SI 00870.003 Applicability of PASS
A. POLICY - PASS DISCUSSION
SSA will initiate a discussion about PASS with anyone who is a likely
candidate. If an individual, who is an unlikely candidate for a PASS
indicates an interest, SSA staff will discuss PASS with them as well.
NOTE:Although in most cases, the PASS expert will have the discussion
with the individual, other field office (FO) staff should familiarize
themselves with the material in SI 00870.003B - SI 00870.003C - SI00870.004, and SI
00870.005.
B. LIST OF PERSONS WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM A PASS
1. Likely PASS Candidates
The most likely candidates for a PASS are individuals who are blind or
disabled and:
are already receiving rehabilitation services (training counseling,
therapy) from a(n):
State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency;
State agency for the blind;
other public agency (e.g. Department of Veterans Affairs); or
private agency (e.g. United Cerebral Palsy);
are in school or training programs;
are currently working or seeking work including self-employment
(consider all section 1619(a) and (b) participants);
express an interest in rehabilitation;
express an interest in becoming self-supporting;
would otherwise have initial eligibility denied or continued
eligibility suspended or terminated solely due to excess income
(including title II benefits) or resources including a person whose
resources are below the SSI limits but exceed those for a
state-administered supplement program and the State will recognize the
PASS exclusion; or
otherwise would have benefits reduced due to income.
2. Unlikely PASS Candidates
Individuals who, although being blind or having a disability, usually may
not qualify for or benefit from a PASS include those who:
already secured the needed items and services under a PASS and have
not tried to seek employment in the work goal for which they obtained
the required items or services that they identified as being
sufficient to make them employable (although such individuals might
benefit from resuming the PASS per SI 00870.080) in order to secure
the work goal);
are ineligible for SSI benefits for any reason other than excess
income or resources;
are under age 15;
do not have any income or resources to set aside and do not expect to
have any;
are unwilling to use set aside funds strictly for the PASS; or
do not require any additional items or services to become employed.
C. PROCEDURE
1. Approach
Be sensitive to the person's situation when discussing the
inappropriateness of a PASS for an individual who is not considered a
likely candidate for a PASS.
2. General Work Incentive Points
Explain these general points concerning work incentives:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to help people
become self-supporting; and
Under certain conditions blind and disabled individuals can work and
still receive SSI and/or Medicaid (See SI 00870.010 for a discussion
of the relationship of PASS to other work incentives.)
3. Points About PASS
Explain these general points regarding PASS:
under a PASS the individual can set aside income or resources
(including deemed income and resources) which would otherwise affect
eligibility <f 100><phrase>and/or</phrase></f> payment amount provided that these set
aside funds are used by the person to obtain items or services needed to reach an
occupational objective (i.e., a work goal);
SSA is willing to help people develop a plan or refer them to an
organization that can be of help in setting up a plan;
the individual must decide what occupational objective to pursue;
when setting aside income/resources sufficient funds should be
retained for living expenses (including any anticipated SSI monies);
and the individual must follow his/her plan to reach the work goal and use
the set aside funds only to reach the goal.
4. Related Points
If the individual receives other benefits (not from SSA) advise the
individual that:
income and resources set aside under a PASS may be counted under
assistance programs administered by other agencies. Advise the person
to check with the other agency to determine the effect if any a PASS
may have on the other benefit. In most cases Medicaid, food stamps and
housing assistance provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development will exclude income and resources set aside under a
PASS;
returning to work may affect other benefits. The person should check
with the administering agency to determine what effect, if any,
working may have on the other benefit; and
SSI eligibility and a PASS will end if the person medically improves
(see SI 02301.200).
[Last Change: 09/00]