>> Good afternoon everybody and welcome to today's webinar. We are focusing today on the Ticket to Work for America's Veterans and the free services that are available to those people who have served this great country of ours. I do want to wish everybody a belated Veteran's Day and of course, we have that 236th anniversary of the Marine Corps on the 9th of November, so a big hoorah to all the marines out there. What we are going to do today is chat a bit about Social Security in the return to work. But we do have a couple of polling questions. We'd like to ask you to participate in before we start so we can figure out how you found us. So if you would just respond to these questions. How did you learn about this National WISE event? Just make a selection on your own getting on this stuff real fast. [ Pause ] [ Inaudible Remark ] >> Alright. Thank you for that. We'll close that one out. [ Pause ] [ Inaudible Remark ] >> And now just what do you think we're gonna share you today? What do you hope to learn today? What do you want to learn about? [ Inaudible Remark ] >> Did I not share that one or did I close it already? [ Inaudible Remark ] >> Well, let me try that again. [ Pause ] >> Alright, that one is not working for some reason, so we're gonna skip that one. Alright, let's [inaudible] this one. What is your gender? Just for our information, we'd like to know who's listening to us. Mike, if you can reset that second question for me, that would be great. Mike Ward from Cornell, not the other Mike. [ Pause ] >> Alright. I'll close that one out. [ Pause ] >> And here's another one for you. What is your age? You could pick one of those demographic groups. Well, I like this, the way these are set up. I'm in still a good demographic one. Although getting very close to that last one. [ Laughter ] [ Pause ] >> Okay. Thank you for that. And last but not least, we'd like to know how many people are with you today. How many people are sitting in front of your screen so that we can get a good count to know how many people are really with us? [ Pause ] [ Inaudible Remark ] >> Alright, thank you for that. Let's see if I can get back to that second one. [ Inaudible Remark ] >> No, but I think I missed that one. Alright, that second one is not functioning for a while. Alright, let me take you through the workings of today's webinar so that you'll be able to participate. You've been connected today through the microphone and speakers on your computer system. If at anytime during today's session you feel the need to switch to a telephone, you can open up that audio box by clicking on the plus sign next to the word "audio" and it will open up the box and show you today's dial-in information. It will give you the phone number, the access code and the audio pin for today's call. Just please be aware that if you do decide to make a phone call at maybe a long distance call. In order to get to your questions, I'm gonna take questions at the end. We don't expect that we'll get to everyone's questions because there are a lot of people out there. So, what I would like you to do is click on the plus sign next to the word "questions". It's going to open up this questions box. You'll type your question in, hit the send button, will appear on Jamie's desktop and on my desktop and at the end of the presentations, we will take your questions. And once again, if we do not get to your question, we will give you information as to where you can go to get those questions answered. [ Pause ] >> Alright. Accessibility, we are very, very concerned about our webinars being accessible to the greatest number of people. And so what we would like to know after today's session is whether or not you think we can improve our accessibility and whether or not you have any ideas as to how we might go about doing that. While we need to hear your problems, we would also love to hear your solutions so that if you have any notion or knowledge of programs that we might be able to use or steps we can take to help make this much more available to everybody else, we'd love to hear that from you. Our agenda today, there I am welcoming and introducing everybody. We are honored to have Mrs. Georgia Coffee who's the Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Veterans Affairs Office to speak with us and give us some opening remarks today. Then we'll gonna move to work incentives planning and assistance and Mike Rowe from the Tennessee Disability Coalition is gonna to talk to you about the services that his agency and his agencies like his across the country can offer to you. Mike is gonna talk about that Ticket to Work Program as well as Social Security benefits and work incentives. Jeff Lilley who is the National Director of Back to Work Services is an employment network and he'll be speaking to you about the services that he can provide to you to help you in your efforts to get back to work. We're gonna provide you with lots of resources for Social Security, for services to be matched up with community work incentive coordinators as well as employment networks, State VR and the VA. And we're gonna figure out how you can put together your employment team 'cause those of us who are on the call today and participating really believe an employment team is very often necessary to help get somebody to work. And lastly, we will get to the questions and we're gonna be looking for those questions that pertain to the general group of people and we'll ask those. We will also, again, give you informations to how you can get specific answers to your questions. Now that being said, I am honored and privileged to welcome Ms. Georgia Coffee again from Veterans Affairs. She's the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Welcome, Miss Coffey. >> Thank you. Thank you so much, Ray and I have to tell you what a privilege and honor it is to be addressing all of the Veterans in our audience. You know, anyone who worked for Department of Veterans Affairs, we rarely say happy Veterans Day because it's always Veteran's Day for us and--but we're particularly [inaudible] on the month of November. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your service. I never--it never seized to amaze me the degree of sacrifice that you have made for our country, for me, for my family and I am genuinely appreciative. I hope that VA can help by repaying some of that debt with--through our services. What I wanna do today is talk a little bit about what VA does in terms of reemploying and reintegrating veterans into the workforce. And to that end, we have a very exciting new program that literally just launched this month. I think the official launch date actually was on Veterans Day. And many of you may have heard it already 'cause already it's getting a lot of attention. The program is called VA for vets, serving those who served us. And that's indeed what it is about. Now, understand that ever since--well, ever since VA was created, we naturally have been very interested in providing the skills and services and benefits to veterans so that they can reintegrate back into the workforce, whether it's civilian workforce or federal workforce, federal civilian workforce or even staying in