Community Assistance

SSI Help

Denied SSI/SSDI?
Advocates for the Disabled Can Help Advocates for the Disabled is a statewide agency that provides assistance to those who have been denied or terminated from disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) by Social Security.

Services include gathering medical documentation, purchasing additional evaluations should an individual have little or no documented treatment history, communicating with Social Security and Disability Determination Services (DDS), and providing information for obtaining legal representation (as needed).

Because there are so many changes taking place as an individual copes with the impact of his or her disability, and because the wait during the disability determination process is often lengthy, the agency provides case management and referrals to community services, such as ABIL. There is a small emergency food pantry with non-perishables available to Agency clients. 'Advocates' offers Representative Payee Services for those who are mandated to have their funds managed. Above all, there is no charge for services (with the exception of the Representative Payee Program, whose fee is $28 per month, as established by the Social Security Administration).

To request Advocates services, call the main office number 602-212-2600.  There is no need for a referral, but it is necessary to have either an active application filed for Social Security Disability benefits (or to be in the process of applying) or a notice from Social Security stating that benefits are being terminated. 'Advocates' Intake Specialist will ask some basic questions, and the information will then be reviewed by the agency Director.

If Advocates is not the appropriate agency for services, a letter will be sent with referrals to other agencies. Otherwise the information will be given to a social worker for follow-up. Once assigned, an introductory letter will be sent from the social worker. It is strongly advised that contact be made with the social worker as soon as possible, since there is long waiting list. The social worker will continue to work with the individual throughout the disability determination process, and help make sure everything is in order once benefits begin. For some individuals receiving benefits there may be a time in the future when he or she is ready, willing and able to return to some form of employment. With that in mind, before a file is closed, a list of referrals to work incentive programs or vocational rehabilitation / retraining programs is provided for future reference.

One of the other programs at Advocates is community education and outreach. The agency provides speakers and informational materials to educate the community about Advocates services and the Social Security Disability process. Deb Chadwick will be giving a presentation and answering questions at ABIL on August 1st from 1-3 p.m. Please join us! Call David, 602-296-0523.

Social Security Work
Incentives Q & A

Q:I receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). I want to work, but I am afraid that my job won't work out or my disability will get worse.  Are there any work incentives that can help take away these fears?

A:Yes, the Trial Work Period (TWP) is an SSDI work incentive that allows beneficiaries to work and earn money while still receiving an SSDI check for 9 months. You can make as much money from work as you want during the TWP.  A trial work month is counted when you make more than $530. (If you are earning less than $530, you are not using your TWP). Trial work months do not have to be used together. For example, if you work for 3 months and then your job does not work out, you still have 6 trial work months that can be used within the next 60 months. It is your responsibility to report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) when you begin and end your TWP. Be sure to track your trial work months.

ABIL has three Work Incentives Specialists here to assist you with your Social Security Work incentives questions. We can assess your situation and help YOU determine which work incentives YOU want to use. Call today for more information to Vance Foy, 296-0538, Mary Hartle-Smith, 296-0526 or Nicole Jeffords, 296-0509

Above information courtesy of ABIL.
To subscribe click here.

Your Ticket to Work

What is the Ticket Program?

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is the centerpiece of new legislation signed by Former President Clinton on December 17, 1999 under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. It is a nationwide initiative designed to bring major positive change to the lives of individuals with disabilities.

This comprehensive national initiative is also designed to assist people with the training and support they need to go to work by increasing their choices. SSA beneficiaries with disabilities can find employment, vocational rehabilitation (VR) and other support services from public and private providers.

SSA will begin the Program in early 2002 by mailing Tickets (click here to see an image of a Ticket) to eligible beneficiaries in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Under the Program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide disability beneficiaries with a Ticket they may use to obtain the services they need from an Employment Network (EN) of their choice.

Second phase states (also in 2002) include: CT, NH, NJ, DC, VA, GA, KY, MS, TN, IN, MI, AR, LA, NM, KS, MO, MT, ND, SD, NV, and AK. The remaining states will roll out in 2003 and include: ME, RI, MD, PA, WV, AL, NC, MN, OH, TX, NE, UT, WY, ID, WA, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is., American Samoa, CA, Guam, HI, and Northern Mariana Islands.

Day to day administration of the Ticket Program is the responsibility of the Program Manager (PM). SSA has contracted with MAXIMUS to perform this role.Beneficiaries can deposit their ticket at Vocational Rehabilitation or at an approved Employment Network.

How Does the Program Work?

Beginning in 2001 and extending through the life of the program, SSA will be contracting with service providers to become Employment Networks (ENs).

SSA has overall Program authority for the Ticket to Work Program. SSA will determine the sequence and timing of the implementation of the Ticket Program in each State, determine beneficiary eligibility, schedule the mailing of Tickets to eligible beneficiaries, approve all EN contracts, and make payments to ENs for services provided to Ticket-holders.

The Ticket Program is voluntary. Beneficiaries receiving Tickets will have the option of contacting one or more ENs to discuss services and going to work. The EN and the beneficiary will work together to design an Individual Work Plan (IWP) that will outline the services to be provided to enable the beneficiary to reach his or her employment goal.