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Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network Newsletter For Your Benefits

Vol. 5, Issue 23, December 2007

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Introduction

The Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network (WDBN) is a statewide system that provides direct assistance to benefits counseling practitioners and seeks ways to reach out to and better serve people with disabilities, their supporters, and professional service providers in Wisconsin. This newsletter provides current program news, important notices and updates, and upcoming training and educational opportunities.

2008 WDBN Calendar:

March 4th HEC Quarterly Meeting
March 5th WDBN Quarterly Meeting
June 10th HEC Quarterly Meeting
June 11th WDBN Quarterly Meeting
Oct 13, 14, and 15 Benefits Specialist Conference (In collaboration with Annual ADRC conference)

What's New


WDBN Training and Technical Assistance

The WDBN is changing the Technical Assistance (TA) model starting in 2008. There will be three Technical Assistance providers for the WDBN. They are Megan Fowler, John Fuller and Stephanie Drum. Please find the county in which you are located to determine who your TA is. Download a copy of the map with list of counties: WORD format | PDF format.

Through the WDBN you are able to access benefits counseling support. Please contact the TA in your area with any questions you have related to your role as a benefits counselor. In 2008 the WDBN TAs will be visiting with benefits specialists across the state and offering more one-on-one training as needed.

Benefits Planning Query Handbook

Social Securities' Benefits Planning Query Handbook (BPQY) is now available for download as a WORD document. A BPQY is a planning tool that can be used by Area Work Incentive Coordinators (AWIC), the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Cadre members, advocates and other personnel such as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) counselors.

The information in a BPQY is used to provide customized services and information on SSA's employment support programs to beneficiaries with disabilities who want to start or keep working. Analysis of an individual's disability and work status is the first step when planning a successful return to work initiative. Download a copy of the Benefits Planning Query Handbook (WORD).

SSA Cheat Sheet for 2008

The 2008 Social Security Administration amounts are now available. Download this handy cheatsheet with the 2008 SSA amounts: WORD format | PDF format. We will be sending a complete update in February when the Federal Poverty Levels are released.

NAMI launches Veterans Resource Center

Recently, NAMI launched its Veterans Resource Center, an online portal to mental health resources for America's veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Many of our veterans who are returning from active duty face a second war at home, confronting profound mental health problems that challenge their lives and the lives of their families.

Consider these grim statistics:

In an effort to respond to these issues, NAMI's Veterans Resource Center features a growing compilation of fact sheets, self-help information, online discussion groups, research and policy updates, and links to government agencies and other private organizations. NAMI has made the Center a priority to meet a growing need.

ERI Recognized by Social Security Administration

ERI is very proud to have been recognized recently by the Social Security Administration for helping people realize their full rights and responsibilities under Social Security and being instrumental in the design of the SSA Benefits Planning Query. Robert Pagan, SSA Area Director and Dan Gronemus, Madison SSA Office Director attended December?s WDBN Meeting to present the Outstanding Public Service certificate on behalf of the Office of the Regional Commissioner.

Tammy Liddicoat, ERI Executive Director accepted the award recognizing the work and commitment of Mary Ridgely, ERI's long-time Director who continues to devote her career to growing the profession of benefits counseling both statewide and nationally. Specific to the development of the BPQY, Mary and the first benefits counselor she ever hired, Tina Schwartz, hatched an idea in the mid 1990s to develop a systematic way to obtain information such as trial work periods and work histories for Social Security beneficiaries.

Ron Konkol of the Social Security Administration took the idea and ran with it, recruiting the help of SSA staff and benefits specialists from Wisconsin and Minnesota. With the perseverance of these folks, including Bob Monahan of the Madison SSA office, the BPQY came into use sometime around 2000 and continues to evolve. The BBQY is now being used by hundreds of benefits specialists across the country, saving countless hours of SSA staff time and helping to serve thousands of beneficiaries as they pursue employment.

ERI is very proud to have played a part in the development of this tool that has streamlined the process of gathering important information to assist people with disabilities.

Benefits News Roundup

Social Security Overpayment Waiver Request

An overpaid Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) beneficiary or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient can request that the Social Security Administration waive (dismiss or disregard) an overpayment at any time. Even if a person is no longer eligible for or entitled to benefits, or even if recovery has begun or is completed, a beneficiary or recipient can still request and be granted a waiver.