military. >> But we're very excited now because now we have developed a program that is open to the public. This is not just a VA program to get you into our department, which we'd love to have you join the Department of Veterans Affairs. But this is a program that gives you the tools, skills and systems that you need to get back into any workforce. So let me just share a couple of minutes with you about that. One of the most appealing features of this program is that it's in fact a high-tech integrated platform that provides veterans with comprehensive career development services to either launch or advance their civilian careers, again, not just the VA, but in any employment situation. We house this system on the internet website, and I know that website is gonna be provided to you at the end of this webinar. It's basically vaforvets.va.gov and let me make sure, yes, vaforvets.va.gov, and what it does is it allows you to go into the system and choose among probably 8 or so major topic areas, depending on where you are in your employment situation. The first one and one of the most exciting services of this high-tech platform offers is a virtual career center. What it does is it helps returning veterans, veterans who have just came off of active duty, translate their military skill to civilian work occupation. Now this is--this is huge 'cause I'm sure you have found that as you applied for job to the civilian sector, many of you have found that it's tough matching up the skill sets that you had in the military, much less the acronyms and the terminology that is used that's very different in the military than is used in the private or in the federal sector. This career center offers you a tool where you can literally plug in what your position was in the military, what some of the functions you were doing and it translates this into marketable civilian skills. It helps you create an easy to read resume, it allows you to apply to any open position, primarily to VA positions but it also connects with USA jobs. So any federal sector position, you will have a direct link to. And then finally it allows you to save your profile into one document so that you can use it over and over again. Now, that's just to get into the government. Once you have gotten in, we offer through our professional development icon a host of web based and instructor led training that allows you to sharpen your skills and learn more about how you can reintegrate into the workforce. These are at no cost to the participants. Most of them are online and they're very, very highly regarded professional development offering that we've gotten already a lot of good feedback on. The next item is the webinars and the videos, not unlike this webinar that you're participating in right now. Through the VA for Vets Program, we will be offering webinars to learn more about the strengths and skills, that Veterans think--bring to the workforce, as well as how employers can help you integrate back into the workforce. We offer coaching, we offer one on one coaching with both executive coaches and career coaches to help you with your deployment and reintegration issue and answer any questions you may have related to careers, again, both in VA and the federal government at large. And I'll just mention two more before I kind of wind it down. The last two are deployment life cycle resources, which is a resource where you can access vital information to help prepare you and support reintegration into the workforce. And then finally and maybe one of the most--one of the coolest things quiet frankly is the virtual collaboration tool where you can be connected with a coach, a supervisor, an HR professional or even peer Veterans who are in the same situation that you are in. You know, I know as well as anybody how important it is to veterans who are returning to civilian life to connect back with their peers and have a sense of understanding and commonality with other people who are in the same situation they are in. This is a tool that will help bridge those connections, make those connections for you. And do know that when you are dealing with VA in particular, you're dealing with one out of three of us, our Veterans, and we have goals to make that an even higher percentage of [inaudible] workforce. Why? Not only because we think it's the right thing to do and we wanna express our gratitude to you by bringing you into our workforce, but also, we understand that we can't give you competent services, whether it's benefit services, health care services or even cemetery services for your loved ones unless we understand you, and the best way to understand our veterans is to have veterans working in our workforce. So with that, I will sort of wind this down. I don't know if you wanna take questions now or not, I can only stay on about another 5 minutes but allow me to thank you for the opportunity for coming on this webinar. And again, thank you so much to all of our veterans for your very, very important service and for what important diversity you add to our overall workforce? It's a very important aspect to workforce diversity that all too often is overlooked. And make no mistake, VA does not intend to overlook that. Thank you. >> Thank you very much Mrs. Coffee, we appreciate your being with us today. Okay now, before we get into what we're going to be talking about today, my happy little fingers went a little too fast on the last polling question so we haven't reset. And what we like to know is what do you hope to learn from today's webinar? [ Pause ] >> And I hope we're gonna be able to get to all of these stuff. [ Laughter ] [ Pause ] >> Alright, we got a great variety of topics here. Thank you very much for that. Alright, and what we're gonna do today, I think we are gonna get to most of those topics today. What can you expect from us today? Some information on that Ticket to Work Program and the work incentives that are involved with the benefits that you receive, answers to lots of frequently asked questions. Yeah, we're in it. We're talking about an area that is fraught with urban myths and half truths and misunderstanding because we're dealing with incredibly complex programs. So we hope to straighten those up for you. We define more information, we are talking to people all across the country today and we need or you need to know that every state is gonna differ just a little bit, so we're gonna let you know where you can find the information about your very specific needs and the informations that you'll need to succeed in that return to work.. We have a success story from a retired marine named Billy who used his Ticket to Work to get back to work despite his disability. Now, why should you choose work? Those of us who are on today's webinar are in the business of encouraging people to go back to work. There is very much that you folks have to offer. You have a unique set of skills and experience that many of us don't have. Certainly, discipline and team work, which my boss is always getting on my case about, at least the discipline part. I hope I'm a good team player, but you've got that to bring to a work place and that could be a very valuable asset. And courage and