Hi all,
I just got back from a converence in Harrisburg area of PA; one of the break out workshops contained the new changes and some little known information of the system.

While the mention of some programs to PA, there were some things that delt with SSI SSDI as a whol.

I will post when I get a bit more time and sleep.
But, in 2007, the amount to earn before significant income is considered will increase from the $860 too $900.

PA, will also have an update on diagx, and a streamline to the process. A secondary issue in PA is that there is not a review in the same local office that receives the application (much before was a rubber stamp to the original caseworker in agreement instead of a true review). This emans that an outside party will review the application if denied, so not a historical second denail or rubber stamp of the local case manager.

IF you do after a three year review receive a notice of medical improvement and lparticipate in a voc rehab or other program taht will lead to a job, then you keep the benefits going.

There are several other items but without my notes in front of me I do not recall or want to post incorrect information.

There were many programs, with lots of acronym's I will post too.
Oh, in PA, if you lose benfits medical from work after trial work (9 months), you can "purchase" the medicaid" medical for aprox $50 a month based on income. It is a need.

IF you are working and for the medical medicaide, you can have asstes of $10,000 unlike the SSi that allows only $2000 to receive the medicaide.

I will be in tomorrow to update or add...
But it was so great to have folks really care about your reviews, the ticket to work, or earnings to be under the SGA help inform the consumer.
Dianne
dimarie11 (@yahoo) .com

THIS IS THE UPDATE TODAY!
I am not sure if this is what you are asking but I went to a work shop at a conference last weekend, this is what is told me there...

Trial work period threshold: "Disability" NOT RETIREMENT> NO AMOUNT EARNED AFFECTS RETIREMENT!
*Nine Full months
*wage threshold over $620 gross
*Self employed is Net earnings over $620 or 80 hours.
*months need not be consecutive
*Months must be in a 60-month period
*Full payment during trial work period.

You do have an offset for medical related expenses...the medications you need for your disability, if yoou need a special mouse, or voice software, also transportation needs to and from work are deducted out of your gross earnings.

SGA FOR 2006 was increased to $860 from 2005 $830 BUT in 2007 it will increase to $900!!!

Even if you work the trial work period, you have over the $620,(NOT Considered a Trial Month under $620!) under the $860, but are found NOT to have medical improvement, you can continue theoretically to receive full benefits.

IF- Trial work months after the 9 months are reached, if full time employed and benefits stopped; if unable to work, you are in a speedy acccess to restart benefits any time in the 3 years to follow!

But for CDR, keep all documentation's; Attend all medical ongoing appointments, records of any increase in medications, new problems on MRI's EMG's, diagax from doctor to relate that yes you still have not made medical improvement.

CDR-Even if you are found medical improved during the three year review, if you are in or become part of a vocational rehab traiing or other approved training that could lead to full time employment your checks will continue.

PEnnsylvannia!:
MAWD:
If you are found medically improved and lose the medical portion of the medicare, you can apply through the medicaid for coverage and pay for it based on income need...The avg. is about $50 a month, more if higher earnings, less if lower earnings.

MAWD- Covers anything MA covers, deductables, if you can find a dentist or eye glass provider too.
* Be at least 16 years old but less then 65
*Be employed and receiving compensation
*Have a disability that meets SSA Standards
*Have countable income below 250% of Federal poverty Level
*Have up to $10,000 in countable resourses (Residence or automobile do not count)
* Disabilities include physical or developemental, mental health or mental retardation.

** contact your case worker or local county assistance office (CAO) for more information
or apply online at www.cmpass.state.pa.us

Section 301:Continued payment
Allows benefits to continue even after Medical cessation for those in approved VR plan.
* When medical review (CDR was initiated AND
*Approved vocational rehabilitation program AND
*Medical cessation
RED BOOK Page 34

Ticket to work updates:
You can read http://policy.ssa.gov/erm/rules.net

I am using my ticket to work, I have had no months of SGA since The begining of the year. I did not give the Ticket to work to voc rehab until August in which to provide me with a lap top and dictation software, and infra red mouse, etc.

I was not sent a CDR this year. I am earning about $450 *net a month working 10 hours a week. I have medical incidentives.

IF you are self employed and need someone to perhaps go onsite for measurements, or have a wife or other that cleans the office, does pick ups etc, this expense is deducted for the pay you give them.

If you are employed, and your employer understanding you disability has another do a portion of your job, and out of goodness you still receive full pay, the portion that is not being used by you, is deducted. IT is a generous thing to the employer to still give fulll wage and you are given a forgiveness of the portion earned you did not work for.

Also, IF you are in a family business and they pay you a full salary, but you only work half time because of your illness, only the half you work for is counted.

In PA a new review process for the first denial in now ustilized. Before someon in the same office rubber stamped so to say the detrmination of the local worker...Now a Review committee in another seperate place reviews!

Check the ssa.gov website for Demostration projects in your own state. Oklahoma ahs DPN- disability program navigation
Florida- Florida Freedom Inititive FFI

There are Youth transition programs for those youth that receieved benftis in school now becoming adult age. They may wish to work a job.

Search for Diability Projects that are availbe in your state.

How did you learn of this conference? I live in PA near Harrisburg and would have liked to have attended this meeting. How do I learn of other meetings?

I have just applied for disability, but have not heard anything yet.

Hi G,
I am a member of Nami, national alliance for mental illness. The confernce had many different workshops. This one was in the afternoon the last day....

When the confernce notice came out it listed all the available workshops.

G, I think if you have a contact group in your area, folks that you may feel are a target group, request Soc sec if they would provide a speaker on the requested toipics you have.
I would bet they would comply. You could post in newspapers, on bulletin boards, in rehab centers to date and time and contact person to see how much response for seating etc.

Our local rehab center is good about allowing space, so is the school district, local churches, and community centers.

Kind of like when the AARP does the driver safety course. I bet you would get a good response.

If I see something availble I will pass it along.
Di

Thanks Di for the info...I have been thinking I need to find a group to join, just to get out of the house and talk to other people....It might be just what I need. Thanks for providing the info...

Not to get off the subject, but where near Harrisburg do you live ? Dimarie, do y ou know of any groups in Mass. ??

Dolfinz,
I have not heard of any, but do you mean support groups, or informational soc sec presentation.s. I thinl with a call to the office of vocational rehab. or Soc Sec they could provide a speaker for anywhere requested. Also, My attonrey use to wrok for social security and he did a presentation to our local support group several years ago. Basically on w/c and soc sec issues.

If you know of a good soc sec attorney I would ask him if he would speak and then put notices at therapy centers, PT and in the newspapers.
Dianne