Below you'll find short definitions to a number of programs and concepts that you are likely to encounter during your transition to work. If you find definitions are too brief, try the useful links to learn more.

1619B

Provides for continued Medicaid and SSI eligibility for individuals whose earned incomes are too high to qualify for an SSI cash benefit.

Blind Work Expenses (BWE)

(For SSI only) For a person who has blindness as a disability, Blind Work Expenses are the amount paid out of the individual's own pocket for items and services that are needed to work. SSA does not count these expenses as earned income when calculating the SSI payment amount.

Concurrent Beneficiary

A person who receives both SSDI and SSI benefits. Rules of both programs apply to the individual at the same time.

Continued Payments Under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program "Section 301"

Allows benefit payments to continue when an individual is found medically recovered while in an approved active Vocational Rehabilitation Service plan.

Continuing Disability Review (CDR)

The medical review process used by the Social Security Administration to review a person's SSI/ SSDI case to determine whether or not they still have a disability.

Countable Income

The amount of money left once all earned income and unearned income exclusions and deductions are taken.

Deeming

The process SSA uses to consider some of the income and resources of a parent, spouse, or partner to be income to the individual with a disability when calculating countable income for SSI.

Disability Determination Services (DDS)

The state agency that determines whether or not an individual has a medical disability for SSI or SSDI.

Earned Income

Income earned by working (gross wages or net earnings from self-employment).

Earned Income Exclusion

Excludes $65.00 of earnings in a month, plus one-half of the remainder when calculating countable income for SSI.

Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP)

The Medicaid Purchase Plan offers people with disabilities who are working or interested in working the opportunity to buy health care coverage through the Wisconsin Medicaid Program. Depending on an individual's income, a premium payment may be required for this health care coverage. Learn more

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, allows certain previously entitled individuals to request expedited reinstatement (EXR) of disability benefits under SSDI and SSI when their disabling impairment no longer permits them to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA). EXR is a safety net for individuals who make use of work incentives administered by SSA and who successfully return to work and, consequently, lose entitlement to SSDI or SSI.

Extended Medicare Coverage

Provides Medicare coverage for at least 57 months after the EPE when cash benefits stop due to work.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

A three-year period after the Trial Work Period (TWP), during which an SSDI beneficiary can receive cash benefits when Countable Earned Income drops below SGA.

General Income Exclusion

Excludes $20.00 from unearned income when finding countable income for SSI. If no unearned income is available, the $20.00 is excluded from earned income.

Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)

The amount paid out of an individual's own pocket for disability-related items and services that are needed to work. SSA does not count these expenses as earned income when calculating the SSI payment amount.

In-Kind Support

The amount of unpaid room and/or board given to an individual (not including assistance programs like a housing subsidy or food stamps) that is considered unearned income when finding countable income.

Medicaid

Medical coverage administered by the state for people who have limited or no income.

Medicare

A federal health and medical insurance program for persons who are aged and/or disabled and who are insured under the Social Security program.

Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work

Certain working people may purchase continued Medicare coverage, after the Extended Medicare Coverage ends, as long as they remain medically disabled.

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

Allows an individual to set aside income or resources to reach an occupational goal. The income set aside is not counted as income when figuring an SSI payment amount. The set aside income must be used on the expenses needed to achieve the occupational goal.

Property Essential to Self Support (PESS)

Excludes certain property necessary for self support when applying the SSI resource test.

Reinstatement without New Application

Allows for reinstatement of SSI without a new application for up to 12 months after losing the SSI cash benefit.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

The agency that manages all of the Social Security benefits.

Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)

Excludes more earned income than the basic income exclusions for disabled students under age 22 (when finding countable income for SSI).

Subsidy

The monetary value of extra support, extra supervision and/or lower productivity due to disability. This amount is excluded when finding countable income for SSDI or SSI at eligibility determination.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The performance of significant physical and/or mental activities in work for pay or profit, or in work of a type generally performed for pay or profit, regardless of the legality of the work.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Cash benefit for people with disabilities who have minimal resources and employment history.

Ticket to Work

A voluntary program that is intended to increase options in obtaining employment services for people with disabilities who have a goal of going to work and transitioning out of Social Security cash benefits.

Ticket to Work Continuing Disability Review Protection

SSA will not initiate a continuing disability medical review when an individual has assigned their Ticket to Work and is actively participating in the Ticket to Work program.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

A nine-month period (not necessarily consecutive) where an SSDI beneficiary has the opportunity to test his/her ability to work and hold a job without the threat of loss of benefits. If earnings are more than $590/month in 2005, that work month will be counted as a Trial Work Month..

Unincurred Business Expense

Self-employment, business-related expenses that are paid by others can be subtracted from Net Earnings when determining Countable Earned Income.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Cash benefits for people with disabilities. Eligiblility and benefit amount is based on employment record and payment of U.S. Social Security taxes (FICA).