resilience and bouncing back from some of the experiences and disabilities can be a very difficult thing, but you're here because that's your goal hopefully. As a veteran, you've got a whole lot to gain from working. Now, clearly financial independence is a big deal and we can pretty much assure you that when you add earned income into the mix of the benefits that you receive now, it will be better. Your finances will improve and you'll gain that independence that comes along with not having to report to this agency and that agency about what you're doing. It will provide you with a successful civilian life, allow you to pay into the Social Security System and begin to prepare for that retirement that we all hope to gain at some point. And new relationships, never let it be said that we work for money. We do work for money most certainly but all of the other good things that we get because of work are so incredibly important. >> The home I live in I have because I work. My two puppies, I have because I work. I got married because I met my spouse at work, so all of those good things come from work. Now, we have Billy whose gonna share his story with us. So, Mike if you can cue up Billy's story? [ Pause ] >> When I was initially injured, there was a sense of hopelessness. I was not only injured physically, I was also injured mentally and financially. So, when you add all three of those together, that's a big hit, it makes you humble, makes everything [inaudible] with combat. To come off that type of hype when you're combat Marine Corps, I actually carry the flag for my company. We're talking about 130 marines. The toughest marine carries the flag for my company and I was that guy. So having been the kind of go-to guy or the captain when everything needed to get down or you needed to kick some butt to get the guys off. My comrade is growing and I was that type of guy so, you know, I was definitely at real down or to come--to come to that. And you know, depending on the check every month. But I remember my very first interview was raining. It was pouring down and raining, it was raining so hard and I woke up and I said, oh man, I'm just not up to all this raining and, you know--and the average person stayed in the house but I put my suit on and I went to the job fair and I remember meeting a lady, she was an EEO specialist at the Naval Research Lab. Her name was Debbie Irwin. I was soaking wet. When you're sitting down and the rain is storming, you get soaked all way down through to your underwear basically. And I--our resumes are wet. I came into the job fair and I just looked at it and I gave her my resume, it was really wet and she looked at me and I looked at her and she saw that I was hungry. I mean I was--I was just dying for an opportunity, someone please give me a chance. And before I knew it, that was my first job. I've known people with disabilities. I mean we're talking long suffering that have been--we're talking 10, 15 years, you know, looking for a job. Can you imagine what it's like to spend 10 or 15 years looking for a job? It's really--it really happens and we need programs like Ticket to Work to provide us support and to help people move on. And it's a win-win situation, with the employers, employment networks and beneficiaries. If everyone participates, it's a win-win situation for everyone. Well, what I would say to a disabled veteran about the Ticket to Work program, it's a--there's a program that does work. Providing that you connect with the right employment network that's gonna provide the proper training and the support that you need to transition back in, you really stand a good shot and definitely I think it's something that you have to go for. And that's what I would tell a service member and God bless you. [ Pause ] >> Alright. We wanna thank Billy for that while Michael gets this webinar back into my control. Alright. And let's talk about some common concerns. Will I lose my benefits? That's the first question everybody asks and it's a very legitimate concern. And for the most part, the answer is not right away and for many people, the answer is just no. The Social Security work incentives that we have in place now allow people to work at their own pace and lose those benefits at their own pace, as benefits are replaced by earned income. How do I get the skills and experience I need? Jeff's gonna talk to you about that. The State VR agency is out there, private ENs are out there so that a variety of services can come to bear. And remember that we are talking about veterans today so the VA rehabilitation program is pretty phenomenal as well. And when you add all of those three items together, you have a very powerful means of getting skills and experience. What if I have to stop working? Well, that's always a question for all of us. What would happen today if we had to stop working? The wonderful thing about being on Social Security benefits and making that return to work is that Social Security allows for extended periods of work activity and a phone call or a simple, simple paper process to get those benefits turned back on if the work experience is not successful. So it's really, really been an improved work incentive process. Now, Social Security has a Veterans benefit application process so that we need to know a bit more about your active duty status and military pay should not stop you from applying for disability benefits. But there are gonna be a couple of extra questions in that application from veterans. As we were talking before the webinar, Social Security and VA compensation benefits, this is one of the very unique situations where an individual can receive 100 percent of both benefits. So whether you're still hospitalized, are you in a rehabilitation program? Remember that when veterans are hospitalized, sometimes that military pay continues and Social Security is looking at people who don't have earned income, so we need to know if you're still in a hospital, even though you're undergoing your rehabilitation program, you can still apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. And Social Security is going to expedite the veterans application throughout the entire process. And that's a good thing, that's a very good thing indeed. Now, I'm very happy to introduce Mike Rowe. He is with the Tennessee Disability Coalition and is a community work incentive coordinator and is the guys who's gonna talk to us about all of the details about the Social Security return to work programs. So take it away, Mike. >> Okay. Thank you very much for that, Ray. Hope you will excuse me. I'm in--combating a cold so I'll have to clear my throat once in a while. I apologize ahead of time. Just briefly, I myself am a Vietnam veteran, served with the 7th Marines in 1970 and as result, I now receive 100 percent service connected VA disability. So I know where you guys and gals come from and I also wanna say happy belated birthday and happy birthday Marine Corps and happy Veterans Day everyone. Next. Next slide. Okay, let's talk a little bit about what working centers and planning is all about and how we can assist you in the return to work process. This--the WIPA projects are throughout the