A request for a waiver should stop any recovery or adjustment action that may be in progress; however, if and when SSA makes a denial decision on a waiver request, the recovery or adjustment resumes. A waiver denial may be appealed, but the time limitation for appeals (normally 60 days) is applicable. POMS GN 02250.001 | GN 02250.002 | SI 02260.000

Building: Individual Development Account (IDA)

An IDA is an asset building tool available to people who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). With an IDA a person can save money from work for education, a first home, or starting a business, and the deposits to the IDA are matched with money from the TANF program.

If the person is also receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any work earnings the person contributes to his/her IDA are deducted in determining countable income for the SSI payment computation. In addition, the recipient’s deposits, the matching contribution from the TANF program, and any interest on the account are excluded from resources for SSI purposes.

A qualified not-for-profit organization, state or local government agency, or tribal government acting in cooperation with a not-for-profit organization that provides the TANF benefits decides who is eligible for a TANF IDA and what constitutes a qualified purpose. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) oversees the TANF and IDA programs.

Disbursements from a TANF IDA can only be made for a qualified purpose (e.g., education, business capitalization or first home purchase) or for an allowable emergency (as determined by the IDA agency). Disbursements from a TANF IDA for a qualified purpose are excluded from income (including emergency withdrawals.)

The purpose of an IDA must be postsecondary educational expenses, business capitalization, or first home purchase, all of which must meet certain qualifications. Postsecondary educational expenses include tuition and fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student at an eligible educational institution. Qualified business capitalization expenses may include capital, plant, equipment, working capital, and inventory expenses. A qualified first-time homebuyer is an individual (and, if married, the individual's spouse) who has had no ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of acquisition of the principal residence. POMS SI 00830.665

Medicare Enrollment after COBRA

If a person receiving health insurance under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA) wants to enroll for Medicare Part B when COBRA eligibility ends, having COBRA would not entitle the person to a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare. If such a person could not enroll for Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), then he/she would have to enroll during a General Enrollment Period (GEP) and so be subject to the surcharge for delayed enrollment (10% per year) on the premium.

To be entitled to an SEP, the person’s health insurance must be tied to current employment. That is, a person must be enrolled in a group health plan based on "current employment status" (as defined in POMS HI 00805.266.) Someone can have current employment status even if not actively working for the employer if he/she meets all the conditions listed in that POMS section, which includes having employment based a group health plan that is not COBRA continuation coverage.

Individuals covered under COBRA are never covered under a group health plan by reason of current employment status, even when COBRA coverage is in effect by reason of a reduction of employment hours. Similarly, COBRA coverage for qualified dependents is not based on current employment status even when the employee continues to qualify for regular group health plan coverage (for example, in the case of divorce or legal separation, or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent child.) POMS HI 805.330

BWE and IRWE SSI Issues

I. Blind Work Expenses (BWE), Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and a Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS):

  1. Income used to pay for a particular work-related item may not be excluded from countable income under the PASS and the BWE or IRWE provisions simultaneously.
  2. A BWE or IRWE expense excludable under a PASS for SSI countable income purposes may be deductible as an IRWE for an SSDI SGA determinationsince these are separate determinations.
  3. When both a PASS and BWE or IRWE apply, the exclusion most advantageous to the individual is used. Generally, a PASS is most advantageous. POMS DI 10520.030A

II. BWE / IRWE and 1619(b): When eligibility under section 1619(b) is being determined for an individual, BWE and IRWE can be used in the individualized threshold calculation as described in POMS SI 02302.050.

III. BWE / IRWE and Retrospective Monthly Accounting (RMA): under the RMA computation for a monthly SSI payment, a recipient may have a BWE or IRWE which can apply to the budget month (the second month before the month for which payment is being computed) in calculating a payment even if the recipient no longer qualifies for use of a BWE or IRWE in the computation month (the month of payment.) POMS SI 00820.545E.

Annual Reminders: Benefits and Taxes

Although benefits counselors do not normally assist clients with their taxes unless they are qualified tax preparers, they should be aware of and can share general information about benefits and taxes.

