Pathways: Social Security Disability Insurance Employment Pilot (SSDI-EP) 

Note: See bottom of page for new updates on the SSDI-Employment Pilot

Are You a Person with a Disability Who Wants to Work and Earn More Money?

The Wisconsin Social Security Disability Insurance Employment Pilot (SSDI-EP)  addresses one of the paramount policy barriers affecting individuals with disabilities interested in pursuing economic self-support through employment.  

Currently, SSDI beneficiaries who want to test their ability to work and earn at higher levels are often prohibited from doing so by the all or nothing “cash cliff” imposed through existing policy.  This pilot directly eliminates the current “cash cliff” by allowing SSDI beneficiaries to work and earn above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) ($900/month in 2007).

Rather than an immediate end to the benefit, participants will experience a gradual decline in their SSDI cash payment as their earnings increase.  For every $2.00 earned above SGA, participants will experience a $1.00 decrease in their SSDI payment rather than losing their entire cash benefit.  This is critical for individuals with disabilities who want to work more but cannot afford to immediately lose their entire cash benefit.

Want to learn more?

1. How do I get into the study?
Enrollment ended as of October 31st, 2006. Call us at 1-866-278-6440 if you have any questions.

2. How do I know if I’m eligible?
People who receive only Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on his/her own record and are between the ages of 18–64 are eligible to enroll.

3. What do I get if I participate?
If you enroll you will be placed in one of two groups. One group will receive a “cash benefit offset” in addition to being eligible to receive benefits counseling and employment service coordination.  The other group will have access only to benefits counseling and employment service coordination.

4. What is a “benefit offset”?
The “benefit offset” allows you to keep part of your Social Security payment when you work and increase your earnings instead of having to choose an all or nothing cash benefit.

5. How long does the study last?
You can enroll between August 1, 2005 and October 31, 2006. Access to the “benefit offset” will vary based on individual benefit situations.

Here is an earnings example:
Sam (fictional name) currently works 20 hours a week and earns $8 per hour.  Sam's employer has offered him the opportunity to work 10 additional hours each week.  Sam wants to work and earn more, but he is afraid of losing his SSDI benefit because he is unsure if his earnings are enough to cover all his income needs.

Sam’s situation with current policy:
Sam currently earns $688 a month.  If Sam increases his hours to 30 hours a week, his monthly earnings will be $1,032, well above SGA ($900/month in 2007).  Working and earning more will cause Sam to lose his SSDI cash benefit of $900 a month.  Sam will now be living solely on his earnings of $1,032 a month rather than $1,588 a month (earnings plus SSDI benefit).

Sam’s situation with the SSDI Benefit Offset:
Sam increases his hours at work to 30 hours a week.  His wage remains the same and he earns $1,032 each month.  With the SSDI Benefit Offset, Sam is able to keep part of his SSDI check in addition to his earnings so his total monthly income is $1,831 (earnings plus SSDI benefit minus ½ the difference between his earnings and SGA).

                   20 hrs work,  30 hrs work,  30 hrs work + SSDI Benefit Offset
Earnings           $688              $1,032            $1,032
SSDI Benefit    $900              $0                    $834   
Total Income  $1,588           $1,032            $1,866

List of SSDI Employment Pilot Agencies If you would like more information or would like to enroll in to the SSDI Employment Pilot, please feel free to contact an agency in your area.

Four State Benefit Offset Website The four state benefit offset website provides information on the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Employment Pilot and the four states; Connecticut, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin that  currently operate the pilot. (exit DHFS) 

Wisconsin SSDI Employment Pilot Phase out Plan

Wisconsin Pilot Report Year Three