| Overview of Social Security Disability Programs
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Overview of Social Security Disability Programs and Work Incentives - slide 16
PASS
Earned Income
Unearned Income
Resources
If individuals have resources that exceed the resource limit for SSI, these resources may be set aside in the PASS as well. Resources can be anything that is owned, including bank accounts, real estate, or personal property. In summary, a PASS can be established by setting aside one or more of the following to achieve a vocational goal: earned income (wages, self-employment, certain sick pay, royalties and or honoraria); unearned income (SSDI or other types of benefits, or other types of monetary support); and/or resources. The PASS enables individuals to recoup some or all of the expenses paid for under the PASS.
In some cases, the extra SSI generated by a PASS will match the amount being spent in a PASS, so that the cost of the PASS is completely covered by the SSI increase. However, each PASS situation must be computed separately to find out. Even when the PASS does not replace the money spent dollar for dollar, there may be other factors, which make a PASS advantageous, such as allowing Medicaid eligibility and the opportunity for people with disabilities to self-direct the vocational rehabilitation process. The long-term benefits of a successful PASS, both financial and personal, may be worth an investment now.