Federal Taxation of SSA Benefits – Whether a person's Social Security benefits are taxable depends on his/her total income and marital status. Form SSA-1099, which Social Security beneficiaries should receive by January 31, shows the total benefits that are used to determine taxable benefits. POMS GN 05001.005

In most cases if Social Security benefits were a person's only income, benefits are not taxable and a federal income tax return need not be filed. Beneficiaries who received Social Security benefits plus other income need to complete the worksheet in the Form 1040 or 1040A instruction book to see if federal tax must be paid.

For a quick computation, add one-half of a person's Social Security benefits to all other income, including tax-exempt interest. If this amount is greater than the base amount for their filing status, a part of their benefits will be taxable. The base amounts are:

EITC – Benefits counselors should be aware of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which is for people who work and have low income. This credit reduces or offsets the amount of a person's payroll taxes making more money available and so serving as a work incentive. http://www.irs.gov/eitc

To be eligible a person must meet various general rules that involve working, type and limitations in income, citizenship, and the filing of federal tax returns. A qualifying individual can receive part of the EITC for the coming year in his/her regular pay check by completing and giving Form W-5 to his/her employer. Or a person can receive a larger refund after a return is filed.

The Homestead Tax Credit (HTC) through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue can provide an income tax credit or an annual cash benefit for state low income homeowners and renters. The purpose of the credit is to help people meet the rising costs of property tax bills and rental payments. www.dor.state.wi.us/

To be eligible a person must have been an adult resident of Wisconsin all of the previous year, own or rent the property that he/she lives on, and have total household income of less than $24,500.

The amount of credit is based on the relationship between a person's household income and the amount of his/her allowable property taxes and/or rent. Persons sharing living expenses for a rented homestead are each entitled to claim a portion of the rent paid for occupancy of the homestead.

A person must complete a Wisconsin Homestead Credit Claim, Schedule H or H-EZ, to receive the credit. For help in preparing a homestead credit claim, contact any Department of Revenue office.

Disability Rights Wisconsin Updates:

The following topics are covered in the Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) updates:

Download a copy of the updates: WORD format | PDF format



Training and Educational Opportunities:

Reducing Stigma for American Soldiers

Date: December 20, 2007
Time: 2:00-3:30pm CT

To register for this training teleconference, please click: http://stopstigma.samhsa.gov./teleconferences/registration/default.aspx

Please pass this invitation along to interested friends and colleagues. Please note: Registration for this teleconference will close at 5:00pm ET, on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. We will email the telephone number for the training teleconference to all registered participants on Wednesday, December 19, 2007.

This training will:

  1. Explore research on soldiers, including veterans, and mental health stigma.
  2. Offer first-hand accounts from people who have experienced mental health stigma in the military.
  3. Provide an overview of strategies that may help to promote mental health recovery and reduce stigma among members of the military.

Disability and Special Needs Technical Assistance Conference (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery)

Date: January 8-9, 2008
Place: Capital Hilton, Washington, DC

The Disability and Special Needs Technical Assistance Conference will provide technical assistance on aspects of emergency management planning and response for people with disabilities and special needs. Recent disasters have made us aware of plans and operational procedures related to response and recovery to these populations in any natural or non-natural disaster. This conference will bring together Federal, State, and local experts to discuss day-to-day challenges in planning for their vulnerable populations. You will learn new concepts currently used or being developed to address disability and special needs planning in their jurisdictions.

For more information:

  1. Register on-line at: www.governmenthorizons.org/emergency-preparedness-and-response08.htm
  2. Phone Katie Smith at: (703) 807-2758
  3. E-mail Katie Smith at: ksmith@marketaccess.org

Wisconsin Transition Conference

Date: January 22–23, 2008
Place: Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

For more information register on-line at: http://www.wsti.org/events.conf.2008.php


AT Across the Lifespan

Date: March 6–7, 2008
Place: Holiday Inn Convention Center, Stevens Point, WI

WisTech, in partnership with the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI), presents the 2nd Annual AT Across the Lifespan Conference.

More information about the conference can be found on the WATI website at: http://www.wati.org/Conference/Conference.html


National ADA Symposium and Expo

Date: May 12–14, 2008
Place: St. Louis, MO

For more information check out the website at: http://www.adasymposium.org

The National ADA Symposium is the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws. This premiere event offers a session schedule offering a wide range of topics. You can customize your schedule to meet your individual needs and interests.

