DB101 California - Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS): Frequent Pitfalls

En español

Welcome, Sign Out

Home
Your Situation
Programs
Calculators
Glossary
News

Cash Benefits
Health Care Coverage
Work Programs

Work Programs

Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS): Pitfalls

Table of Contents:

The Basics
The Details
Example
FAQs
Pitfalls
Resources

Working without considering a PASS

Many individuals eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) considering work are not aware that a PASS is an option that may make transition back into the work place easier. Using a PASS may allow an individual to have access to more income and resources in transitioning into the work place.

Failing to account carefully for PASS funds

To use PASS funds you must provide receipts to verify your expenses. Funds intended for a PASS must be deposited into a separate account. PASS money cannot be entered into an account that is used for personal expenses. Failure to use the funds as approved, or keep them separate from personal living expenses, could result in:

a Supplemental Security Income overpayment;
suspension of the PASS; and
jeopardizing future PASS participation.

Find an Expert

Find a professional who can answer your questions or help with your benefits.

Find an expert

Print this article

Email to a friend

Give Feedback

Tools on This Page

Glossary

Assets for Independence Act (AFIA)

Legislation that established Individual Development Account (IDA) programs for applicants who are not on CalWORKs. The three goals of AFIA include: providing individuals and families with incentives to save earned income, increasing self-sufficiency, and improving the community.

Blindness

Blindness in Social Security disability programs is "statutory blindness," which means:

You have a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye, even while you are wearing a correcting contact lens or glasses in that eye; or
You have a limitation in the field of vision of your better eye, so that:
- You have a contraction of peripheral visual fields to 10 degrees from the point of fixation, or
- The widest diameter of your visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees, or
- You have a contraction of peripheral visual fields to 20 percent or less visual field efficiency.

If you have a visual impairment that is not "blindness" as defined above, but your reduced vision (alone or in combination with other disabilities) prevents you from working, you may still be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC)

Benefits Planners who are trained by the Social Security Administration to assist beneficiaries with programs including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in addition to other related programs. The federal government pays Benefits Planners in communities around the country to help people think ahead about work incentives and benefits issues.

Countable Earned Income

Salaries, wages, tips, and any other money that you receive as pay for work that you do is considered "earned income."

Your countable earned income is the portion of that earned income that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program considers when deciding how much your SSI benefit should be. The SSI program uses a special calculation to determine your countable earned income, your total countable income, and ultimately, your SSI benefit.

Countable Unearned Income

Funds received from sources for which no paid work activity is performed are considered "unearned income" (for example, disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, short- and long-term disability insurance; VA benefits; Workers' Compensation; income from a trust or investment; spousal support).

Your "countable unearned income" is the portion of that unearned income that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program considers when deciding how much your SSI benefit should be. The SSI program uses a special calculation to determine your countable earned and unearned income, your total countable income, and ultimately, your SSI benefit.

All Items

Home
About Us
Contact Us
DB101 National
Site Map