nation. Every state has it and they are funded by Social Security Administration through the federal grant program. The whole purpose of it is to help you make informed choices, to learn about your benefits, excuse me, and through an individual, such as myself, who will sit down with you one on one and walk you through the whole process. Okay. We are certified by the Social Security Administration and we can answer just about any question you may have about the Social Security Disability, SSI and other benefits you may have or we can guide you in the right direction or someone who can answer that question, okay? We could also refer you to other resources who can help you achieve your goals, do training, do job placement or whatever benefits or resources you may need. Next slide. [ Pause ] >> Okay, let's talk about the actual work incentives when you return to work and what's gonna happen, okay? There are a number of different work incentives that we're gonna look at, so let's see how these may apply directly to you in your individual situation. First of all, we wanna help you build your employment team. What is that? Does that mean now the VA through vocation rehab program there or to the state vocational rehab program if you've already exhausted your VA benefits? That could also be through the employment networks who are located throughout the country and each community may have one. Next slide please. Stay positive and look for opportunities is exactly what it means. You know, don't let anyone tell you that you cannot work simply because you have a disability or because if you go to work you're gonna lose all your benefits at that time. And remember this too, job doesn't necessarily be come looking for you. You may have to get out and do a little legwork on your own, okay? So, have a positive outlook, just like Billy did in that slide. And eventually things will, you know, happen for you and doors will open. Next slide please. Okay, next slide. Okay, again as Ray had mentioned already, this is a program that is free to you. We do not charge for our services as we are employed by different local agencies through grants from Social Security. Okay? Excuse me again. There are a number of different programs and we work with individuals generally from the ages of 18 to 64. Prior to that, they're usually in school. After 65, you know, they're gonna be on retirement. So we just work directly with folks who are already receiving, needs a Social Security Disability or SSI for a disability. Next slide. Okay, what does a ticket program mean to you? Well, first of all, are you ready to get back in the workforce? Are you ready to make some money? The different programs that the ENs offer such as someone's gonna speak to you a little bit later, Mr. Jeff. They can help you in a lot of ways, one, they're gonna offer some types of skills training. If you're no longer able to do the type of work you did before, they'll offer you the skills training and help you improve your earning potential through polished training, vocational training or just maybe some onsite training that they may offer themselves. Nest slide please. Okay, in providing the assurance and stability that you need. Well, a lot of things can happen here. And coming out of the military, you may not feel that you have skills to offer employment. Well, these help you build your confidence. We wanna help you in a lot of ways. Well, going to work gives you that personal fulfillment as it says right here on the screen. And just that--being able to go out everyday, do what you wanna do, do what you're trained to do, just like you did in the military whether it be--in something related to what you did in the military or not. You know, just simply help you build that confidence, get back out to the workforce and maximize your absolute potential. Next slide please. Okay, how are we going to, you know, keep a positive attitude? Needless to say, right now job markets aren't the best in some areas. Well, these different resources that are available to you, whether it be locally [inaudible] through them, so Veterans Administration, through the state [inaudible] we have, through different employment networks, and also through word of mouth. Remember, a lot of jobs that people obtain are through word of mouth. So you do have some control over which way you're going to go and research your application. You could research online, there are different centers called career centers located in most communities, or you can have that free access to job openings in that area and different programs that the career center itself might offer who are used at [inaudible]--supported by the Department of Employment Security. Now next slide please. Okay. A lot of people, the biggest question that we received is will I lose my benefits if I go to work? Undoubtedly, you have heard from family, friends, and other folks, well, since you're on disability, you need Social Security. If you go work, you will lose everything right away. But we're gonna be addressing some of those individual issues but the simple fact of the matter is like Ray mentioned earlier, guys and gals, you don't have to worry about that. We will guide you through the system. We will tell you how each individual program works and when and how you can maximize your potential so that you have something to fall back on. We'll go into more detail on each individual program shortly. Okay, next slide please. Okay, you're afraid that you might not be able to get back to work on your own and what happens if your benefits do stop? Well, again we're gonna direct those issues indirect or directly. Just to give you a brief [inaudible] on SSI, you've got a minimum of at least 6 years but if something happens, you can get back on SSDI, you have about 8 years total. So we will address those a little bit more in detail, you know, with time permitting. Next slide please. Okay, needless to say, getting back in the civilian workforce, it can be kind of a challenge, okay? Usually the [inaudible] in each individual area, we are supposedly operating under a case management profile, but we will work individuals to use [inaudible] throughout the entire process so that you are completely aware of what to do, when to do it, how to do it so that you do not get into any undue troubles with Social Security. Next slide please. Okay, are there any particular reasons why you should use your Ticket to Work? One thing we want to make perfectly clear is that it's strictly a voluntary program. Most people who we see with a Social Security disability or SSI, perhaps everyone is eligible for the Ticket to Work. Now it does give you some benefits, it gives you an opportunity to choose from a wide variety of different--what's called employment networks, and they may offer training, they may just offer job placement but they can assist you in getting back in that workforce so that you're not stuck out there on your own. After we signed your ticket to that individual employment network that we'll be starting a goal that you have to follow through with and they will outline those for you once you assigned your ticket to that different agency, okay? The one big benefit of that is