Policy and Practice Brief: Delivering Advocacy Services Through P&A for Beneficiaries of Social Security Programs

This brief explores two developments that have occurred to expand the services available through PABSS programs, including: a change in grant conditions to allow PABSS attorneys and advocates to handle work-related SSI and SSDI administrative appeals, including overpayments; and amendments, as part of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004, which allow PABSS attorneys and advocates to represent former cash beneficiaries who are getting continued health insurance coverage through either section 1519(b) (Medicaid While Working) or the extended Medicare. This brief describes both the original legislation creating PABSS and original PABSS grant conditions and how amendments to both have expanded who PABSS programs can represent and the type of issues they can handle

Policy and Practice Brief: Expanding Health Insurance Options; A Framework for Advising Social Security Beneficiaries of Their Rights Under Private Insurance Contracts

This brief provides a framework for advising Social Security beneficiaries of their rights under private insurance contracts. Reviewed are basic insurance concepts; coverage issues; pre-existing condition clauses; COBRA; ERISA; and, appeal rights

Policy and Practice Brief: Medicaid and Persons with Disabilities; A Focus on Eligibility, Covered Services, and Program Structure

This brief provides the reader with a practical guide to understanding the Medicaid program. It reviews services typically covered; eligibility criteria—how to establish and retain eligibility; typical program structure; and, the appeals system

Policy and Practice Brief: Medical Continuing Disability Reviews and Related Concepts; A Discussion of Medical CDRs and the Age 18 Redetermination

This brief provides an overview of the policies and procedures governing the continuing disability review process within the Social Security Administration. Discussed are the Age 18 Redetermination process as well as practical tips for beneficiaries and their representative payees as they negotiate this continuing disability review process

Policy and Practice Brief: State Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Programs; Advocacy Services available from state P&A Programs can help Social Security and SSI recipients being served by Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Projects

This brief provides an indepth profile of the myriad of protection and advocacy programs mandated by Congress which include the mandate, legal authority, eligibility and examples. This includes protection and advocacy for the developmentally disabled; individuals with mental illness; individual rights; assistive technology; beneficiaries of Social Security; and, the Client Assistance Program

Dealing with Post-Entitlement Issues; A Practical Guide for Advocates

This brief details sources of possible overpayments under the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance Program. Reviewed is the process for beneficiary notification of overpayment along with possible remedies and approaches to resolving overpayment issues

Policy and Practice Brief: Conducting Outreach to Transition-Aged Youth; Strategies for Reaching Out to Youth with Disabilities, Their Families, and Agencies that Serve Them

This brief focuses on strategies for assisting Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Programs and Protection and Advocacy Projects in conducting outreach to transition-aged youth. Practical applications are identified and resources are provided to assist projects in reaching this untapped population

Policy and Practice Brief: PASS: SSI’s Plan for Achieving Self-Support; This Self-Directed Vocational Rehabilitation Plan is an Alternative Funding Source to Support a Range of Work Goals

This primer provides an in-depth overview of the Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), a Supplemental Security Income work incentive program. Detailed is how the PASS can support self-directed vocational rehabilitation and its impact on an individual’s benefits as they progress toward their established work goal. The process for completing a PASS Application is also reviewed

Policy and Practice Brief: The Federal Earned Income Tax Credit; A Work Incentive That Puts More Money in a Paycheck and Saves on Taxes

This brief explores the Earned-Income Tax Credit which is a special tax benefit for working people who earn a low or moderate income. Reviewed are the specifics of the tax credit along with application for how it can support the career development aspirations of beneficiaries with disabilities

Policy and Practice Brief: The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program; The Changing Landscape of Vocational Rehabilitation for Beneficiaries of Social Security Administration Disability Benefit Programs

This brief provides an indepth overview of the Ticket to Work Program. Discussed are eligibility requirements from both the beneficiary and Employment Network perspective; specific roles and functions; the Ticket to Work process; payment schedules; and dispute resolution strategies