Vol. 5, Issue 22, November 2007
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.
WDBN Calendar:
- October/November Multiple Dates & Locations: Medicare Part D: Get the Basics and What to Expect for 2008
- November 14 in Menomonie — ADRC I & A Specialists Medicaid Training
- December 5, WDBN Quarterly Meeting - More information coming soon! Get a summary of the last quarterly meeting below.
What's New
WDBN: Looking Forward to 2008!
We are very pleased to announce that Employment Resources, Inc. ERI has been awarded the contract to carry out the continued development and management of the Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network. We are very pleased by this news and look forward to working with all of you to further the understanding of benefits information and advance the profession of benefits counseling in Wisconsin.
It appears that 2008 will offer changes on many levels. In Wisconsin, Managed Long Term Care is expanding and the DHFS Managed Care and Employment Task Force is placing a renewed emphasis on integrated employment, which may influence state policy regarding benefits counseling and related training. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) are combining elderly and disability services and will soon serve every county with the services of a Disability Benefit Specialist. Nationally, revised Social Security Ticket to Work regulations are planned to take affect this spring with promises of expanded eligibility for consumers and more flexible milestone payments for providers. National associations for benefits specialists have been formed to promote continuing education, standardization and unity for benefits specialists. We highly encourage benefits specialists to join these new associations.
As for next year, in partnership with Disability Rights Wisconsin and UW-Stout, the WDBN plans to 1) customize the WDBN initial training course to meet the unique needs of Work Incentive Benefits Specialists (WIBS) and Disability Benefits Specialists (DBS); 2) develop web-based training strategies to provide flexible and easily accessible information for benefits specialists; 3) build the WDBN web presence; and 4) continue to work with critical partners to create a united quality assurance system for the profession of benefits counseling in Wisconsin.
Remember – this is your Network. For the benefit of all, we hope you will participate, learn and share!
Basic Training Resources
For those of you who attended the recent 9 day WDBN Basic Training, don't forget that you can access training resources online. If you have any questions about the resources or forgot your login information, please contact Stephanie Drum (drum@eri-wi.org)
Benefits News Roundup
SSDI Employment Pilot (2:1) News
4 State Website:
The 4 states involved in the SSDI Employment Pilot have worked together to create a website dedicated to the project with each state having their own information listed separately. Please take a moment to take a look. You can find the website at http://benefitoffset.org
Earnings Estimates:
As the Benefits Specialists that work at the 20 2:1 sites know, participants in the pilot who are in the treatment group must complete a revised earnings estimate when annual earnings change significantly. These forms are quite complicated and have been a source of continued training even for the Benefits Specialists who are working on the pilot. If you are not a 2:1 Benefits Specialist but have pilot participants requesting assistance with the revised earnings estimate forms, please refer them to their 2:1 Benefits Specialist or to Terri Lannan (608-264-9964) or Amy Thomson (608-266-1164).
Social Security Announces 2.3 Percent Benefit Increase for 2008
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 54 million Americans will increase 2.3 percent in 2008, the Social Security Administration announced today.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year. This year's increase in the CPI-W was 2.3 percent.
The 2.3 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 50 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2008. Increased payments to more than 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 31.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $102,000 from $97,500. Of the estimated 164 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2008, nearly 12 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2008 can be found at www.cms.hhs.gov.
Annual Reminder: Gifts under SSI (POMS SI 00830.520)
SSA makes no special effort to find out the value of holiday gifts that an SSI recipient receives. In the regularly scheduled re-determination of a recipient's eligibility (non-medical factors), which can happen anytime throughout the year, SSA does ask a routine question about the receipt of any gifts. Normally SSA will not pursue the issue when a recipient answers in the negative.
If a recipient alleges receiving a gift, SSA will accept a signed estimate of the value of the gift (or actual value if cash) unless they have reason to doubt the estimate. SSA will determine the nature of the gift and apply the appropriate provisions relating to income.
For SSI a gift is something a recipient receives which is not repayment for goods or services the person provided and is not given because of a legal obligation on the giver's part. To be a gift, something must be given irrevocably (that is, the donor relinquishes all control.)
Generally for SSI recipients, Social Security considers gifts and contributions unearned income subject to the general rules pertaining to income and income exclusions.