everyone who we see Social Security Disability or SSI, they are eligible for what's called a continuing disability review every 3 years, 5 years or 7 years, depending on the status, you know, nature of your disability. Just briefly 3 years is easy for people having disability that couldn't--could improve just every 5 years or, you know, the middle of the road disabilities, maybe you'll get better, maybe you won't. It's every 7 to 10 years usually for people whose disability is more severe, okay? By assigning your ticket, you can be deferred from having a disability review for up to 4 years so long as you are meeting those goals--you know our only goal is outlined for you. Next slide please. Okay, let's look at the three biggest myths that you might hear or that somebody's gonna tell you about eventually 'cause I know you're not gonna get all the right information unless you talk to the folks, you know, what you're talking about. As you can see on that screen it says very simply, if I go to work, I will automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid. That is absolutely myth. On the Medicare that you receive with Social Security Disability, once you complete a 9-month Trial Work Period, you can still keep your Medicare for up to 93 months simply by making sure that that Medicare Part B premium is paid and usually once they stop your check for wages, if that happens, all you have to do is make the payments directly out of pocket, whereas before they were coming from your disability check before you receive it. On the Medicaid side, now--and a number these are general statements I'm making because each state handles Medicaid differently. Excuse me. For instance in the state of Tennessee, we're calling a 1634 State meaning that if you--we see SSI in Tennessee, you automatically have Medicaid in day 1, whereas on Medicare as we get Social Security Disability there is a 24-month waiting period from your date of entitlement. And on the Medicaid, there's a special work incentive center to Social Security called 1619(b). >> It says very simply, if you receive Medicaid and you lose your earnings, your two wages only, but you can keep your Medicaid with no time limit so long as you meet certain guidelines such as, you know, we meet the resource limit of 2000 dollars. You need that Medicaid in order to continue working and you do not go over the threshold amount which in each state varies. For instance in Tennessee it's--I believe it's probably 26,645 dollars a year. Next slide please. Okay, second biggest myth. If I use my Ticket to Work, Social Security will perform a medical review, okay? Not necessarily true. There are other types of ways that you can protect your benefits. First of all the ticket like I said will protect you for up to 4 years of having an arbitrary medical review if you meet what the guidelines had set out in the ticket in the employment networks that you assign your ticket to or if you happen to assign it to a state local rehab agency, they will give you those guidelines that you have to meet, okay? Also, we've got the state local we had--there's another one called section 301 that helps you provide benefits so long as you're involved in a provocational program that's likely to lead you--leave you becoming more sufficient--self sufficient, excuse me. Next slide please. Okay, slide number 3 please. Okay, the final myth that we hear mostly is if you stopped working and you've already lost your benefits that you're gonna have to apply all over again, well, not true. In the instance like I talked early, SSI, if you lose your earnings due--as you lose your SSI check due to wages, the SSI check is only suspended for up to 12 months so that as you do not receive an SSI check for 12 straight months at the end of that straight months, the SSI cash part will be terminated, that's called 1619(a) where you can still receive SSI when you work, and as you meet your break even point which may vary for each individual depending on how much SSI you received, okay? Excuse me. On the SSDI side, like I mentioned, once you complete a 9-month trial work period which is initiated by making at least 720 dollars a month or more in gross wages, once you complete that 9-month, you still have additional 3 months in most cases that, you know, before you can lose your benefits to your wages. But once you complete the 9-month trial work period, you have a 36-month extended period of eligibility that says to people that if you are unable to continue working at the SGA level which currently is a thousand dollars a month gross which changes to a thousand ten from January. If you're unable to continue working at that level and your wages fall back below that level doing that 36-month period for any reason, all you have to do is show your current pay stubs to [inaudible] administration and they can start your check right back at the first month that you're eligible. If at the end of that 36 month you are making that thousand ten which we referred to as SGA or substantial gainful activity, at that point they will terminate your cash benefits if you are making the thousand ten or whatever the SGA is at that time. However remember, from the day you're terminated, you will also have an additional five years under what we call expedited reinstatement to get your benefits restarted without having to file a new application, for you to take 6 to 8 to 10 weeks depending so that you do know that you have a period of time that could meet your benefits back without having to go through the application process all over. Next slide please. [ Pause ] >> If you're ready to explore, then here's a thing that you need to do. You know, make sure that you assigned your ticker to a--to an employment network that meets your needs. At this point when you do that make--you know, interview them as if they're interviewing you for a job. You meet with an individual to the location closest to you, you find an employment network like I said that will--that's catered to meet you needs. You're not catering to meet them, they have to be catered to meet your needs. Stay con--stay connected with them and follow through and follow their direction and let them know what's going on at any given time, otherwise they can't help you appropriately. Okay. In order to find out who an employment agency is in that-your network or see what goes in your network, you can always call the number that you see on your screen there or go to the website listed there. [ Pause ] >> Thank you for that, next slide please. And if you need that information, again, we can always go back to that slide. Next slide please. Okay, Social Security Disability and SSI, the two types of disability benefits that you may receive from the Social Security. The SSDI part, that's the folks who have worked, paid into the system; so that you have insured yourself if you become disabled or when you retire you have that built up into the system, that is an entitlement program. The SSI is for folks who have not worked in the--in the past and pays in the system or they haven't worked enough. That could also be in the case of someone who's suffered, folks who has not paid their Social Security taxes. Next slide