SI 00870.001 Plans For Achieving Self-Support -- Overview
A. INTRODUCTION TO PASS
The Social Security Act authorizes the exclusion of income and resources
of an individual who has a disability or is blind when the individual
needs such income and resources to fulfill an approved Plan for Achieving
Self-Support (PASS). The income and/or resources the individual uses to
pursue the PASS will not be counted in determining his/her eligibility or
payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Any earned income
set aside under a PASS does not affect the amount of earnings considered
for the purposes of a substantial gainful activity determination, if
needed.
The PASS provision is part of the original SSI statute. The legislative
history shows that the Congress expressed a "desire to provide every
opportunity and encouragement to the blind and disabled to return to
gainful employment." Congress intended that the PASS provision "be
liberally construed if necessary to accomplish these objectives."
Several factors make PASS an effective tool for someone wanting to work
under the SSI program:
o PASS reflects individual choice. Individuals choose their own work
goal.
o PASS is self-financed. Individuals use their own funds (often, their
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits) to pursue the
plan. The receipt of, or an increase in SSI benefits up to the amount
of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), and any applicable state
supplement, replaces some or all of the funds that the individual uses
for the PASS.
o PASS is largely self-directed. Individuals decide what goods and
services are needed to reach the work goal.
B. OVERVIEW OF PASS PROCESS
1. Field Office Responsibilities
Field office (FO) staff will check the PASS request, ideally contained on
the PASS application form, SSA-545-BK for completeness, or refer the
individual for assistance in developing a PASS. FO staff forward PASS
requests to the appropriate PASS expert promptly. (See SI 00870.020).
2. PASS Expert Responsibilities
Upon receipt of a PASS request, the PASS expert will review the request
with respect to approving the request, if possible, and contact the
individual directly as circumstances warrant. The PASS expert may be the
PASS specialist located at a PASS cadre or an Employment Support
Representative servicing a particular pilot area. (See SI 00870.025)
[Last Change: 09/00]