approved plan expenses.