please. Okay, we already kinda touched on that and usually the SSDI is based I believe they say it's only the 5 highest use of earnings. And in order to qualify for Social Security Disability, you have to work 5 in the last 10 years or less than that if you're very young. Next slide please. SSI, this is a needs based program. The maximum amount that you can receive is referred to as a federal benefit rate which is currently 674 dollars a month which will increase to 698 as of January 2012. Some very important to remember here is that each state may vary because some states do have an SSI supplement, so it is important to check with your individual state on that. We do not have this SSI supplement here simply because of the cost of living in the state of Tennessee at this time. On SSI, the first 85 dollars doesn't count every month and then after that, Social Security will reduce your SSI check one dollar for every two that you earn above the 85 because it is a needs base--needs base program so as your wages go up, your SSI check will go down in that 5 place. Okay, in some cases somebody may receive a Social Security Disability check and a SSI check. That's for folks who maybe not have paid enough into the Social Security System that maybe they only get 4 or 500 dollars in SSDI. The Social Security Administration will bring that total up the federal benefit rate which is 674 a month plus that 20 dollars I guess as a reward for having worked in the past. So, you can draw both benefits at the same time if you don't have other income or resources that preclude you from qualifying for SSI. Next slide please. Okay, the purpose of the work in the sentence is, is really kind of simple, think about it for a minute. Right now if you're on Social Security Disability and SSI and you're sitting home, you're not paying anything back in the system, you're not helping your self, you know, and you're wondering what--what are you gonna do from hereon? The departments and the working center is to give you an ample op--ample opportunity to get back into the workforce without having that fear of losing your primary source of support right off the bat. So, an individual [inaudible] can sit down with you and go over each and every one with you because each SSDI and SSI does have their own separate rules so they can break it down for you so that you know what to expect. Next slide please. Okay, in here the main reason that they wanna provide these working centers for you, there are a number of things that you will benefit as a result 'cause first of all you have the--you don't have to have that fear of losing your primary source of support and especially that insurance that so many people rely on. >> Of course in our audience today you have a lot of guys and gals who will be eligible for the VA, you know, medical benefits but in some cases you are not, unfortunately. So, among the different types of benefits from the Ticket to Work program and you--your Work Incentives is it allows you ample opportunity to receive training for a new skill cause in so many cases an individual cannot return to the same work that they did before. You also have the opportunity to improve the skills you already have by enhancing them called in so many fields. You're going to military for a few years, you come out, things change. So, you can improve the skills you already have by being updated on all the new stuff, and to pursue your education at your pace. Next slide. Also, by having your different work incentives, you can go out there and try different jobs. You don't have to just limit yourself one possibility because so many folks with disability, and I am one, I had no idea what I was capable of when I first started back in the workforce and it took several tries before I finally realized that I belong in the work--you know, work world with people with disabilities. And since then I've been working for 30 years now within the same field. So, you get the opportunity to try these jobs and see what you like most and what you seem to be best at. Next slide please. And again, like I did myself, you just start your career by exploring, trying different things, see what fits your needs the best. I wish you the best on that because there is ample opportunity and ample resources for you to do just that. Next slide please. Needless to say, gaining confidence is one of the biggest things we all need. Not only do you have to have the proper support systems but just knowing that you are able to get back out there, that you are able to find a job that you are able to succeed in that job, confidence is everything because that will enable you to be promoted on that job, find a new and better job, excel in school or whatever it is that you need to do now that you have the opportunity to do so. Next slide please. Some of the very common working centers--and this is a list that is not all inclusive but these are some of the primary ones that you are eligible for if you receive Social Security Disability or SSI. The Trial Work Period which as it says is only for those who receive Social Security Disability. It is a 9-month program that is monitored by Social Security and your [inaudible]. If you're making 720 dollars a month or more gross, that counts as a monthly Trial Work Period. However, during your 9 months of trial work, you are permitted to earn as much as you want without fear of ruining that SSDI check. The extended period of eligibility like I said earlier is that 36-month period right after your trial work period. That allows you to go on and off on and off while you try different jobs, so that any month that your earnings are below the 1000 dollars a month this year and a thousand--ten dollars a month gross next year, you can get your check started right back again simply by keeping Social Security aware of what you're making and showing those pay stubs, that's the most important part everyone, keep those pay stubs. Okay, the earned income exclusion. Excuse me for a second, that is part of the exclusions that you receive for SSI. There are two of them, the earned income exclusion and general exclusion. What that basically means is that when you're on SSI, the first 85 dollars that you earn every month will not count against you. This is again is only for the SSI recipient. Now, the following one, that EXR or expedited reinstatement, that is common to both of them, both programs, Social Security Disability and SSI. In the social--in the SSI part, it is a five-year program from the end of the, that 12-month period that I mentioned where your SSI is in suspension due to wages. Once your SSI check is terminated due to wages, you have that five-year period, again, to reapply for SSI without having to file a new application. And on SSDI that 5-year is expedited reinstatement period begins once you complete that 36-month extended period of eligibility. And again remember, this does not mean that you have to file a new application. You simply might have to file--sign one sheet of paper, give the information to check with your medical sources to make sure you're still disable. At that point they can restart your benefit at the same level you receive before with the addition of