I.
Federal Laws and Initiatives
A.
Summary of SSDI, SSI, Medicare & Medicaid Eligibility Policies
Related to Disability and
Employment:
To
become eligible for SSDI or SSI benefits on the basis of disability
individuals must prove a combination of significant physical or mental
impairments and inability to work. Most
of these persons are also eligible for health benefits from the Medicare
or Medicaid programs related to their eligibility for SSDI or
SSI. The
interrelated eligibility policies for these programs related to employment
have included some work incentives but also many policies which, if
an individual works, threatens their eligibility for income assistance
or medical benefits.
As
efforts are made to develop new State policies to reduce work disincentives,
it is necessary to understand the basic provisions in the Federal
SSDI, SSI, and Medicare programs and the eligibility options available
to each State under the Federal - State Medicaid program related to
employment. Decisions related to the development of new State Medicaid
policies and related employment initiatives, including Medicaid Buy
In programs, which are intended to reduce work disincentives, must
be considered in the context of the broader set of current Federal
policies and each State's current Medicaid policies.
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B. Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999:
Under
the recently enacted Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-170), new work incentive options are available
to states including Medicaid Buy In programs for working persons with
disabilities. These new options have the potential to significantly
further reduce work disincentives for persons with disabilities who
risk loss of health and income assistance benefits if they work. Policy
Briefs are provided which contain comprehensive reviews of the work
incentive provisions under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999.
Proposed Regulations Implementing the Ticket to
Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Vol.
3, No. 1, February 2001, 12pp. Online version only) This policy brief
describes the major provisions in the proposed regulation implementing
the new Ticket to Work program, and provides a resource for stakeholders
interested in identifying policy issues that require modification
or additional clarification in the final regulations. The Social
Security Administration must receive comments on the proposed regulations
no later than Feb. 26, 2001.
text
version (Policy Brief #6, Feb. '01)
pdf version (Policy Brief #6, Feb. '01)
Improvements to the SSDI
and SSI Work Incentives and Expanded Availability of Health Care Services
to Workers with Disabilities under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999
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The
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Established Under the
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
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C. Workforce Investment Act of
1998:
The
overall goal of the recently enacted Workforce Investment Act is to
streamline and expand access to numerous workforce investment, educational,
and other human resource services and programs for job seekers, including
persons with disabilities, and employers. Rather than requiring individuals
and employers to seek information and services at several different
locations, WIA requires states and communities to create a user-friendly
One-Stop system through the coordination at the "street level"
of multiple programs and resources. The One-Stop service delivery
system must be designed to address the needs of all individuals, including
individuals with disabilities. Policy briefs and descriptions of WIA
from a disability policy perspective are provided.
A
Description Of The Workforce Investment Act from
a Disability Policy Perspective, Title of Paper and Table of Contents
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A
Description of the Workforce Investment Act from
a Disability Policy Perspective Text of Paper
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Provisions
in the Workforce Investment Act Relating to Nondiscrimination on the
Basis of Disability and the Development by the Governor of a Written
Methods of Administration
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Provisions
in the Workforce Investment Act Describing the Interplay between Workforce
Investment Systems and Vocational Rehabilitation programs
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