Have you heard of the PASS?

[The Plain Jane]

Hey TWebbers! I haven't posted since last year! It's been a while; I just haven't had anything I really wanted to discuss.

I'm going back to college in the fall. I will be majoring in Sociology. I was accepted into Fairmont State College earlier this year, and between my grants and the PASS, I will be able to finish my bachelor's without drawing out any more loans.

So what is the PASS, you may ask? Well, as some of you might remember from my behavior in years past, I'm bipolar. And I receive Social Security Disability for it. That makes me eligible for the PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support), which is a Social Security work incentive. Basically, Social Security funds my school out of my disability, and then since all my disability is going into the schooling, I start drawing SSI to live on. So I'm getting twice as much money, but it has to be used for a work goal. And there's strict rules that goes along with that.

The nice thing is, that since I have SSI to live on, I can concentrate solely on my schooling, and not have to work. In fact, my last day of work is Monday; my PASS starts next week. SSI works differently than Social Security Disability. With Disability, I can make up to a certain amount of money, and keep my check. But if I go one penny over, they deduct my whole check for that month. However, I am now drawing SSI, which means that for every two dollars I make, they deduct one dollar from my SSI. Technically, if I keep working I still come out ahead, but my rent (which is based on my income) will still be high and I won't draw any food stamps. So it seems it would be better if I quit working.

Social Security is so complicated! I want to get off Social Security. I don't want to depend on it anymore. In recent years, I've learned more how to control my illness. If I had a good paying job, I could work for as much money as I want and save as much money as I want. And the nice thing is, since I'm legally disabled, I qualify for reasonable insurance, with the same coverage I have now.

I don't mean to unload this on all of you; I'm just so excited. I don't know about other states, but the PASS is available in WV. And the thing is, practically no one knows about it. If you're on disability, you should check with your Social Security office and see what work incentives they have available.

So let me know what you think!

[Bill the Cat]

[The Plain Jane]

Hello!

[Cerebrum123]

Hey TWebbers! I haven't posted since last year! It's been a while; I just haven't had anything I really wanted to discuss.

I'm going back to college in the fall. I will be majoring in Sociology. I was accepted into Fairmont State College earlier this year, and between my grants and the PASS, I will be able to finish my bachelor's without drawing out any more loans.

So what is the PASS, you may ask? Well, as some of you might remember from my behavior in years past, I'm bipolar. And I receive Social Security Disability for it. That makes me eligible for the PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support), which is a Social Security work incentive. Basically, Social Security funds my school out of my disability, and then since all my disability is going into the schooling, I start drawing SSI to live on. So I'm getting twice as much money, but it has to be used for a work goal. And there's strict rules that goes along with that.

The nice thing is, that since I have SSI to live on, I can concentrate solely on my schooling, and not have to work. In fact, my last day of work is Monday; my PASS starts next week. SSI works differently than Social Security Disability. With Disability, I can make up to a certain amount of money, and keep my check. But if I go one penny over, they deduct my whole check for that month. However, I am now drawing SSI, which means that for every two dollars I make, they deduct one dollar from my SSI. Technically, if I keep working I still come out ahead, but my rent (which is based on my income) will still be high and I won't draw any food stamps. So it seems it would be better if I quit working.

Social Security is so complicated! I want to get off Social Security. I don't want to depend on it anymore. In recent years, I've learned more how to control my illness. If I had a good paying job, I could work for as much money as I want and save as much money as I want. And the nice thing is, since I'm legally disabled, I qualify for reasonable insurance, with the same coverage I have now.

I don't mean to unload this on all of you; I'm just so excited. I don't know about other states, but the PASS is available in WV. And the thing is, practically no one knows about it. If you're on disability, you should check with your Social Security office and see what work incentives they have available.

So let me know what you think!

Sounds better than being dependent on the government for the rest of your life. I also am stuck on disability, but AFAIK(due to my illness) there isn't really any work I could do, even if I could do this PASS thing. But I certainly will check it out.

[The Plain Jane]

Sounds better than being dependent on the government for the rest of your life. I also am stuck on disability, but AFAIK(due to my illness) there isn't really any work I could do, even if I could do this PASS thing. But I certainly will check it out.

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that. The point of the PASS is to get you off Social Security, and it must be used for that purpose. Now, if I get my degree and don't find work, I won't lose my disability. I only lose my Social Security when I reach and go beyond what's called SGA (I don't know what that stands for), the limit for which I could make.

Now, Job Squad of Bridgeport WV is how I heard of the PASS. Remember how I told you no one knows about it? I've talked to workers at the Social Security office that didn't know what it was. So, asking people at the office might not get you the answers you need. You have to find an organization that specializes in work incentives for disabled people.

Is it possible you could do a desk job? What kind of illness do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

[Cerebrum123]

I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It involves chronic pain, and since the sympathetic nerves are involved, just about everything is affected, from heartbeat, to memory, to the body's way of adjusting temperature. The most common symptom is constant pain that may or may not spread from the originally affected area(mine has spread to my entire body). Basically, I now have problems with just about everything, and sometimes I am simply not even able to much at all.

[The Plain Jane]

I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It involves chronic pain, and since the sympathetic nerves are involved, just about everything is affected, from heartbeat, to memory, to the body's way of adjusting temperature. The most common symptom is constant pain that may or may not spread from the originally affected area(mine has spread to my entire body). Basically, I now have problems with just about everything, and sometimes I am simply not even able to much at all.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. You can still read the Scriptures, and I imagine that brings you strength. The blessed Christian hope is that one day all suffering will end. You know, with my bipolar, I could have an episode at any time if I'm not careful. Medication, which I take my medication, doesn't do it all. I've had mania while taking my medication. One time, a long time ago, I went off my medication, and was ok for a year and a half. Then one time I missed my medication two days because it wasn't sent to me, and I went manic. Bipolar can be unpredictable, and there's no guarantee I won't fall ill again. I have to daily examine myself, as well as take my medication. But I'd like to think that I've learned my triggers, and that the likelihood of another episode is slim. You weren't around at this time, but I've had an episode right here on TWeb and was banned for five days. Everyone understood when I came back, and all was well, but it's hard sometimes.