Lesson 1: Disability Benefits

In this section you will read about disability benefits including supplemental security incomes and social security disability insurance.

How do I know if someone is receiving Social Security Benefits?

There are multiple ways to find out this information and boy is this information important! Many recommendations that we might give to a person receiving support is dependent on the type of benefits they are receiving and the amount.

1. Check the referral paperwork: The Department of Mental Health or Vocational Rehabilitation usually has that information in the referral paperwork or plan that was sent to your agency.

2. Ask the individual if they are receiving benefits and to bring in a copy of their award letter. You will want to ask for the most recent copy.

3. If the first two options don’t work, you will want to contact a benefits planner to ask for assistance in requesting the information. A Certified Benefits planner or Work Incentive Practitioner can assist with filling out and submitting a form called a BPQY.

 Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services (MO P&A) at 1-800-392-8667

Paraquad's Show Me Employment Project at 1-314-289-4200

So, now that you know what kind of benefits someone is receiving let’s talk about important things to note.

 Watch this brief video from Citizens Disability (2019) about the differences between SSI and SSDI.

Keep in mind that the amounts discussed in this video are not reflective of 2025 rates. See the chart below for accurate amounts.

Exploration Activity: John

Think about these common scenarios. As an employment supports specialist what would you recommend for these people.

John is receiving $400.00 a month of Supplemental Security Income. John just got promoted and will now be working 20 hours a week and making $15.00 an hour. How should you prepare John when it comes to his benefits?

As employment support specialists we want those that we support to succeed. Promotions are often seen as a good and desirable outcome for employment, but for someone who relies on their benefits for their basic needs a promotion may have unintended consequences.

In John’s case for every two dollars earned his benefit amount will be reduced by one dollar. Once John reaches the “breakeven” point he will no longer receive a benefit amount. Most people will earn more money working than they will while receiving SSI benefits so for most the pros outweigh the cons.

Exploration Activity: Jane

Think about how Jane’s experience is different than John’s.

Jane receives Social Security Disability Insurance and SNAP benefits. Jane’s supervisor wants Jane to fill in extra hours during the busy holidays. What does Jane need to consider before answering her supervisor?

There are many people who struggle to maintain employment for consistent periods of time. If this is the case, then losing their SSI benefits might be detrimental to their well-being. It is our job as employment support specialists to make sure we are providing information to help those we support make an informed choice.

For Jane, there are multiple things to consider.

1.        Is Jane in the first 9 months of receiving SSDI? If so, her benefits will not be affected and can probably work extra hours.

2.        It is an all or nothing benefit. Meaning, if Jane is past her first 9 trial months and makes a penny over the SGA amount of $1,620 in a month she will lose her monthly benefit. Is Jane ok with this?

3.        How are her SNAP benefits going to be affected? If she makes $1,632 in a month then she will lose her SNAP benefits.

Simple choices can have major consequences for someone using Disability benefits.

In the state of Missouri, you can use the website Disability Benefits 101 to estimate the benefits of working. This website is a great tool to review with those you support.  

Why is it important to provide correct information and support to someone receiving Disability benefits?

There are 2 very important reasons.

The first we mentioned briefly, someone may lose their benefit amount due to making more money than the SGA amount. Although reinstatement can be expedited in these cases, it can still take months to start receiving a benefit amount again and it can be a complicated process for some. If your livelihood is dependent on your monthly benefit amount you may not have the luxury to wait months for reinstatement.

The second reason is that someone may be overpaid by the Social Security Administration and now owes money back. Oftentimes without a network of support an individual may not be accurately reporting their wages or life events to the Social Security Administration. If this is the case their benefit checks will be placed on hold until they have paid back the overdue amount. Cases have been reported of owing over $20,000 to the Social Security Administration due to not understanding how and when to report.

So, what can you do?

Here are some ways to support:

·        Refer the person you support to a local benefits specialist.

·        Know what kind of benefits they are receiving.

·        Remind the person you support to report their wages to social security.

·        Create a goal that helps the person you support manage their benefits.

·        Be their advocate with their employer and help them search for community resources.

·        Provide and explain resources.

Summary

One of the most important supports you can provide is navigating Disability Benefits. Knowledge of eligibility requirements, application processes, and available resources enables individuals to navigate the system effectively and maximize their support. Many of the individuals being supported in employment services look to those they are most familiar with to problem solve the intricacies of Disability Benefits. Having a knowledge of the differences between SSI and SSDI and how working will impact these benefits is a great asset to providing quality supports.