Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives
Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives
When you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you have many work incentives available to support your employment efforts and ensure you don’t lose your benefits prematurely.
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Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives:
When you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you have many work incentives available to support your employment efforts and ensure you don’t lose your benefits prematurely.
What are SSI benefits?
SSI benefits are needs-based benefits for individuals who have limited income and resources and who meet Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) definition of disability, blindness, or age. There are three types of SSI benefits:
- SSI-Disabled
- SSI-Blind
- SSI-Aged
How do SSI work incentives help me?
Your SSI check is reduced when you have other sources of income, such as earnings. SSI work incentives allow SSA to count less of the income you earn so you can maximize your SSI check as you transition to work. These work incentives apply to individuals receiving SSI due to disability or blindness:
| Income Exclusion | Description |
|---|---|
| General and Earned Income Exclusions | SSA counts less than half of what you earn |
| Impairment Related Work Expenses | Exclude the cost of certain items or services you purchase |
| Plan to Achieve Self-Support | Invest in your career! SSA excludes your income or resources used to purchase items and services needed for your work goal under an approved PASS plan |
| Section 1619(b) | Even if your earnings are high enough to cause your SSI check to adjust to $0, it doesn’t mean your SSI is terminated and your Medi-Cal can continue! |
Other Special Income Exclusions
If you are a student under age 22, or if you receive SSI due to blindness, SSA has special income exclusions that may apply specifically to you and be very beneficial.
Expedited Reinstatement
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) is a 5-year period after your SSI terminates due to work and excess earnings. During this time, if you need to stop or reduce work due to your disability within 5 years of when your benefits ended, you may be able to have your SSI benefits start again right away through an EXR request.
You are better off financially when you’re working!
Need help with this information?
DRC WIPA Intake phone number: 888-768-7058
Ticket to Work Helpline: 866-968-7842
This factsheet is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication. We publish this factsheet at U.S. taxpayer expense.