Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)
A Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) is an opportunity for a person receiving SSA disability benefits to set aside “countable” income and/or resources to purchase goods or services that can assist in achieving a work goal. By setting aside “countable” income or resources, an individual can become eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or increase existing SSI payments.
Some common examples of PASS Plans include saving for the start up costs of a small business, tuition for post-secondary education, a car needed to get to and from work.
A person interested in a PASS Plan must be eligible for SSI benefits, be able to live on an SSI income, and be interested in working substantially.
A PASS Plan must:
- Be in writing
- Have a specific work goal
- Have a specific time frame
- Target income and/or resources that will be used to reach the work goal
- Show how the money and resources will be saved/spent
- Be approved by the Social Security Administration PASS Cadre
- Be reviewed periodically to assure compliance
- Have the potential to decrease reliance on the Social Security benefits
Many people with disabilities write their own PASS Plans. The form for a writing a PASS Plan is the SSA-545. Other people prefer to get assistance for a case manger or a Benefits Specialist. DVR will often purchase the services of writing a PASS Plan from a Benefits Specialist.
The SSA PASS Cadres for Wisconsin are located at the St. Paul, MN SSA Field Office:
Nellie Adrover (A to L) 800-551-9796 (ext. 23040)
Mark Vevea (M to Z) 800-551-9796 (ext. 23074)
Social Security Administration
190 5th St. E
St Paul, MN 55101
To learn more about PASS and see examples, visit:
The University of Montana Rural Institute: http://www.passplan.org/
SSA website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm