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?P0500870.0000300 SISI R008 BOSSI R00870 BOSSI R00870.000 BOS

SI R00870.000 PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUPPORT FOR BLIND OR DISABLED

See SI 00870.000 P0500870.0250600 SISI R008 BOSSI R00870 BOSSI R00870.025 BOS

SI R00870.025 BOS -- PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUPPORT (PASS)

See SI 00870.025

A. GENERAL

Effective December 1, 1997, PASS procedures were revised, one PASS policy change was implemented, and many policy clarifications were made. The biggest change to the PASS process is that after a PASS is submitted to the SSA FO, the regional cadre will undertake development directly with the PASS applicant. Also, the cadre will conduct progress checks and reviews and deal with PASS participants on other PASS related post-eligibility events. FO assistance with development will be requested by the cadre if the situation warrants local contact with the PASS applicant/participant. Emergency Message (EM) 97191 and EM 98109 detail the December 1997 changes.

B. REGIONAL PASS CADRE

The regional PASS cadre is located in the Boston FO. The address and telephone numbers are: Regional PASS Cadre Social Security Field Office O'Neill Federal Building - Room 148 Boston, Massachusetts 02222-1098 617 565-8906 ext. 3064, 3065 ∧ 3066 617 367-9167 (FAX) PASS applicants/participants and inquirers about the PASS process may call the cadre, toll free, at: 1 800 297-4291 and ask for ext. 3017

C. ROLE OF THE CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IN THE PASS PROCESS

The following highlights the role of the CR in the PASS process: o Be knowledgeable about PASS policy/procedures so that general questions can be answered. o Be able to identify potential PASS applicants. o Provide the cadre with any assistance they request in adjudicating the PASS. o Accept the PASS (SSA-545) including any documentation the individual can provide at the time of application, and ensure that the SSA-545 is fully completed before submitting it to the cadre. o Fax or route a copy (not the original) of the PASS and all related PASS material on the day it is received, or the following work day, using the PASS ROUTING SHEET (Exhibit 1). Note: Keep a copy of the route sheet in file. o Establish or update a Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) for each PASS. o Accept PASS reconsideration requests and determine if appellant wants a case review, face-to-face or telephone conference. If face-to-face, conduct the reconsideration conference and make the reconsideration decision. Otherwise, refer the request to the PASS cadre. o Route copies of ALJ reversals of PASS determinations to the cadre for effectuation. o Take an initial SSI application if the PASS applicant is currently entitled to title II benefits only. o Make systems input, issue notices, etc. as described in POMS if the PASS is associated with an initial claim. o Direct Congressional inquiries pertaining to PASS decisions to the Boston District Manager (DM), not directly to the cadre. It is preferable that these inquiries be in writing. o Direct requests for PASS training from advocates and organizations that serve the disabled community to the Boston DM.

D. ROLE OF THE PASS CADRE

The following highlights the role of the PASS cadre: o Review and evaluate the initial PASS and all amendments, modifications, progress reviews, progress checks, and final accountings. o Contact PASS applicant/participant to obtain additional information/documentation to resolve outstanding issues. o Contact PASS applicants to discuss possible modifications to the PASS if the PASS does not have a feasible goal; i.e., clearly identifiable goal, or is not viable. o Update the MDW with the status of the PASS and send copies of the development requests to the servicing FO for documentation of the folder. o Make initial PASS determinations and reconsideration determinations if the request is for a case file review or a conference conducted by phone. o Provide the servicing FO with systems input instructions and notice language if the PASS is associated with an initial claim. o Make systems input and issue notices if the PASS is not associated with an initial claim. o Conduct PASS progress checks, in addition to progress reviews. o Collect management information about PASS. o Provide training, upon request, to advocates and organizations that serve the disabled community. o Provide training to FO staff as needed.

