Jack Huber attended an “Employment and Benefits” training presented by Mike Walling in April of 2007 looking for assistance with his medical and financial situation. According to Jack, this is one of the best and most important decisions he has ever made. Prior to attending this workshop, he enjoyed working in the medical field as paramedic and being a first responder until his disability became more intense and started interfering with his ability to perform the basic requirements of the job. He has post thrombotic syndrome with chronic leg adema, which causes blood clots in the arteries of his legs and can result in a lot of discomfort and pain and can lead to permanent damage to legs and other organs in the body if not treated properly.

Due to the complexity of the disability, Jack considered it necessary to stop working. To be able to pay bills and get medical attention, he applied for disability benefits. He started receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at first and, along with Medicaid, was able to start getting the medical attention that he desperately needed. Shortly thereafter, he was determined eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Medicare. He was no longer eligible for the SSI program and Medicaid because the unearned income from his SSDI benefit payment was higher than the Federal Benefit Rate. This caused a major problem because the Medicare insurance program would not start for 24 months and would not cover all the medical expenses that his disability required when coverage did start. In addition to the health insurance problem, he did not see an avenue in which to advance his
employment options.

Unemployment and receiving benefits was new to Jack and a path he did not feel comfortable living with. He knew that physically he needed medical attention and to maintain good mental health he would need to find resources and supports to get back into the employment arena and to get his life moving in a positive direction again. With this in mind, he began to look for the help he needed. He decided to attend the “Employment and Benefits” training offered by the Freedom to Work Project, where he might find the information and resources he was seeking.

Attending the “Employment and Benefits” training was easy, speaking up and explaining his situation in front of the other participants was difficult, but Jack did it and found that he did have options.

The option he chose was one of Social Security Administration’s (SSA) work incentives, Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS). Jack chose this option because he could use his own money to achieve self-support and while doing so, he would be eligible for Medicaid again and have the resources he needed to take care of his physical health.

With the information he received from the training and the support of the Freedom to Work Project staff, Jack found the resources he needed to start putting his PASS together. He did much of the work on his own, but found the Benefits Specialist and VR counselor in Aberdeen to be very useful, helping him with additional resources, financial assistance and guidance. He also felt confident in working with the SSA staff, who also provided guidance and assisted him through the process.

Jack’s occupational objective was to obtain a job in nursing administration. To do this, he would have to return to college and get a degree in Nursing Administration. With a background in the medical field and great attitude about returning to work, this occupational
objective is achievable and one that could be supported by SSA and his VR counselor. Jack put together a PASS in writing and submitted it to SSA. Jack’s PASS included the following:

• The steps he planned to take to reach his occupational objective (Nursing Administration).
• The items (tuition, books, food, clothing, transportation, etc.) he needed to obtain his goal.
• The services and supports he would utilize (i.e. vocational rehabilitation services and benefits counseling).
• A time line or schedule of the dates that he would start his plan and reach his occupational goal.
• Source of income that he planned to set aside for the PASS (SSDI payment).
• A purchasing plan that would follow the steps to achieve his goal and how the money set aside would assist in this effort.
• Financial assistance that he would receive from other sources (vocational rehabilitation).
• Where the funds for the PASS would be accumulated.
• How the funds would be accounted for.

Jack is currently in his second year of nursing school and although the funds are tight, he is working hard to achieve his goal. He is using his unearned income (SSDI cash payment) to fund his PASS expenses so he can attend college. By doing this, he is also making himself eligible for SSI cash payments and Medicaid to pay for everyday expenses and to compensate for medical treatments. He is well on his way to achieving self-support!