HI friends, on the soc sec forum I posted some of the information I learned from the conference National Alliance On Mental Illness this past weekend.

The work shop was titled working affecting your ssdi benefits. It was apresenter from the PA system so from state to state I understand there are some differences.

One is the MWAD program, giving persons of lower income working with disability the oppertunity to purchase wlefare medicaid coverage at aprx $50 a month. You can asssest up to $10,000 not including your home or car for this, $2000 for SSI.

Here is the link:http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=5000

And the post:
THIS IS THE UPDATE TODAY!
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.

__________________