OUT LINE OF WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS OFFERED

Many Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries and their families are concerned with losing their benefits if they earn additional income.  However, there are some significant SSA Work Incentive provisions that are designed to help beneficiaries to keep their benefits while exploring how work will not only increase monthly income but also increase one’s quality of living.  Additional discussion will include how to get started with employment goals, benefits planning, and the additional SSA Work Incentives for those youth in transition between 14-22 years of age that are both in school and pursuing employment.

I) General Overview: Understanding SSA Benefits and Work Incentives – 3 hrs

• Self Sufficiency through Employment - Why work when you have benefits?
• SSDI vs. SSI / Medicare vs. Medicaid
• What is a Work Incentive?
• SSDI Work Incentives & SGA Determination Tools
• SSI Work Incentives
• How to get started: WIPA/CWIC, the BSA

2) Job Retention through Good Benefit Planning Practices – 3 hrs

• What is a Benefits Analysis vs. a Benefits Summary & Analysis?
• The Whys, Components and Updating
• What is a Work Incentive Plan?
• The New WIPA Paradigm - Who does what?
• Follow Up Services and Tracking Critical Touch-Points
• Best Follow Up Practices - Avoiding Crisis Management
• Helpful Hints for Pro-Active Follow Up

3) The Work Incentive Plan: Mapping Out Good Benefit Plan Practices -1  hr

• What is the WIP?
• Components of the WIP
• Where, When, How, Whom & Why?

4) More Follow Up Services: Tracking Critical Touch Points – 1 hr

• What Are Critical Touch Points?
• How They Impact SSD, SSI & Concurrent Beneficiaries
• Pro-Active Follow up Services & Helpful Tips

5) Transition Aged Youth on SSA and their Families - 2 hrs

• Work as an expectation for all youth in transition - exploring career options
• SSA Work Incentives that best serve youth
• Topics to Consider: IEP, Independence, Special Needs Trust, Alternative Employment Options
• Discussion and Resources

6) Keeping It All Organized - Tips for Staying On the Good Side of Social Security

• Benefits Counseling for Managing SSA Benefits
• The BPQY, reporting income, and who's who at the Social Security Administration Field Office
• Keeping those important documents organized and WHY?
• Helpful tips for proactive followup services
• Preventing crisis management for the SSA beneficiary

7) Other Related Topics

• The PASS (Plans for Achieving Self-Support) and the PASS Cadre
• Self Employment and SSA Benefits Management
• More on Public Benefits and our State of Alaska - Special Medicaid Benefits, Working Disabled Medicaid, Part D Medicare Plans, etc.
• Navigating through SSA's Policy and Information Site: the POMS (Program Operational Management System)