Social Security Benefits and Working – Myths & Facts

Posted By PVA Admin on April 6, 2018
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Are you worried about what happens to your benefits if you find a job?Joan2

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), knowing the facts about work incentives and employment support allows you to remain in control of your finances and health care during your transition to work and financial independence.

*Pictured to the right – Joan Haskins, M.A., CRC, PAVE rehabilitation counselor

The Myths

  • If I go to work, I’ll lose my cash benefits
  • If I go to work, I’ll lose my Medicare
  • If I go to work and have to stop because of my disability, I won’t be able to get back on benefits

The Facts

  • There are employment supports in place to ensure you don’t lose cash benefits prematurely
  • There are Medicare programs designed specifically for people with disabilities who work
  • If you have to stop working because of your disability, you can reinstate your benefits without a new application

Did you know?

You can be connected to free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you or to help you prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working.

If you choose to take part, you will receive services like career counseling and vocational rehabilitation which might include training coordinated with the help of service providers known as Employment Networks (EN) or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency.

Paralyzed Veterans of America’s PAVE program is an EN with its team of rehabilitation counselors!

Who Qualifies?

Everyone age 18-64 who receives SSI or SSDI or both is qualified and participation is free and voluntary. When you participate in the Ticket program, you are working with the EN or VR to reduce or eliminate your dependence on SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits.

Rewards include:

*Receiving counseling and/or education you need to succeed at work and a career.

*Becoming and staying employed.

*Earning your way off cash benefits, if possible.

Paving Access for Veterans Employment (PAVE) provides vocational counseling and job placement assistance to any veteran, active duty service member, spouse or caregiver across the country. Our unique, no-cost program offers assistance with a variety of customized job search strategies that position our clients for success. Through the generous support of both private and public partnerships, the PAVE program strives to place at least one client every day.

Please visit pva.org/pave for a listing of PAVE national offices and rehabilitation counselors trained to answer veterans’ employment questions.

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