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New Product Review - p. 6 Book Review -p.3
"Any idiot can face a crisisIt is this day-to-day that wears you out. " Anton Chekhov
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Social Security Administration Changes The Rules by Tom Emmons, DisAbility Works
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issues have arisen and changes have occurred in Social Security's Plan for Achieving SelfSupport(PASS)program.
Manual System (POMS) guidelines were released in mid-April 1996. These contain dramatic changes in the
item so they have no installment payments.
mean PASSes can't be approved. This does mean the
rent PASS plans must meet the new standards.
cialists".
d) A PASS plan for a business
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f) PASS development fees
ACCESS PRESS explores Metro area greenspaces. See page 6. I
Wellstone Fights For Mental Illness Rimefits
using the program. "This decision was made in response to the General Accounting Officels(GAO)criticismthat Social Security Administration (SSA) staff who currently make PASS decisions have not been properly trained to perform that function." - SSA memo 311 1/96.
2) All the current confusion and lack of information is strictly by decision of SSA. The only recent change by we cover any other illness," Congress was taking the time The U.S. Senatehas approved other health care services. bipartisan legislation (vote 68he said. limits offPASS plans in 1995. 30) sponsored by U.S. Sena- "For far too long, mental SSA is still directed to liberaltors Paul Wellstone (D, MN) health illnesses have been put The Wellstone/Domenici ly construe Plans for Achievand Pete Domenici (R, NM) in parentheses - we didn't legislation is part of the ing Self Support to provide to guarantee parity in insur- want to talk about them and KassebaumKennedybiparti- every opportunity to the blind ance coverage for mental ill- we didn't want to take them san health insurance reform and disabled toreturn togainness. seriously. The stigmaofmen- bill -which Sen. Wellstone ful employment. tal illness has kept many in strongly supports. At its core The Wellstone/Domenici leg- need from asking for help, is a guarantee that workers 3) No person using a PASS; islation requires that health and has prevented policy- who have been covered by no Social Security Disability plans provide coverage for makers from providing it," health insurance continue to Income (SSDI) beneficiary, mental health services the said Sen. Wellstone. have access to it if they no Supplement Security Insame way they cover other change or lose theirjobs, or if come (SSI) recipient and no physical illnesses. Plans will "Mental illness is a problem they have pre-existing condi- community support program be prohibited from requiring affecting all sectors of Amer- tions. has received any oficial noco-pays or deductibles for ican society. It shows up in tice from SSA of the changes mental health benefits, estab- both rural and urban areas. "I am thrilled that the intheprogramthoughpeople lishing lifetime limits formen- Treatment not only saves Domenici/Wellstone amend- will' be held accountable for tal health benefits, and estab- lives; it also saves dollars. It ment was passed by such a complyingwith the new rules. lishing visit limitations for is only old data and old ideas wide margin in the Senate. Ask your Congressperson mental health services unless that keeps us from covering The 68-30 vote showed over- why. fie same restrictions ~ D D W mental health the same way Benefits - cont. on p. 5
meet the individual's needs or else anon-entry level position would be appropriate. A PASS can be for an entry level position in a professional, business, or trade environment. In most cases, persons with college degrees or vocationaVtechnical training will be considered to have the capacity to obtain such a position without the assistance of a PASS.
indicating the steps the individual will take to reach their occupational objective, and suitable to be used as a measure of progress, must be included with the PASS.
evaluation are to be considered feasible. i) A person's Occupational Objective, developed in conjunction with a qualified rehabilitation professiona1,'isto be considered feasible.
b) No item being paid for before the PASS may be included in the PASS. For example, car payments existing j) A person can have more before the PASS could not be than one PASS plan. included. k) A person working 20 hours c) PASS Plans are for start- a week can have a PASS to get up costs necessary for a per- a job for 30 hours a week. son to begin working or to begin their business. This 1) A person working 20 hours can still mean schoolingcosts a week with 20 hours a month or initial inventory. Howev- of support (Supported Emer, installment payments (e.g. ployment) can have a PASS car payments, loans for busi- to work 20 hours a week with ness) are no longer allowed. 10 hours a month of support. A person can save up for a down payment for a needed m) The PASS must state how item with the intention that much the person is making the subsequent installment now and how much they plan payments would then be made on making after the PASS. without a PASS. If neces- They must show they will have sary, a person can use a PASS enough money to meet their to save for a down payment PASS - cont. on p. 5
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