E. SUMMARY

All SSA staff should treat PASS applicants and participants courteously. PASS decisions, including issuance of notices, should be made within 30 days after receipt of all necessary documentation. If a decision and notice cannot be released within this time frame the FO or cadre, whichever component has responsibility for the pending action, should send an informational letter explaining the PASS status to the claimant. This will avoid unfavorable public relation issues stemming from delays in the PASS process. PASS ROUTING SHEET TO: PASS REVIEW CADRE DATE: Room 148 10 Causeway St. Boston, MA 02222 FAX: (617) 367-9167 (ATTN): _____________________ RE: __________________________________ Claimant Name __________________________________ SSN _______________________________________________________________ Type: Initial Recon ALJ Reversal Recons only: ____ case review ____ face-to-face ___telephone ____ MDW established ATTACHMENTS: ______ Copies of PASS plan(s) Documentation provided to FO ______________________________________________________________ FROM: DO CONTACT: ____________________________ TELEPHONE: ____________________________ FAX #: ____________________________ DO Name ∧ Code ____________________________ OBSERVATIONS/REMARKS/COMMENTS Q0500870.0250300 SISI R008 NYSI R00870 NYSI R00870.025 NY

SI R00870.025 NY -- PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUPPORT - PASS

See SI 00870.025 I. Background The PASS Cadre is responsible for direct contact with any claimant filing for a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS). This includes not only developing the initial PASS, but also conducting progress reviews and progress checks, and dealing with the recipient on other post-eligibility PASS events. While the PASS Cadre is responsible for nearly all contacts, FOs should be aware that the Cadre might seek their assistance in cases where local contact with the claimant would enhance efforts to complete the PASS development. Also, in order to better serve the public, each Cadre has a toll free 800 number, so that PASS claimants/recipients can call the Cadre at no cost. II. General In the New York Region there are two PASS Cadres. The Cadre sites are at the Downtown and Cheektowaga field offices (FO). The addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and E-mail addresses are as follows: A. For Areas I, II, V and VI: Social Security Administration P.O. Box 1826 New York, New York 10008 ATT: PASS CADRE Phone: 212-264-0969 Toll Free #: 800-551-9583 Fax: 212-264-6069 E-mail: |NY FO Downtown Staff: Kermine Durestal, Cristina Geigel and Victoria Richardson B. For Area III: Social Security Administration Appletree Mall - 2875 Union Road Cheektowaga, New York 14227-9926 ATT: PASS CADRE Phone: 716-685-9718 Toll FREE #: 800-510-5680 Fax: 716-681-6243 E-mail: |NY FO Cheektowaga Staff: Erwin Beljan, Carol Masternak, Roberta Pomeroy and Leslie Thompson III. Role of the SR/TSR/SPIKE Be aware of what a PASS is. Any PASS denied or terminated in the past, can be refiled at anytime. Refer anyone who calls with a general question to his or her servicing FO, and with a specific question, to the proper cadre. Remember: In certain circumstances, a Title II applicant OR recipient can file for a PASS. IV. Role of the CR A. Treat all PASS claimants/recipients courteously. Both Cadres are working very hard to do outreach and increase the number of viable PASSes in the Region. B. Provide the Cadre with any assistance they request in adjudicating the PASS. C. Be knowledgeable about PASS policy/procedures so that general questions can be answered. D. CRs should make sure to take an initial application if there is no active record and the individual is filing for a PASS - Remember - the initial claim stays in the FO. Accept the PASS (SSA-545), or Progress Review etc., including any documentation the individual can provide at the time of the interview, and ensure that the SSA-545 is fully completed before submitting it to the cadre. (Call them if you have any questions.) Explain to the claimant that the PASS Cadre will be contacting him/her regarding the PASS. Inform the claimant of what types of information or documentation the Cadre is likely to want, or if the CR can readily recognize what PASS documentation is needed, inform the claimant and provide a postage-paid envelope with the Cadre's address. If the claimant does not want to mail material to the cadre, they can bring it to the FO to be photocopied and faxed to the cadre. Maintain a copy of the PASS and PASS-related material, including copies of any previous PASSes. Also, maintain copies of any Report of Contact (RC) by the CR with any observations and information about the individual that the Cadre may find useful in developing the PASS. Fax and then route the original PASS and all related PASS material on the day it is received or the following work day using the attached PASS CADRE ROUTE SHEET (Exhibit I). E. Establish or update an MDW for each PASS (MSOM 228): 1. Annotate the ISSUE, CATEGORY, AND REMARKS as follows: ISSUE: PASS REVIEW CATEGORY: PASS REMARKS: PASS CADRE 2. Maintain control of the case in the FO and do not change the FO code or unit number to the PASS Cadre. Post sufficient information to the REMARKS screen (MRMK) so that the status can be determined. Following each entry in MRMK, show name, unit, location, and date. Make systems input, issue notices, etc. as described in the POMS, if the PASS is associated with an initial claim or redetermination. F. CRs should make sure to take an initial claim or redetermination if the record is in non-pay status and the individual is filing for a PASS. G. For PASS applicants who do not have active SSI records, the FO should take an initial application and develop the non-medical aspects of the program, before sending the case to the Cadre. The CR should indicate on the PASS Cadre Route Sheet that the case is in H80 and needs