Re: Adult Services eligibility while working

December 18, 2011

Congratulations to your daughter, yes, that IS a good problem to have. I

could take a stab at this, but would rather hear from Marsie or others first on

this list. They will do a better job than me! Iâ€™m forwarding this on to

Mâ€™s attention right now.

L.

From: cpropheter@...

Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 9:18 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Adult Services eligibility while working

We have a good problem (I guess) to have. Our 22 year old adult disabled

daughter is due to start a position with a starting wage over $10.00 per hour.

Her employer is willing to work with us to ensure we don't disqualify her for

government benefits. While we don't care if she receives an SSI check, we do,

however, want to ensure we don't disqualify her from the possibility of ever

receiving adult services as she needs the support to be able to work and live. I

understand the " asset " rule...what I am unclear on is if she makes more than

$1000.00 per month will that disqualify her from SSI eligibility? If the Section

1619 of SSI/Medicaid indicates Illinois' threshold is $27,000.00 doesn't that

then constitute as gainful activity and disqualify her from SSI? She starts work

in a couple of weeks so I'd like to be crystal clear to her employer just what

she can and cannot do. Thanks so much.

December 19, 2011

For SSI:

If you are a full time student & under the age of 22:Â you are allowed to earn

$6600 @ year (2011 #) before income will affect SSI.

If you are not a full time student or you are 22 or older: the first $85 earned

monthly, will not affect your SSI. Then, for every $2 you earn monthly, they

will subtract $1 of SSI monthly.

Â

HOW DOES WORKING AFFECT MEDICAL BENEFITS?

Â

Medical coverage, both Medicaid and Medicare, are extremely important to a large

number of people with disabilities. It is critical for them to understand that

going to work does not mean that their medical coverage will immediately end.

Unfortunately, this is a myth that has long been prevalent in the disability

community.

Â

Ã˜Â Â Â Â Work does NOT automatically cause loss of health care benefits.

Â

For individuals who receive SSI:

Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â There is a safety net called 1619( that protects from the loss

of Medicaid when an individual goes to work.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1619 ( is available to SSI recipients whose SSI decreases to

zero due to their work earnings.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â In order to be eligible for 1619(, it must be earned income or

wages that force the SSI check to zero.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â In addition, the individual must continue to meet all of the

other SSI eligibility requirements.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â He or she must continue to be disabled according to SSA

standards and have resources less than $2000.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Individuals can keep their Medicaid through 1619( until they

earn what is called their state threshold. This is an amount that varies from

state to state and can range from $15,000 per year to $49,000. The threshold for

Illinois in 2011 is $26,141.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Some individuals who receive SSI have extremely high medical

costs and the state threshold amount for the state in which they live is not an

incentive to return to work. For these individuals, it is possible for them to

receive what is called an individualized threshold through the local SSA office.

Â

For Individuals who receive SSDI:

Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â If they have never worked while on benefits, they will have at

least eight and a half years of Medicare coverage when they do begin working.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The first nine months of Medicare would be covered under what is

called a Trial Work Period.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The following 93 months are called Extended Medicare Coverage.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Even after the Extended Medicare Coverage ends, it does not mean

that the individual will lose this medical benefit.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Following Extended Medicare, individuals are able to purchase

their Medicare coverage. This means that they would pay a premium to keep their

Medicare.

Â

________________________________

From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 10:31 AM

Subject: Re: Adult Services eligibility while working

Â

Congratulations to your daughter, yes, that IS a good problem to have. I could

take a stab at this, but would rather hear from Marsie or others first on this

list. They will do a better job than me! Iâ€™m forwarding this on to Mâ€™s

attention right now.