If you rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits and want to start working or return to work, Social Security can help.
The plan for achieving self-support (PASS) lets you use your income or the resources you own to help you reach your work goals. PASS is for both SSI and SSDI. The job that you want should allow you to earn enough to reduce or eliminate the SSI or SSDI benefits you currently receive.
You should use the PASS if all of these apply to you:
You want to work.
You get SSI (or can qualify for SSI by having this plan) because you have a disability or are blind.
You have income, other than SSI, or resources above the resource limit, to use to get a job or start a business.
Your employment income may reduce or eliminate your SSDI benefits. Under SSI rules, any income that you have may reduce your SSI payment. But if you have an approved plan, you can use most of that income to pay for the items you need to reach your work goal.
You can read about what work expenses are covered, and more, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-11017.pdf.
Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to work. The program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.
To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