any cause of living adjustments, okay? Next slide please. Okay, when you decide that you're ready to go to work and, again, let me expound upon the fact that the Ticket to Work Program is voluntary. You are not required to use it, okay? So you wanna build your employment chain so that you have--so that you maximize your efforts to get out there. First, and we're gonna hear from Jeff later about an employment network, you're explaining to you the advantages and disadvantages of that and how--how they can help you. You also have access to your State Voc Rehab Agency in addition to the Voc Rehab through the Veterans Administration. And then it is also beside the CWICs that you have such as myself and Jeff and other folks around the country, you also have a third leg of that Ticket to Work stool. If I got a three-legged stool, you have the Ticket to Work, you have the WIPA program, we have the CWICs like myself and then you have Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security. These folks can help you. If you have a lot of difficulty that you and your CWIC cannot solve, you may be able to access PABSS, and they even have an attorney on staff that can assist you [inaudible] within their guidelines to help. So there are different resources for you to obtain and again, none of these resources that we're mentioning 'caused you any funds whatsoever. Next slide please. >> Okay Mike. Thank you very, very much and I think you're hired. Yeah. [Laughter] We're gonna keep you around for next year's veteran session I think. Okay, now we wanna move to Jeff Lilley who is the national director of Back to Work Services and is a private employment network and he's gonna discuss the services that employment networks might be able to provide you. Take it away Jeff. Jeff, if you haven't unmuted your phone, you might wanna do that. [ Pause ] >> Jeff? [ Pause ] >> Okay, Jamie, why don't you try to get in touch with Jeff and I will move through some of these slides. Alright, Jeff is an employment network. He's also a disabled veteran and when he comes back will tell you a bit about his story. But I'm gonna take over until we can get him reconnected and let you know what a private employment network can do. Now, a private employment network is a very, very useful tool and again as Mike indicated, there is no charge for these services despite the fact that they are private agencies. Basically, what happens here is that in return for services, you agree to work and the private EN is then paid by Social Security. And we're hearing from Jeff. He is getting some technical assistance to get back in. But how--what can you expect from an EN. How about interview skills? If you haven't had the opportunity to interview for many jobs in the past or it's been a very long time, you're a guy like Mike or myself who has been in the same field for 30 years and we happened to have a whole lot of time, a whole lot of-- >> Can you hear me now, Ray? >> Jeff, we can hear you now. [ Laughter ] >> I just started talking about interview skills, so why don't you take it away. >> Oh, great. >> Let us know who you are. >> Well, one of the full technology that we have, I wanna welcome everyone. My name is Jeff Lilley and I live in California. And I am former--I'm a combat vet, Vietnam vet and I just wanna welcome everyone home and I wish you all had a very happy Veterans Day. And I'm gonna talk a little bit about employment networks. So when I see Ray was talking about them and an employment network, we're contracted with Social Security to provide services to you for free. And the services differ from employment network to employment network. So as what we're saying, some will, you know, give you application advice, leads, job training development accommodation. Go down please. [ Pause ] >> Okay. As I said, all the services that we offer are free, okay? We explained the Ticket to Work program because we do know it. My company has a CWIC on--that works with us and we have job developers who work looking for jobs in your particular expertise. However, you need to find an employment network that knows what you're looking for and you work well with them, okay? And then you have to know that you won't lose your Medicaid or your Medi-Cal or your Medicare, and that you know, you have your Trial Work Period. And as a vet and I get a pension, I was always afraid to go sign up for something new because you never know what the VA, what they're gonna do. So I learned and they will not take away your benefits. So do not be afraid to sign and ask the program, okay? We'll work with you to develop an individual work plan. If we can't do that, we will refer you to the State Vocational Rehab. And what vocational rehab will do, will retrain you under the ticket program. You basically call them you have a Ticket to Work, and instead of the state paying them, Social Security pays them to train you in a new field. Then once you stop working, you can come back to the employment network and we keep you, we do retention services. We make sure that that you're working and that you're happy and everything is doing well. The program, we're usually on a 5-year cycle so it works pretty good. Next slide. Okay, these are some of the things that you could--what you can do, okay? You can go to yourtickettowork.com and there's a list of employment networks. And I think that will be at the end of the slide also. But there's a list of employment networks, there's a list of vocational rehab on there. You gonna wanna talk about your work history, what kind of work you can do, what your limitations are, your disability. We tried to assign people to jobs that fit with their particular disability. We fill out an individual work plan with each client. Everyone is different. And we basically--we work for you to [inaudible] yourself, I like to say that we believe that work is life changing and we give you the support and services to enhance your quality of life. And I think that's what it's all about. I mean we get you working, we get you going until you go and all you need to do is once a month send us a copy of your pay stub, that's how we get paid. And we're here, we're here for you, my company, 24/7. So--and a lot of companies are like that. Next slide please. Okay. The question you should ask an employment network, and I get asked these questions all the time. How many people have you helped through the Ticket to Work Program? Hundreds. One of the biggest problems is we work with everyone but it takes a team. We work together as a team, employment networks and the beneficiary and we move forward towards the goal, and the goal is to work, achieve employment, achieve substantial gainful activity and get back into the workforce. The kinds of companies that we work with, all the big companies, Kmart, Sears, Best Buy. We give them a work incentive, some states do, most states I believe will work [inaudible] tax credit. So, if you go to work for the bigger companies, they get an enticement to keep you hired, it will be 6 months, okay? What kind of jobs, you can--any job at the tickettowork.gov. If you can find a job as a nuclear scientist, Ticket to Work job. During the Trial Work Period, you can make 