June 2006 Article

What is a PASS?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income. PASS is an SSI provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work.

How does a PASS help someone return to work?

SSI eligibility and payment amount are based on income and resources (things of value that individual owns).
PASS lets disabled individual set aside money and/or things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal.

How does PASS work?

Applicant finds out what training, items or services needed to reach work goal.
Can include supplies to start business, school expenses, equipment and tools, transportation and uniform requests.
Applicant finds out how much these items and services will cost.
PASS can help person save to pay these costs. PASS lets person set aside money for installment payments as well as a down payment for things like a vehicle, wheelchair or computer if needed to reach work goal.

How do you set up a PASS?

Decide on work goal and determining items and services necessary to achieve.
Can get help in setting up plan from a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor; an organization that helps people with disabilities; Benefits Specialists or Protection and Advocacy organizations who have contracts with SSA (Social Security Administration); Employment Networks involved in the Ticket to Work program; the local Social Security office or anyone lse willing to help him or her.
Contact local SSA office; SSA work site or some third parties shown above to get a PASS form (SSA-545-BK) to complete.
Bring or mail it to the Social Security office.
SSA usually approves plans prepared by VR.
If the goal is self-employment, there must also be a business plan.

What happens to the PASS?

SSA sends PASS to SSA employees who are trained to work with PASS.
PASS expert works directly with the applicant. PASS expert looks over the plan tosee if work goal is reasonable
SSA reviews plan to make sure that items and services listed on PASS needed to achieve the work goal and reasonably priced.
If changes needed, the PASS expert discusses with the applicant.
If PASS not approved, can appeal the decision.

For more information about PASS, visit the Social Security Administration website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm.