SSDI ‘1 FOR 2’ PROJECT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. What is the SSDI ‘1 for 2’ Project?
2. Why is the Social Security Administration doing this project?
3. What is the dollar amount of substantial gainful activity (SGA)?
4. Why should I enroll in this project?
5. Can you help me find a job?
6. How did you decide who to contact regarding this project?
7. Is this different than the Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) program?
8. Why are some people being assigned to a current rules group and some to a pilot rules group?
9. When will I know what group I am assigned to?
10. What will happen if I am assigned to the Current Rules Group?
11. What will happen if I am assigned to the Pilot Rules Group?
12. How long will I be eligible for the Pilot Rules?
13. What impact will the Pilot rules have on my Medicare benefits?
14. If I am assigned to the Pilot Rules group, what will happen when my 72 month extended period of eligibility expires?
15. What if I decide I don’t want to be enrolled in the project after all?
16. I want to learn more about this project, what should I do?
Questions and Answers
1. What is the SSDI ‘1 for 2’ Project?
The Utah SSDI ‘1 for 2’ Project is a Social Security Administration (SSA) project. This project will test what would be a major change in Social Security program rules. Rules that may discourage people from going to work will be changed. This project will then look at how the changes affect the willingness of individuals receiving SSDI benefits to seek employment and/or increase their earnings. The goal is to enroll 500 individuals in Utah that receive SSDI benefits only.
2. Why is the Social Security Administration doing this project?
Right now, people may lose all of their SSDI benefits if they earn more than substantial gainful activity (SGA) over an extended period. Social Security wants to find out how to change their rules so that people are not hurt by working. They also want to know what makes people more willing to go to work. This project is studying what happens if rules that discourage people from going to work are modified.
3. What is the dollar amount of substantial gainful activity (SGA)?
For 2007, SGA is $900 a month or $1500 if you are blind.
4. Why should I enroll in this project?
Your participation in this project is important for several reasons:
- By participating in this pilot project you will be help determine if SSA rules should be changed that discourage SSDI recipients from working.
- You will receive benefits planning assistance that will help you understand the impact of increasing your income on your Social Security benefits and other benefits you may receive.
- Finally, by enrolling in this project you may be randomly assigned
to the Pilot Rules Group. This group will be eligible for:
- o A benefit offset for work earnings above substantial gainful activity; and
- o A Protection from medical continuing disability reviews (CDRs).
5. Can you help me find a job?
We are not an employment agency. So we can not help you find a job. We will, though, encourage you to obtain a written benefits analysis. As part of this analysis, you may be referred to other agencies that can assist you.
6. How did you decide who to contact regarding this project?
We are contacting individuals who receive SSDI only and have received services from at least one of the target programs. These programs are: Vocational Rehabilitation, Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach, Disability Medicaid, Valley Mental Health and Bear River Mental Health. Individuals who have already received services are eligible. Clients who started receiving services after March 31, 2005 are not eligible.
In some cases, individuals who are not actually eligible were contacted because they could not be screened out. If you are not eligible and were contacted in error, we apologize for any inconvenience to you.
7. Is this different than the Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) program?
Yes, it is. This program will assign people to either a Current Rules Group or a Pilot Rules Group. For individuals that are assigned to the Current Rules Group, nothing will change. They will be encouraged to meet with a Benefits Specialist so they can learn more about the impact of work on their benefits. Individuals assigned to the ‘1 for 2’ will be able to earn more without losing their cash benefits. These people will also be encouraged to obtain a written analysis of the impact of employment on their benefits.
8. Why are some people being assigned to a current rules group and some to a pilot rules group?
The U.S. Congress required that the project have an “experimental” design. This means that half of the enrollees will be assigned to a group which will keep their existing SSDI benefits. They will not be negatively impacted in any way. The other half will be eligible for the ‘1 for 2’ policies. Everyone that participates in the program will be offered and encouraged to take advantage of Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach services
9. When will I know what group I am assigned to?
Once you are determined eligible for the project, you will be randomly assigned. When you are assigned, you will be notified by telephone and in writing. The notification will let you know what the next steps are for your involvement in the project.
10. What will happen if I am assigned to the Current Rules Group?
You will remain under current SSDI rules. Nothing will change. You will be encouraged to obtain a full written analysis. Also, you will be surveyed twice. One survey will be by mail and one by telephone.
11. What will happen if I am assigned to the Pilot Rules Group?
The Pilot Rules Group will be administered under a new set of rules that encourage people to increase their income. The "1 for 2" policy changes will include:
- A doubling of the extended period of eligibility (EPE) from the 36 months to the 72 months following the completion of the trial work period.
- After completion of the trial work period and grace period, for every $2 an individual earns over substantial gainful activity (SGA) there will be only a $1 reduction in their benefits. In 2007, SGA is $900 a month or $1500 if you are blind.
- Suspension of Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) prior to and during the 72 months after the end of the Trial Work Period.
- Dependent benefits will not be reduced based on your performance of SGA while the benefit offset is in place.
12. How long will I be eligible for the Pilot Rules?
The length of time the pilot rules will apply to you depends upon your unique situation. Once you are enrolled in the project and assigned to a group, you will meet with a Benefits Specialist who will conduct a benefits analysis of your unique case. This analysis will provide details on how increasing your income would impact your benefits. They will also let you know how long you will be eligible for the Pilot Rules – in short, through the 72nd month after the end of your Trial Work Period.
13. What impact will the Pilot rules have on my Medicare benefits?
The Pilot will not impact your eligibility for Medicare. The process to determine whether you are eligible for Medicare will remain the same. At a minimum you will be entitled to 93 months of Medicare once your trial work period is over.
14. If I am assigned to the Pilot Rules group, what will happen when my 72 month extended period of eligibility expires?
When your 72-month extended period of eligibility is over, your case will once again be administered under current SSDI rules. So at that time, if you are earning more than Substantial Gainful Activity your cash benefits will be terminated. If at 72 months you are earning less than SGA, you will continue to receive cash benefits until you earn over SGA. The dollar amount of SGA changes each year.
15. What if I decide I don’t want to be enrolled in the project after all?
If you enroll in the project, you may withdraw at any time. If you enroll and then decide that you do not want to participate, you can complete a withdrawal form. To obtain the form, either download the pdf file or contact the project at 1-877-246-9675.
16. I want to learn more about this project, what should I do?
If you are interested in learning more, contact the SSDI ‘1 for 2’ Project at 1-877-246-9675.