SI 00870.010 Related Work Incentive Policies
A. OVERVIEW -- PASS AND OTHER WORK INCENTIVES
PASS is part of a comprehensive work incentive "package." This section
discusses the interrelationship of other work-related provisions with
PASS.
B. POLICY -- RELATIONSHIP OF PASS TO OTHER WORK-RELATED PROVISIONS
1. Impairment-Related and Blind Work Expenses
The impairment-related work expense (IRWE) provision allows for the
exclusion of earned income used to pay for work expenses incurred because
of the person's disability. (See SI 00820.540 for more information on
IRWE.)
The blind work expense (BWE) provision allows a blind individual to
exclude earnings used to pay for work related expenses (i.e. not
necessarily incurred because of the individual's blindness). (See
SI00820.535 for more information on BWE.)
Unlike PASS neither IRWE nor BWE may be used to reduce countable unearned
income or resources.
Income used to pay for a particular work-related item may not be excluded
from countable income under a PASS and under the IRWE or BWE provisions
simultaneously. An expense excludable under a PASS for countable income
purposes may also be excludable as an IRWE for an SGA determination since
these are separate determinations.
When both PASS and IRWE or BWE apply, use the exclusion most advantageous
to the individual.
2. Property Essential to Self-Support
The property essential to self-support (PESS) provision provides for the
total or partial exclusion of property needed for self-support under
certain conditions. (See SI 01130.500 ff. for more information on PESS.)
3. Sections 1619(a) and (b)
Earned income set aside under a PASS is deducted from gross earnings when
performing a 1619(a) payment computation or an individualized 1619(b)
threshold calculation. (For more information about section 1619, see SI02302.001 ff.)
4. Substantial Gainful Activity
SGA provisions do not affect or limit the applicability of the PASS
exclusions in any way. The PASS income exclusion is not applied when
determining average monthly earnings for SGA purposes.
NOTE: In an initial claim, a determination that SGA is being performed
precludes the need for a PASS determination since the person would not
meet the disability criteria for eligibility.
[Last Change: 09/00]