Presenters at this conference are key representatives from agencies involved with the ADA and those agencies include: U.S. Dept. of Justice, EEOC, U.S. Access Board, U.S. Dept. of Labor and the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Great Lakes ADA Audio Conferences:


Disability Law and Policy, Present and Future
Date: December 18th, 2007
Time: 1:00-2:30pm CT
CEU Credits: CRCC, SHRM

Reviewing previous research efforts, this session sets out a blueprint for the role of research, policy, and law in advancing the civic, economic and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society. It reviews past public policy efforts and research findings regarding workers with disabilities. It discusses current and future research initiatives on the cutting edge of promoting successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The discussion presents promising research methodologies in multidisciplinary field disability and employment research. Finally, our presenter will put forth challenges and opportunities for research, policy, and legal initiatives, framing a blueprint for the next quarter century.

Speaker:
Peter Blanck, JD, Ph.D, Chair, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University

For more information about this and other upcoming audio conferences or to register for this conference, go to http://www.ada-audio.org.

Best Practices in Design: Balancing local, State and Federal Requirements to Ensure Accessibility
Date: January 15th, 2008
Time: 1:00-2:30pm CT
CEU Credits: CRCC, AIA

What is best practice when it comes to designing accessible environments? Is compliance with local, state and federal building codes/standards enough? Architects and designers are faced with a myriad of rules and regulations governing accessible design which may require their professional judgment to determine which provides greater access. Join our panel of speakers as they discuss and debate this issue and engage in a dialogue about achieving minimal compliance versus designing accessible and useable environments.

Speakers:
Jack Catlin, AIA, LCM Architects Doug Anderson, LCM Architects
John Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice
Joe Russo, Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

For more information about this and other upcoming audio conferences or to register for this conference, go to http://www.ada-audio.org.

Project ACTION seeks applications for the 2008 Mobility Planning Services (MPS) Institute

April 21-24, 2008
Renaissance Washington Hotel
Washington, DC
http://www.easterseals.com/site/R?i=BcjjbFDqA-P641H_1kUZyg
Applications due: December 21, 2007

Do you wish your collaborative efforts were more effective in meeting the transportation needs of people with disabilities? The 2008 Mobility Planning Services Institute can provide the tools you need if your community is ready to:

Gather some of the key players in your community who represent disability and transportation organizations and bring them to Easter Seals Project ACTION's Mobility Planning Services Institute taking place April 21-24, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Twenty teams will be selected from across the U.S. They will travel to Washington, D.C., to convene at the Renaissance Washington Hotel to share information and strategies to improve access to transportation services in their communities. Teams are comprised of three to five leaders from the disability world and transportation industry in their communities. You are encouraged to begin assembling your team right away, referring to the application guidelines related to team membership, and give thoughtful consideration to the questions that are asked.

Ongoing Training:

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Contact Us:

Name Job Title Extension Email
Benbow, John Researcher/Curriculum Developer 247 benbow@eri-wi.org
Drum, Stephanie Learning Services Program Lead 229 drum@eri-wi.org
Fowler, Megan CWIC Benefits Specialist
HEC Regional Screener		 230
Toll Free WIPA line
(877) 242-1357
Toll Free HEC line
(800) 391-2950 		fowler@eri-wi.org
Fuller, John Director of Employment & Benefits Counseling Services 223 fuller@eri-wi.org
Goodman, Phil Assistive Technology Consultant 234 goodman@eri-wi.org
Hurst, Maria Office Manager 0 hurst@eri-wi.org
Kulow, Theresa Marketing & Communications Director
WI Disability Program Navigator Training & Technical Assistance		 224 kulow@eri.org
Larson, Meredith Benefits Specialist 227 larson@eri-wi.org
Liddicoat, Tammy Executive Director 222 liddicoat@eri-wi.org
Schramm, Randy Financial Manager 237 schramm@eri-wi.org
Wanek, Jolene Benefits Counseling Project Lead
HEC Regional Screener 		231
(toll free #) (877) 826-1752
wanek@eri-wi.org


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