to be expedited. If an SSI initial claim is waiting for a PASS determination, and without a PASS the claim would be denied, the claim must remain pending in the FO until a decision on the PASS is reached. The case cannot be denied waiting for PASS development. H. Reconsideration: Contact the Cadre to discuss the PASS if a formal/informal conference is requested AND the individual wants to have a face to face conference. Regulations provide that in such circumstances, "the official who conducts the conference will make the reconsideration determination." Therefore, in these circumstances the PASS Cadre will not make the decision. Only a person in the same or higher position (e.g., MSS, OS, etc.) shall review, reconsider, or reopen an initial or reconsidered PASS determination. Consultation with Cadre members to discuss the case prior to the conference will help familiarize the FO with the issues. Also, confer with Cadre members upon completion of the conference before making a final decision, since they may be aware of newly updated PASS rules and/or regulations. Once a reconsideration decision is made, make appropriate systems input, issue the notice, and send a copy of the reconsideration decision and notice to the Cadre. If the decision notice cannot be released within a reasonable time, the FO or Cadre (whichever has responsibility for the pending action) should contact the claimant and provide status. EXAMPLE: After an individual requests an in-person face-to-face conference on an Cadre member's determination, the local FO/area management (e.g., OS, MSS) may conduct the in-person conference. In this case, the person holding the conference must make and sign the reconsidered or reopened determination. However, office/area management may ask a CR to provide technical advice/support before and during the face-to-face conference and to write the determination that the supervisor or manager makes. I. Hearings: The CR handling the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) effectuation should contact the PASS Cadre by telephone as soon as the decision is received, and fax the ALJ decision to the cadre on the day it is received or the next day. The CR should discuss the decision with the Cadre regarding what information is required to effectuate the decision and coordinate client contacts and evidence requests. This will prevent duplication of efforts. V. Role of the PASS Cadre Members A. Review and evaluate PASSes including initial PASSes, amendments, modifications, progress reviews and final accountings. Make all initial determinations on PASSes. B. Contact PASS claimants/recipients to obtain additional information/documentation to resolve outstanding issues. C. Contact PASS claimants to discuss possible modifications to the PASS if the PASS is not feasible and/or viable. D. Update the MDW with the status of the PASS. Do not change the FO code or unit number to the PASS cadre. E. Provide FOs with systems-input instructions and notice language if the PASS is associated with an initial claim. F. Make systems-input and issue notices if the PASS is not associated with an initial claim. G. Collect management information about PASS. H. Share any precedent cases with the other Cadre in the Region, the Regional Office and Central Office. If there are any unusual issues, discuss the case prior to making a final decision. I. Reconsideration: Make reconsideration determinations if the reconsideration request is for a case file review or a formal/informal conference conducted by phone. Note: If the formal/informal conference is conducted face-to-face in an FO, other than where the Cadre is located, the person conducting the conference will make the reconsideration determination. Only a person in the same or higher position (e.g., MSS, OS, etc.) shall review, reconsider, or reopen an initial or reconsidered PASS determination J. Hearings: Coordinate with the CR handling the case as to what information is required to effectuate the decision and coordinate client contacts and evidence requests. This will prevent duplication of efforts. To ensure that PASS claimants receive timely decisions, the FO or Cadre should make the PASS decision and issue the notice to the claimant within 30 days after receipt of all necessary documentation. If the decision and notice cannot be released within this time frame, the FO or Cadre (whichever component has responsibility for the pending action), should send an informational letter explaining the status to the claimant. NOTE: If the Cadre sends the notice, they should send a copy to the servicing FO. If the FO sends the notice, they should send a copy to the Cadre. VI. Recording Hearing/Appeals Council Requests/Decisions At this time, there is no automated procedure for tracking an Administrative Law Judge's, or an Appeal's Council, request or decision filed on a PASS. Therefore, all FOs should advise their Cadre of any Hearing or Appeal filed on a PASS or any Hearing or Appeal decision made on a PASS by using the PASS CADRE ROUTE SHEET (attached). NOTE: Send only a COPY of the SSA-501 or SSA-520 with the Route Sheet. Exhibit I PASS CADRE ROUTE SHEET TO: SSA - PASS CADRE _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ FROM: SSA DOC __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ FAX___________________________TEL_________________________ SUBJECT: PASS (Check One) _____ EXPEDITE - CASE IS IN H80. _____ Initial PASS _____ Progress Review _____ Amendment/Modification to a PASS _____ Resumption of a Suspended PASS _____ Reconsideration/Hearing /Appeal _____ Other - Explain: __________________________________ Please include the MDW. Comments: ______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ CR's Name _____________________________________________________ WIL's Name _____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________________________ Q0500870.1000300 SISI R008 NYSI R00870 NYSI R00870.100 NY

SI R00870.100 NY -- REVIEWING A PASS - ESTABLISHING A PASS FILE

See SI 00870.100 The national POMS instructs field offices (FO) to maintain a separate file of Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), both approved and disapproved, as a reference. The Regional Office (RO) also has a reference file of PASSes which have been filed in the Region. Therefore, when preparing the copy of the PASS for the FO file, please make a copy for the RO files. Mail the copy to: Social Security Administration RSI/SSI Programs Branch 26 Federal Plaza Room 4032 New York, New York 10278 ATT: PASS File The following exhibits are to help FOs when they are preparing PASSes. SIR 00870.100 Exhibit I - PASS COMPLIANCE LISTING Exhibit I is a list of data required when completing a PASS. It can be used as a guide for claims representatives when they are preparing PASSes. SIR 00870.100 Exhibit II - PASS ACCOUNTING SHEET Exhibit II is an accounting sheet that may be used by FOs to assist them when doing PASS calculations. EX. I - PASS COMPLIANCE LISTING The following is a list of data required when completing a PASS. This listing should be completed before mailing out the PASS notice, one copy should be retained in the recipient's file and one copy should be retained in the FO. Also, a copy of every PASS should be mailed to: Social Security Administration RSI/SSI Programs Branch, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 4032, New York, New York 10278 ATT: PASS File 1.) Name _______________________________ 2.) SSN _______________________________ 3.) Disability _______________________________ 4.) Occupational Objective _______________________________ 5.) Start Month: EN D1 MM YY ____________________ (SM 01005.170) 6.) Completion Month _______________________________ 7.) Total Monthly Income _______________________________ 8.) Excluded Monthly Income _______________________________ 9.) Amount of Income for Living________________________________ 10.) Total Resources _______________________________ 11.) Excluded Resources ______________________________ 12.) Student? School Verification? ______________________________ 13.) Compliance Diary: DA Code MM YY__________________ (SM 01005.230) 14.) First Review Date ______________________________ (SI 00870.080) 15.) Date Notice Sent ______________________________ Approved by: ___________________________ Date: _____________ (Claims Representative) EX. II - PASS ACCOUNTING SHEET Name:_________________________ Period________ thru___________ 1.) PASS Savings Balance:
$______________A (Show Resources available at the start of the Plan or the Balance remaining from a previous PASS Accounting Sheet.) 2.) PASS Income:
(Show income designated for PASS expenses) Date:_______________ Amount:$_________________ Date:_______________ Amount:$_________________ Date:_______________ Amount:$_________________ Date:_______________ Amount:$_________________ TOTAL: $_________________B

3.) PASS Expenses Paid:

(Show "out of pocket" (not reimbursed) PASS expenses paid.) PASS Expense Date Amount Description of item/service Paid Paid ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ ______________________________ __________ $_________ TOTAL Paid $________C 4.) PASS Accounting Balance:
Resources from A above $________A + Total Income from B above $________B Total PASS funds available $________ - Total Expenses from C above $________C Net Resources available to date for PASS $________A 0501100.0001200 SISI 011SI 01100SI 01100.000

SI 01100.000 Resources

CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS Subchapter Resources, General........................................ SI 01110.000 Identifying Resources..................................... SI 01120.000 Resources Exclusions...................................... SI 01130.000 Types of Countable Resources ............................. SI 01140.000 Other Resources Provisions................................ SI 01150.000 [Last Change: 11/00]