1- Q: I know I that I receive a check from Social Security and I think it is an SSI benefit but how can I find out for sure?
A: If you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), you will get your check on the first of the month -- the amount should be about $595.25. To find out for sure, go to your local Social Security office (bring identification) and ask for a benefits statement or a copy of your "award letter." You should also get the name of your "claims representative" because you will need to report your income monthly after you start earning money.

2- Q: If I begin to work, how long will I keep my cash benefits?
A: It is not a question of how long you work, but how much you earn. When you start to earn money, Social Security will disregard some of your gross earnings and then gradually reduce your benefits check as your pay increases. You don't lose your check completely until you earn $1,275.50 a month.

3- Q: What do you mean by disregard some of my earnings?
A: When you work, Social Security will disregard or exclude the first $65 dollars that you earn in any given month (it's called the EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION) when they count your income. If you have no other income besides earnings and SSI, Social Security will also exclude $20 (the GENERAL EXCLUSION) of you total monthly income. Basically, the first $85 of gross earnings will not affect your SSI check.

4- Q: Okay, Social Security disregards the first $85 dollars of my pay but what do you mean by gradually reduce the SSI check?
A: After the first $85 dollars is excluded from earnings, Social Security will deduct $1 from your SSI check for every $2 you earn in gross pay.
For example, if you earn $285 in one month then Social Security will exclude the first $85. They will then use the remaining $200 dollars when calculating the reduction in your SSI. Since they deduct $1 in SSI for every $2 in pay, they will deduct $100 dollars (this is called "countable income" from your SSI check. If your earnings increase, so will the deduction from your SSI; as pay increases your benefits decrease.

5- Q: So if I'm losing $100 from my SSI check, am I really getting ahead by working?
A: In general, yes. Using our previous example, if Social Security deducts $100 from the SSI check, you'll be left with $495.25 in SSI. However, you'll have $285 in gross pay, which, after taxes, should leave you with about $230 or more in net pay. If you add the reduced SSI and you net pay, your income for that month will be about $725; you've increased your total monthly income by about 25%. In addition, you may be eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit at the end of the year. Many people get a refund that exceeds the taxes they paid in. For more information, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and ask for a brochure.

6- Q: What happens if I stop working?
Your check will be restored to the original amount.

7- Q: I have pretty high monthly medical costs. I depend on medical assistance to pay for my medications. Will I lose my health benefits when I work?
A: As long as you receive $1 a month in SSI, you can work and keep your medical coverage.

8- Q: How long will I keep my health care?
A: Again, what matters is not how long you work but how much you earn. You will continue to be eligible for your medical assistance if you earn less than Social Security calls the BREAKEVEN POINT which is about $1,275.50 a month. If you earn in excess of that amount, there is a Work Incentive, 1619b, that may allow you to still be eligible for Medical Assistance. If you need the Medical Assistance in order to work, have no other available health coverage, and you are still eligible for SSI for reasons other than earnings (for example, you don't have more than $2000 in resources) you can receive Medical Assistance until you reach the state THRESHOLD AMOUNT.

9- Q: The Threshold amount…?
A: This is maximum amount you can earn and still retain Medicaid under 1619b. Currently, the yearly amount a person can earn and keep Medicaid is $27,021. In some situations, the amount can be increased if health costs are excessive.

10- Q: What if I get sick again and lose my job?
A: If you are unable to work anytime during the first year after losing SSI and 1619b Medicaid coverage, you can be reinstated if you're still disabled. There is also a subsequent five-year reinstatement period where you receive benefits for at least six months while SSA reviews your claim; if you lost work because of disability, you'll be reinstated. It's a "no lose" situation because even if SSA determines that you are not disabled, you won't have to repay the six months of benefits.

11- Q: What happens if I get a job that pays more than the Threshold Amount but it doesn't provide health benefits, do I have to turn it down?
A. No. New Jersey has a Medicaid Buy-in program, called NJ WORKABILITY Medicaid. You can pay a monthly premium of up to $25 and be eligible for full Medicaid coverage with earnings just above $47,340 (2004) a year. For more information about resource limits, eligibility etc., call (888) 285-3036

12- Q: Is there anything else I should know that can help me get back to work?
A: There are quite a few Work Incentives that can support beneficiaries when they return to work. Two of the primary ones are PLANS FOR ACHIEVING SELF -SUPPORT and IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSES. A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF -SUPPORT or PASS will allow a person to save the money that would normally be deducted from his or her SSI check. The individual can then use this money toward achieving a vocational goal. The use of IMPAIRMENT RELATED WORK EXPENSES (called IRWE) will allow a person to deduct income that is spent on items that are needed by a worker with a disability in order to maintain employment.

13- Q: How do I find out more?
To find out more about Work Incentives go to Social Security's Web site at or you can order publications over the phone by calling 1(800) 772-1213. I recommend the following:

• Working While Disabled - How We Can Help, Pub 05-10095
• Work Incentives for People with Disabilities (Redbook), Pub- 64-030
• Social Security: What You Need to Know When You Get SSI, Pub- 05-11011
• How We Decided If You Are Still Disabled, Pub- 05-10053

These brochures may also help you understand SSA terminology so you can more effectively advocate for yourself in your dealings with SSA.
For more information about other state initiatives involving work and disability:
http://www.ssa.gov/work/Beneficiaries/activity.html#NewJersey

14 -Q: Anything else?
A: Yes, if you receive other government benefits you should know how your earnings may affect them (Section 8 housing, utility subsidies etc.). There are two organizations in the NJ that can help you plan for these adjustments as well as help with issues involving Social Security.

They are:
The United Cerebral Palsy Association of NJ @ (877) NJWINS2, njwins@cpofnj.org

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey @ (866) 946-7465, njwins@efnj.com
To see what office covers your area visit:

http://www.efnj.com/programs/njwins.shtml

Its is strongly recommended that you keep records of all contacts with SSA and a copy of all pay stubs that you submit to your claims representative.