Transcript SSA Programs

Janet Steveley
Griffin-Hammis Associates
[email protected]
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Variety of sources of funding and support
available to individuals with disabilities
Eligibility criteria for each
Funds and supports available must be
matched with business needs
If gaps remain, team must identify ways to
address
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Funding requirements will be based on costs
of starting and/or running the business
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Start-up costs could include:
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Monthly expenses (time-limited)
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Rent/renovation costs
Equipment/supplies
Inventory
Deposits for utilities
Signage
Advertising
Licenses & permits
And more!!
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Personal/Family Investment
◦ Individual Development Accounts
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Loans◦ family, friends, financial institutions, SBA
◦ KS Assistive Technology Cooperative (KATCO)
◦ Compensating Balance Loans (K-Fund)
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Government funding sources:
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Workforce Investment Act
Social Security Administration (PASS)
Economic Development Initiatives
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Purpose is to help low to moderate income
individual acquire assets
Primary assets: education, home ownership,
self-employment
Matched savings account--you put in
earned income and IDA program matches
$1, $2, $3 + for every dollar you save (up
to a limit), funds can be used for start-up
 www.cfed.org
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Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative
(KATCO) – IDA’s for Assistive Technology
Devices and equipment (1:1 match, certain
counties only)
www.cfed.org
Click -Find an IDA program near you
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 El Centro
 Interfaith Housing Services
 The Family Conservancy
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Family/Friends
KATCO – Loans for Assistive Technology and
Employment Equipment such as office,
communication, or “tools for the trade”
http://katco.net/23/lending-resources
Compensating Balance Loans (K-Fund)
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/dsd/ddp/selndocu
ments/K-FundPressRelease.pdf
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Kansas Department of Children and Families
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Requires comprehensive business plans
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Provide financial support to businesses
Need to establish that self-employment is a
feasible goal:
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Discovery!
Supports available
Business feasibility
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Tools/Equipment
Disability related items or services
Initial Stocks & Supplies
Rent, utilities, lease payments (time-limited)
Initial advertising/promotion
Some items can NOT be covered (buildings,
operating capital, etc.)
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http://content.dcf.ks.gov/rehab/policy%20man
ual/rehabilitation_services_policy_manualsmfile.pdf
Self-Employment Policy, Pages 153-155
Supported Employment Policy, pages 165-167
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Services provided through One-Stop Centers
3 Levels
◦ Core Services
 job search & placement
◦ Intensive Services
 Assessment, personalized plans, counseling
◦ Training Services
 Training classes, adult literacy & education
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Individual training funds may be available
The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
grant to Kansas focuses on Customized and
Self-employment (Southeast KS)
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Supplemental Security Income Work Incentive
through Social Security Adminstrtaion
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Allows beneficiary to set aside income or
resources that is reducing their SSI, or
making them ineligible for SSI.
SSI work incentive, but often people with
SSDI, or concurrent beneficiaries are the best
candidates!
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SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance
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Entitlement Program (Insurance)
Based on FICA contributions - Beneficiaries
with disabilities entitled to draw from:
◦ Own record (contributions made while working)
◦ Record of a parent who died, retired, or became
disabled
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“All or Nothing” – no gradual reduction
Medicare = medical coverage
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Needs Based – must have limited income and
resources to qualify ($2,000 resource limit)
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Earnings gradually reduce benefit
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Medicaid – medical + long-term care
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2013 Federal Benefit Rate: $710/month
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Work goal (if self-employment requires a
business plan);
Education, work experience, disability
information (feasibility of goal/plan)
Items/Services needed to reach that goal and
costs;
Steps/milestones to reach the goal;
Other funding available
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Goal: To work with
plants.
PASS = $ 21,000+
Expenses: Green
house, inventory
(plants, potting
soils, etc.),
marketing
assistance.
Goal: To run a
vending machine
business
PASS: $10,988
Expenses: Equipment
(machines), training
and support, ongoing business
expenses
Goal: To create and
sell handcrafted
jewelry.
PASS: $18, 637
Expenses: Business
feasibility, vehicle,
insurance, phone, lap
top computer,
supplies, etc.
Any monies other than SSI
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Unearned income (SSDI, other)
Earned income (wages or NESE)
Resources
Deemed income
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Step 1:
List total unearned income
Step 2:
Subtract 20
Step 3:
Remainder = Countable Unearned
Step 4:
Subtract countable from FBR
Remainder = SSI Cash Benefit
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Benefit Amounts
SSDI (unearned)
SSI Benefit Rate
420
710
Unearned Calculation
Total Unearned
(-) Gen Exclusion
Countable Unearned
420
20
400
SSI Cash Benefit Calc.
SSI Benefit Rate
710
(-) Count. Unearned
400
SSI Check Amt.
310
Personal Income
SSI
SSDI
Total Income
310
420
730
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General Exclusion: $20
◦ Applies to recipients with no other source of
monthly income
Earned Income Exclusion: $65
◦ Applies to all working recipients
Only earned income, $85
 Earned and Unearned income, $65
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Step 1: Calculate monthly Earned Income
(wages or NESE (annual/12))
Step 2:
Subtract exclusions
Step 3:
Divide by 2 =
Step 4:
FBR
Subtract countable income from
(“countable” income)
Remainder = SSI check amount (cash benefit)
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$ 685.00 Gross Wages
20.00 General Income Exclusion
= 665.00
65.00 Earned Income Exclusion
= 600.00
/2=
$ 300.00 Countable Earned Income (amount
SSI payment will be reduced by)
$ 710.00
- 300.00
$ 410.00
SSI Federal Benefit Rate (2013)
Countable earned income
Adjusted SSI check
$ ___ Gross Wages
- 85 Exclusions
/2
= ___
- ___ PASS contribution
+ ___ Countable income
Countable income can
be contributed to a
PASS, keeping SSI at
full amount.
Example:
$ 685 Gross Wages
- 85
Exclusions
$ 600
$ 300 (half)
- 300 PASS
0 Countable income
Use it or lose it!
Example:
 Sue receives SSI ($710/month)
 Aunt Jane dies and leaves her $10,000.
 She is now ineligible for both SSI and
Medicaid until the money is spent down to
under $2,000.
 Instead, Sue submits a PASS application and
funds it with her $10,000 resource.
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Parent to Child Deeming
Spouse to Spouse Deeming
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Answer 3 questions:
1. Is the individual eligible for SSI?
2. Does s/he have another source of income (besides
SSI check)?
3. Does he have a work goal?
4. Would achieving the work goal make that person
more self-supporting? (Reduce SSI or eliminate
SSDI benefits)
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There are a variety of sources of funding for
business start-up
Start with identify start-up and on-going
expenses (draft P&L and cash flow)
Identify which funding sources might cover
needed items and services
Submit requests (with business plan)
Use your KSBDC and GHA consultants to work
through individual needs.
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