ERI Hosts Visitors from South Korea
On June 27, 2011 Employment Resources, Inc. (ERI) hosted 15 visitors from South Korea. The visitors represented Independent Living Centers in the southern areas of South Korea. They were on an information gathering mission to find out how various independent living services are provided in the U.S. ERI was their first scheduled stop on this trip and they spent the entire day here with two interpreters aiding in communication.
In the morning, Mary Ridgely, former ERI Director and currently an independent consultant, spoke about various employment services and illustrated them with stories. In the afternoon, Rebecca Dowling, ERI's Disability Services Specialist, shared her experiences about accessing services and using technology in the workplace. Phil Goodman, ERI's Technology Consultant, continued on this theme by sharing some of the latest uses of technology in the workplace for people with disabilities.
The visitors reciprocated the information exchange by leaving printed and video materials about South Korea's struggle for disability rights which intensified in the early 2000's. The visit was very much enjoyed by all and we hope to stay in touch with the Korean Independent Living Centers and disability advocates in the future. INC) Gyungnam Council on Center for Independent Living - http://cafe.naver.com/gnccil
2011 Red Books Available
The Social Security Administration has posted the 2011 version of the Red Book, a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs, at http://www.ssa.gov/redbook.
Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND)
Social Security Testing New Ways to Return Workers with Disabilities to the Workforce
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the beginning of the Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) project. BOND is a special project that will test a new way to treat earnings for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. SSA's goal is to find out how disabled beneficiaries respond to rule changes that allow them to keep more of their benefits while trying to return to work.
Under current program rules, individuals who receive SSDI benefits generally lose their entire monthly cash benefit if their earnings exceed the $1000 per month after using up a nine-month trial work period (TWP). SSA pays benefits through the TWP and for an additional three months. If the worker continues to earn over the $1000 monthly limit in gross wages, SSA suspends benefit checks.
The BOND program provides randomly chosen SSDI beneficiaries with a gradual reduction of benefits ($1 for each additional $2 earned over a yearly threshold of $12000)—thus eliminating the "cash cliff" currently in effect. Those eligible for the benefit offset will be able to earn more from work and keep some of their disability benefits. SSA will continue to provide Medicare coverage to BOND participants earning over the limit.
Many SSDI beneficiaries worry about losing their cash benefits if they earn too much money. Congress has asked SSA to test policy changes to encourage workers with disabilities to return to gainful employment. SSA will randomly select SSDI beneficiaries in 10 sites around the country for the BOND project. The test will run from 2011 until September of 2022. Individual participants can only participate in the BOND test for five years.
State BOND offices will work with local agencies to explain BOND. If you are a SSDI beneficiary who receives a BOND notice in a letter or a phone call, be sure to contact BOND. If someone in your family receives a notice or call, encourage that person to respond. You can call toll-free:
More Information:
Visit the BOND Website: http://www.bondssa.org
Voice: 1-877-7BOND09 (1-877-726-6309)
TTY: 1-877-7BOND90 (1-877-726-6390)
Have You Met Ben Spec?
Benjamin R. Spec, a world renowned, international benefits specialist for people with disabilities, combines his love of travel with his passion for benefits counseling. It’s not all champagne, ocean breezes, and jet-setting for Ben! No matter where he lands, Ben’s ready and willing to offer his expertise on how benefits decisions change a person’s life. Ben’s all about living life to the fullest and that’s why he wants to help others live life to the fullest as well.
The WDBN is pleased to have an exclusive partnership with Ben! He has agreed to develop a blog about benefits to make it easier for him to check in with us whenever he finds an internet café. He has left his contact information with the WDBN to use in cases of benefits emergencies and/or questions. Ben is willing to answer your questions anytime. He receives great questions from everywhere and looks forward to hearing from you all! Send your benefits questions: askben@eri-wi.org | Visit Ben's Blog
ERI PLUS Ticket to Work Program
If you are an individual with a disability and have found successful employment or are actively seeking employment on your own, the Ticket to Work program could benefit you.
Put your Ticket to work for you by assigning it to ERI PLUS (Wisconsin residents) or ERI PLUS America (all other states). You will get Ticket Share payments to buy things to help you continue working. Ticket Share payments are direct cash payments to ticket holders (up to 75% of the monthly ticket value or potentially $275+ per payment) to support work related expenses such as car payments, childcare, bus-fare, clothing, technology, etc.
Ticket to Work: Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Social Security's website to find out more information about the Ticket to Work, a program designed to increase the quantity, quality and range of employment services available to SSA beneficiaries with disabilities. More information.
The Social Security Administration recently issued final rules designed to improve the Ticket to Work program. The changes will improve the effectiveness of the Ticket program in assisting beneficiaries with disabilities who want to work.
The new Ticket to Work program rules:
- Include more beneficiaries under the Program--The population of individuals eligible for a Ticket is expanded to include beneficiaries who are expected to medically improve.
- Increase incentive payments for Employment Networks (ENs)--The new rules modify the EN payment systems to create greater financial incentives for service providers to participate, which will improve beneficiary access to services and expand the pool of quality providers available to serve beneficiaries.
- Increase the value of the Ticket--The rules for Ticket assignment are changed to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to take advantage of a more effective combination of services from both State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and ENs.
- Synergize efforts--The new rules promote better alignment of the Ticket to Work Program, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program, the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security Program, and other Social Security work incentive initiatives.
In preparation for the new Ticket to Work program, Social Security is undertaking a major recruitment effort to increase the number of organizations functioning as ENs. Social Security also is initiating targeted outreach to promote the Program to more beneficiaries and to encourage their participation. In addition, Social Security is presenting at national and state conferences and bringing beneficiaries and ENs together at local Work Incentives Seminars (WISE events) throughout the country.
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 established the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program. The purpose of the Ticket to Work program is to expand the universe of service providers available to beneficiaries with disabilities who are seeking vocational rehabilitation, employment and related support services. These service providers are available to assist beneficiaries in obtaining, regaining and maintaining self-supporting employment. Available in all 50 States and the US territories, the Ticket to Work program is an important component in a coordinated series of work incentives and initiatives that are designed to help overcome barriers to employment often experienced by beneficiaries with disabilities.
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