This training explores the effect of the CARES Act including stimulus payments and expanded unemployment benefits and their impact on the different types of public benefits available to individuals with disabilities including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and housing.

This training is appropriate for individuals with disabilities, family members, case managers, employment specialists and other staff that work closely with individuals with disabilities.

After attending this training, participants will be able to:

• Readily identify the different types of public benefit programs available to individuals with disabilities including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and public housing.
• Evaluate the impact of the Pandemic Stimulus Payments on these public benefit programs.
• Comprehend how recent changes in unemployment benefits due to COVID-19 and the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program affects these public benefits.
• Understand the reporting requirements of PUA and expanded unemployment benefits.

This consecutive 2-day training  consists of the same subject matters described in The Nuts and Bolts of SSI and SSDI, Public Health Insurance and Other Public Benefits and The PASS Plan Intensive. This training is typically provided in four segments over two, full consecutive business days. Participants receive a comprehensive set of training materials and a certificate of completion. This combined training is appropriate for employment specialists and other staff that work closely with persons served to achieve employment goals.

This training has been approved for 10.5 hours of Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) hours.

(In-person: 11 hours, Virtual: 10.5 hours)

This comprehensive training provides detailed information on both Social Security disability benefit programs (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)), work incentives and health insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) associated with each program, and other public benefits that are available. This training is typically provided in one of two ways.

1. In-Person: three segments over two consecutive days, one full day and one half day

2. Virtual: three segments over three consecutive half-days (3 1/2 hours each day, typically mornings)

The first segment focuses on the SSI program and how its work incentives are available to certain subsets of the beneficiary population and demonstrates how each incentive can reduce, to some degree, the impact that work income normally has on SSI cash benefits. The SSI monthly calculation is reviewed and is the basis of one of the training’s major group activities.

The second segment focuses on the SSDI program and demonstrates how use of its associated work incentives may delay case closure, prolong the continuation of cash benefits, preserve public health insurance, or help reinstate cash and healthcare benefits to former beneficiaries.

The last segment focuses on eligibility requirements and dispute resolution processes of health insurance available to recipients of SSI and SSDI including Medicare, MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth, and One Care, and the benefits of the Medicaid-Buy In program for working beneficiaries. We also explore various other public benefits including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Subsidized Housing, Emergency Assistance to Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC), and Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC).

Participants receive a comprehensive set of training materials, including an SSI calculation tool that can be used to assist beneficiaries in planning and managing their return to work.

This training is appropriate for case managers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment specialists and other staff that work closely with SSI and SSDI recipients to achieve employment goals.

EVALUATION COMMENTS

“Brian is a fabulous presenter who most definitely knows his information. He explained everything clearly and with visuals that we can continue to use in our jobs with our clients.” – DEAF, Inc. employee

“We are very appreciative of the level of work that has gone into building your curriculum. The topic in general leaves much to be desired, but presenters like Brian makes it all the more palatable! Thank you for all you do.” -Jill Hatcher, DEAF, Inc.

“It broke down SSI, SSDI and other benefits into sizeable chunks of information. Each day covered a separate topic. Continue doing it this way.”

“I liked that there was a deep dive into the details and working relationships with all “systems”. I love that it was interactive, questions were encouraged and addressed in the moment rather than held until the end and Brian was invested in making sure attendees understood what was being said.”

“The presentation was clear and Brian was wonderful to explain things in a way that folks who don’t know everything can understand it and follow him. This training gave me that “aha moment” and everything clicked.”

“Just a great training to understand some very complex things that can be quite dry. I never lost interest and Brian could really answer any questions asked. His knowledge base is tremendous.”

“I better understand SSI and SSDI benefits, the reporting process, and feel more comfortable demonstrating to my clients the benefit to working. Also gained some information on where to direct them for more help.”

“The SSI calculation tool is a HUGE help. The slides and other handouts are great references to hold onto for questions in the future.”

“Being a small agency I am very glad to know that I can have experts help the job seekers determine how to best maximize their incomes at no cost to them or the agency.”

“This was one of the best trainings I have had the opportunity to take.” – DMH Attendee

This training provides in-depth information and tools to assist recipients of Social Security disability benefits to write, submit and maintain a Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) commonly referred to as PASS Plan. PASS plans help qualified individuals pay for key expenses related to achieving vocational goals, including education, transportation and equipment. The goal of PASS is to assist beneficiaries to reach self-sufficiency by becoming independent of benefits.

Participants must have a working knowledge of Social Security disability benefits to attend this training.

This training is appropriate for case managers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment specialists and other staff that provide employment support services for SSI and SSDI recipients.

As a result of this training, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the purpose of PASS and its benefits.
• Be able to assist clients to determine if PASS is right for them.
• Gain an understanding of how PASS can be used to support a client’s work goals.
• Become familiar with the PASS application form and how to complete it for best results.
• Learn how to leverage available resources to help complete the PASS application.

This training provides information related to the significant benefit changes that young adults with disabilities need to understand as they approach adulthood. These changes include the mandatory Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Age 18 redetermination process, how adult benefits differ from childhood-related benefits under both Social Security programs (SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)), and how changes to public health insurance can occur. There is a special emphasis on young adult-related programs and work incentives such as Section 301 (Continued Payment under a Vocational Rehabilitation or Similar Program), Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) for SSI recipients age 21 and younger, and Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) that can help young adults leverage financial resources to fund their education.

This training is appropriate for young adults, parents and other family members, and case managers and other staff that work closely with transition age youth who receive SSI and/or SSDI.

After attending this training, participants will be able to:

• Navigate through the redetermination process and changes to public health insurance.
• Differentiate adult benefits from childhood benefits under both SSI and SSDI.
• Utilize work incentives that support young adults with educational and employment goals.

EVALUATION COMMENTS

“It was so clear and easy to understand. I’ve attended several transition webinars presented by others but always left with my head spinning. And that tool to figure out benefits… amazing.”

“Loved the fact that the presenter sent the PowerPoint and other visuals for us to reference.”

“The trainer was absolutely incredibly relatable, kind, professional and intelligent!”

“I have taken several SSI &SSDI trainings and I finally feel like I get it. The presenter was very clear with her delivery of information and kept the flow of the information consistent. The slides were concise and easier to understand than previous trainings I have attended.”

Key Takeaways:

“Families and students can have more confidence that they can work and not lose more than they earn. Families can make financial plans to support their child in the future. Communicate, communicate, communicate!”

“There have been a lot of changes to encourage working without losing benefits.”

“The tool for calculating benefits. There are people and resources I can get in touch with to help navigate the world of SSI. Ahh the myths can officially end today.”

“The ABLE account. I told my parents about it before the training was over. We have all been wanting to save money for our twins (both Autism Spectrum Disorder) but didn’t know we could use this.”

This training addresses common myths around work and Social Security disability benefits (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)), while providing an overview of work incentives that offset the myths. Participants will review the major differences between SSI and SSDI, how work earnings affect cash benefits, public health insurance (Medicaid and Medicare), and other public benefits, i.e., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and subsidized housing, and best practices on reporting earnings and other changes to state and federal agencies that administer the benefit programs.

This training is appropriate for case managers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment specialists and other staff that provide employment support services for SSI and SSDI recipients.

After attending this training, participants will be able to:

• Debunk the myths that are associated with SSI, SSDI, and work.
• Recognize the differences between SSI and SSDI including how earnings from work affect each one.
• Identify work incentive programs and associate them with SSI, SSDI, or both.
• Employ best practices to report earnings to public agencies.

This training highlights the main barriers to employment for Social Security disability beneficiaries. Participants are educated on existing work incentives, reporting requirements, beneficiary rights and employment support programs that can help them realize that work is possible. A variety of community resources are shared so individuals know where and how to obtain the appropriate supports they may need to make informed decisions about employment and benefits.

This training is designed for individuals with disabilities who receive SSI and/or SSDI and family members.

Training Feedback:

“I didn’t know much about SSI and SSDI going into this workshop. This gave me a good understanding of them both and gave me some material to process.”

“Overall, very helpful. Presented a lot of confusing info in an easy to understand way. Thank you.”

“Everyone had the same questions that I had and they were answered thoroughly.”

“It allowed participants to ask questions out of scope, but was quick to bring it back to topic.”

“Information was presented in an organized, easy-to-understand way.”

“Great overview, with anecdotes that shed deeper light.”