Following are exceptions when a gift is excluded as income:
- Up to $60 per quarter of unearned income if received infrequently or irregularly; that is, if received only once during a calendar quarter from a single source, or if its receipt cannot reasonably be expected.
- The value of any commercial transportation ticket received as a gift and not converted to cash. This applies to travel among the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
- The value of any non-cash item (other than food, clothing or shelter) is not income if the item would become a partially or totally excluded nonliquid resource if retained in the month after the month of receipt. For example, if the gift is a car, the value of that car is not income if it is kept the month after the month of receipt and qualifies as an excluded resource.
Gifts (or a portion of a gift) used for tuition, fees, or other necessary educational expenses at any educational institution, including vocational and technical education ones, are excluded from income (POMS SI 00830.455) and are excluded from resources for the 9-month period beginning the month after the month the gift was received (POMS SI 01130.455.)
Self-Employment SGA
This year the Social Security Administration (SSA) changed the way it determines Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) for disability beneficiaries who are working in self-employment. SSA added a new test that applies in only certain situations.
The new test is the "countable income test" and is used after a beneficiary has received SSDI for 24 months to determine if the beneficiary's disability has ceased due to the performance of SGA in self-employment. POMS DI 10510.010.
Under this test SSA compares a beneficiary's countable income to the SGA earnings guidelines for that year to determine if the beneficiary has engaged in SGA. If a beneficiary's monthly countable SEI averages more than the SGA guideline amount ($900 in 2007), he/she has engaged in SGA unless there is evidence that shows that he/she did not render significant services (see below) in the month.
The other situations in which an SGA evaluation is needed and the "countable income test" would not be used is when SSA determines:
- Initial eligibility for disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI);
- Whether SEI performed before a beneficiary has received SSDI for at least 24 months is SGA;
- Whether work performed in or after the EPE/re-entitlement period is SGA after an SGA cessation has been determined;
- SGA during the initial reinstatement period (IRP) for expedited reinstatement (EXR) cases.
In these cases SSA evaluates the beneficiary's self-employment income (SEI) applying the three (3) other tests that have been used in the past. All of these tests must be considered before a beneficiary's work can be judged not SGA in any of the above four situations:
- Is the self employed person performing significant services in the trade or business AND deriving substantial income from the trade or business? Or…
- Is the work comparable to that of an unimpaired individual in the community? Or…
- Is the work clearly worth more than the SGA level?
Foodshare
Operations Memo 07-49, effective October 1, 2007, includes several changes to the FoodShare Handbook. The most relevant changes are summarized below.
Summary:
Under Medicare Part D, only unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs are considered when determining a household's medical expense deduction. Section 4.6.4.4
The tables in the FoodShare manual have been updated with Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) changes. See online manual at http://www.emhandbooks.wi.gov/fsh. 8.1 Tables
eFunds replaces J.P. Morgan as the new electronic benefits administrator as of October 19th. eFunds will be issuing QUEST cards for new applicants. Current recipient continue to use their existing cards. The customer service numbers are: 1-877-415-5164, 1-800-947-3529 TTY
There are new Standard Deductions and Standard Utility Allowances See http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/em/ops-memos/2007/pdf/07-49.pdf.
Disability Rights Wisconsin Updates:
Medicaid
President Bush Vetoes State Children's Insurance Program (SCHIP) – SCHIP is our BadgerCare program. The BadgerCare program covers many children and adult household members who lack access to health care coverage. One of the justifications for the veto was that some states, such as Wisconsin, had gone beyond the original intent of the SCHIP funding by covering adults with children. Research has shown that children's health improves when parents are also covered. As of October 1, 2007 Wisconsin had no carry over federal matching funds for the BadgerCare program, and expected little in the way of redistributed funds. This veto coupled with our state legislative budget impasse makes it unknown what cuts, if any, could be made to the BadgerCare program.
