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DISABILITY, BENEFITS AND WORK
USING DB101 AS A PLANNING TOOL
Alex Ghenis, Policy & Research Specialist
Interactive information services on disability benefits and related - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Interactive information services on disability benefits and related - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
D ISABILITY , BENEFITS A ND W ORK U SING DB101 A S A P LANNING T OOL Alex Ghenis, Policy & Research Specialist Interactive information services on disability benefits and related work rules Decision support tools when entering the workforce
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COMPRE
REHENSI SIVE INFORM ORMATION ON
Disability Benefits 101: a one-stop resource with information and tools
- n government benefits programs
and ways to earn and save while on benefits.
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BENEFITS
FITS PLANNING NNING OBJECTIVES
Accessible, real time information:
the right information in the right hands at the right time
Jobs don’t wait around. Timely planning is critical.
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WEB
EBSITE ITE DES ESIGN AND INTENT
Tools designed with state and local partners serve a range of
statewide users.
Breadth and depth: measured, uniform levels of information
across many areas engage wide range of stakeholders
The Basics and The Details: plain language text in consistent
“registers” to explain legal information
Net result can be “light bulb moments” ~ Job planning using
calculator tools can create “aha!” moments.
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DB1 DB101 BEN
ENEF EFIT ITS PLANNI NNING NG
FEA
EATURES ES
Users can log on to save their benefits situations & work goals Safe and secure: no private identifying information requested “Calculators” integrated with nearby DB101 articles Focus on benefit program interactions with life situations Capacity for multi-lingual services Commitment to continuous improvement of services Screen reader accessible by design
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CO N S U M
U M E R S A N D N D
CO U N S E L O
L O R S
Consumers and family members can use DB101 on their own. In many situations, they will come to “my set of questions” and seek available, local counseling. Counselor use of online tools in everyday business increases the quality and availability of services:
- Complex state, federal and private benefit program rules and
interactions can be an uncertain topic area for counselors
- DB101 can elevate the script, reduce individual counselor
bias when applied across program and partner services
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EASY-TO-NAVIG
IGATE
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LO A D
A D S O F O F
IN F O R
O R M A T IO N O N
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LOADS
DS OF OF INFORMA RMATIO ION
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SSI: Section 4 of 9
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CLEARLY
LY EXPLAIN AINS DIFFE FFERENT
PROGRAM
AM RULES ES
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
$771 fed rate + state extra: $931.72 in CA, $988.23 if blind $1 reduction for every $2 earned (with $85 “disregard”) $2000 asset limit ($3000 for a couple) ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts, etc. for asset limits
Medi-Cal
State healthcare for low income & disabled individuals $2000 asset & income limits ($16,753/year, single person) Work programs include 250% Working Disabled Program,
1619(b), and more.
ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts, etc. for asset limits
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CLEARLY
LY EXPLAIN AINS DIFFE FFERENT
PROGRAM
AM RULES ES
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WO R K IN C E N
E N T IV E S E S GA L O L O R E !
Work Incentives: programs which enable individuals to work and save while maintaining benefits. For example… Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program
Earn up to $61,740/year while keeping Medi-Cal & In-
Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Small monthly co-pay, on a sliding scale
ABLE Accounts
Acquired disability before age 26 Save $100,000 & keep SSI, $300,000+ for Medi-Cal
PASS Plans
Build up savings toward targeted, work-related goals
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MAXIMI
MIZING WORK ORK INCENTIV TIVES ES
DB 101 Provides information & strategies to maximize income potential, benefits and work incentives. For example… “Countable income” is often used to determine eligibility, SSI/SSDI adjustments & Medi-Cal WDP co-pay
Countable income = Earned income – IRWEs – BWEs Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
DB101 includes definition and an IRWE mini-calculator
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CALCULA
LATORS TORS!
1 3 2 4
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Mini-Calculators located throughout the website make an “interactive” experience and allow users to understand their current and future situations, looking at work and income.
SSI and work Medi-Cal Working Disabled program copay Countable income & countable earnings for SSI,
SSDI, Medi-Cal and more
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MIN
INI-CALC LCULA LATORS TORS
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SSI SSI M MIN
INI-CALCULA LATOR TOR
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SSI SSI M MIN
INI-CALCULA LATOR TOR
“Impairment-Related Work Expenses”???
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SSI SSI M MIN I-CA L
A L C U L A T A T O R
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BENEFITS
FITS & W
& WORK
ORK CALCULATOR
Consumers can lay out their current benefits, income & expenses – then create a plan for success!
Enter current situation: benefits, income, general living expenses
and disability–related expenses
Creating a plan: hourly & monthly pay, and work goals Enter other vital information: potential impairment-related work
expenses (IRWE), blind work expenses (BWE), etc.
Links to info, counseling/government resources & mini-calculators Calculator provides an outlook of future earnings, work incentives
& benefits: now, 6 months out and 2 years out
Can create a username and save info & plans for later. Easy-to-understand information through the process!
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Current Status
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Your Plan
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“Help Me Calculate This”
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Job & Income Details
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Results!
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Disability Benefits 101: a one-stop resource with information and tools
- n government benefits programs
and ways to earn and save while on benefits.
http://www.db101.org
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Q & A
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