Citizenship and Identity
Medicaid, BadgerCare and Family Planning Waiver Program applicants or recipients can request their county agency to pay for birth certificates and WI ID cards. Applicants and recipients who cannot afford to pay for a birth certificate and/or WI ID card can request that the county Income Maintenance agency provide this financial assistance, if there is no documentation available from Levels 1-6, needs an out of state birth certificate and/or has no identity documentation. Applicants and recipients who were born in Wisconsin but are not found in the online birth query, can request that a Wisconsin birth certificate be paid for with funds available through the Department of Health and Family Services. The Income Maintenance agency will not reimburse a recipient who has already paid for a birth certificate and/or WI ID card. See the Citizenship and Identity Resources Page for all Operations Memos and other related information on this topic at: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/em/CitandID/data.htm
More RECENT CHANGES TO THE MEDICAID HANDBOOK (doc).
Training and Educational Opportunities:
Boundaries and Sensibility: Ethical Considerations for the Placement Professional
Wednesday December 5, 2007
TeleSeminar
Pathfinder Associates is very pleased to work with the Job Placement Division (JPD) of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA) to offer a new TeleSeminar which explores common ethical concerns faced by rehabilitation professionals as they assist persons with disabilities find, secure and maintain employment. We hope that you will participate in this thought-provoking TeleSeminar on common boundary issues and ethical considerations that placement professionals face everyday.
http://www.pathfinderassociates.net/services_trg_teleseminars_07-1205_reg.htm
2007 Money Smart Events
Money Smart Week Wisconsin is an ongoing social awareness campaign and the first statewide event of its kind in the country. The campaign's goal is to help families, students, homeowners, businesspersons, employees and other community members expand their opportunities by improving their financial literacy. Most events are free and promotion of products, services or sales pitches at events is prohibited.
Find an event in your area: http://www.moneysmartwi.org/events/
Medicare Part D Training: The Basics and What to Expect for 2008
Help beneficiaries and new enrollees make informed choices in 2008 by signing up for this Medicare Part D Training today!
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries have coverage through Part D, and the open enrollment period is coming up. Due to the complex nature of this program, it is important to continue to work with beneficiaries on a local level so that they can make informed choices about the plans that will best meet their needs in 2008. Be aware that the Medicare Part D plans available in Wisconsin change from year to year. This training will help you identify what to look for as we move into a new plan year.
Presented by Aimee Nash, this training will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Medicare Part D
- What Medicare Part D plans cover (formularies and exceptions requests)
- 2008 changes to plans (premiums, formularies and co-pays)
- Enrollment and costs for people who have Medicare-only (and not Medicaid)
- Enrollment and costs for people who have Medicaid
- and more!
Aimee Nash is a staff attorney with Disability Rights Wisconsin's Benefits Team, where she specializes in matters related to Medicare Part D. Aimee is the primary staff person for DRW's "Disability Drug Benefit Helpline," a helpline for people with disabilities who have questions about the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
The training is being offered at several locations around the state and the Madison training will also be available via live webcast:
- November 6 — Milwaukee
- November 8 — Stevens Point
- November 16 — Madison (also available by webcast)
For more information or to register, go to the following weblink: http://www.eri-wi.org/Events/2007/MedicarePartD.htm. Please share this information along to everyone who may be interested in attending the training.
ADRC I & A Specialists Medicaid Training
Information & Assistance (I&A) Specialists have an important role in supporting adults with disabilities and older adults to obtain publicly funded long-term care services. I&A Specialists need to have up-to-date knowledge of Medicaid eligibility requirements and factors that impact eligibility. This training is designed especially for Information & Assistance Specialists working in ADRCs where managed care expansion is anticipated and in counties where applications for ADRC implementation have been submitted.
Please note we intend to repeat this training in 2008 in different areas of the state. This training is jointly sponsored by the Office for Resource Center Development, DHFS and the Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network. Get more information or register for this event.
Training is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with Registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Training Location:
November 14 in Menominee
Stout University
Memorial Student Center
302 10th Avenue
Menomonie, WI 54757
Northwoods Room
Phone: 715/232-2320
Directions online: http://www.uwstout.edu/studentcenter/reservations/location.html
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:
- Create and maintain strong and equal linkages between the disability community and transportation industry
- Commit at the highest levels of your organizations to work on transportation solutions
- Learn answers and ideas from colleagues working in communities like yours
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.
More Training Calendars:
Check out the following training calendars for more upcoming events:
- ERI Calendar of Events or Training Opportunities
- Worksource Wisconsin Training Calendar
- Cornell University's Online Disability Related Training Calendar
| Back to Top |
| Name | Job Title | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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