10,000 dollars a month and it will not affect your checks. Myself, we're required by a contract to keep and communicate with the beneficiaries with you people quarterly. My companies, we can talk to our people weekly to find out where they are. So it all depends on the employment network. Make sure you do your homework, call a few employment networks. Don't go to the first one. Some are national, some are local, some don't work with vets, some do work with vets. Some have the skill that you need, some might not, so choose wisely. And I think I'm gonna hand it back to you, Ray. >> Okay, thank you very much, Jeff, for sharing that with us, some great information. >> Okay, thank you. >> Alright. Now we're going to show you some of the resources that we have for you and how you can get some of those specific questions of yours answered. Okay, the department, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has several programs regarding vocational rehabilitation and employment. And this copy at the beginning mentioned the new program Vets 4 Success and it's www.vetsuccess, one word, dot gov. Vets 4 Success is helping to facilitate reintegration and retention and the hiring of employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs so that you can share your knowledge with your colleagues and your peers. And here's another website, vaforvets.va.gov and that will get you into that information. The wonderful thing as Mike mentioned on that first bullet, the Veterans Administration has some very, very extensive rehabilitation programs. >> So the combination of using your Ticket to Work, your CWIC like Mike and a private EN like Jeff, your state rehab agency, it's pretty much gonna be able to put together a plan that's gonna meet all of your needs. Now the Social Security Administration has lots of great information on disability benefits for everyone and particularly for Wounded Warriors. So fairly new program I believe started within the last 5 or 6 years and that website is www.socialsecurity, one word dot gov/woundedwarriors, one word. And that's gonna get you all of that--the information you need to be begin to apply. Remember I told you that there's this--there are a couple of extra questions on the application that have to be answered when somebody is a veteran. That's gonna give you a hint as to what that information is and a really good way into this entire system. The new initiatives that are in the Americans jobs, the jobs that provide resources for the veterans in an effort to take what you learned and did while you were in the military and translate that to the private job market. Mike spoke about that. You know, maybe you're not aware of what you can do. I mean that's a situation that all of us are in at one point or another. But there is much, much more. There are many, many more skills, much more knowledge than you even imagine you have right now that can be translated into the private job market. And that very lengthy website is where you can find that out. But if you look at the shortened website, if we go to www.whitehouse, one word, dot gov/v-press-office, we'll begin to get into that website, and that should get you directory of all of the initiatives that are there and the American Jobs Act can get you to that veterans website. Now where do you find your employment team? Well, that's really up to you. Jeff said shop, find an employment network who will meet your needs and it's very permissible for you to interview one or more employment networks, including State VR. They may be part of your team, it may not be necessary. The Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Program could be part of that team as well. Somebody like Mike Rowe, a CWIC, a community work incentive coordinator, somebody to help you plan what's going to happen to your public benefits and health care as you move through work is a critical part of your employment team. And that employment team may very well include members of your family, a counselor, a physician and most certainly, you are a member of that employment team because it's pretty much up to you. You are the leader of this team and everybody on that team is there to take care of you and what you need to get back to work. So when you're ready, how do you start? Now we really have a no wrong door policy here. You can contact any entity, any member of that employment team and you're going to at the very least be referred to the right place to start, but you can contact the Work Incentive Planning and assistance program, the WIPA Program you could contact an EN such as Jeff, you can contact the state VR agency or you can contact that profess--the protection and advocacy for beneficiaries of Social Security Program. Any one of those entities could be contacted and get you started, any one of these places can get you started and I hope that any one of these people would involve all of these people as well as the VA in your situation. You can always call the Ticket to Work help line. They can answer specific questions that you have concerning your situation and get you a referral to a CWIC or an employment network or the state VR agency in your local area, and that phone number is 1-866-968-7842 for voice and for TTY 866-833-2967 and that call-in center will get you in contact with the local resources you need. And above all, socialsecurity.gov/work can get you all of this information and much, much more. That it's actually a very, very user friendly and [inaudible] full of information website. So with that, we are going to have about 15 minutes left to get some of your questions answered and it's fun for me now to be able to put Mike and Jeff on the spot. But we're gonna do that. Jeff, I think this is a good one for you. How would the Ticket to Work apply to self-employment? >> Well--can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay, just making sure. Self-employment, you could work and you can earn the same way as if you were working for somebody. You just keep track of your earning and at the end of the year, you get--you're still allowed a 1099 or, you know, like an independent contractor. As an independent contractor, you just pay your taxes and then what we do is social security will take how much you made and divide it through the--over the 12 months and that will be the amount that they use to determine whether you made SGA [inaudible] or stay under the trial work level. >> Okay, so I'm assuming that you're telling us that that ticket can be used to start your own business or become self-employed? >> Yes, very much so. It's just the same as working, the only like I said is you pay your own taxes and then at the end of the year it gets evened out. Well, you might wind up--you have to really keep track 'cause you might wind up owing money to Social Security 'cause you continue getting it checked. >> Okay. Alright, and just to give a little bit more information for that one, both state VR agencies and the VA rehabilitation services have a lot of information and put a lot more emphasis in self-employment than they have in the past because there are many, many situations now where people can work out of their homes, begin their own business, and in truth, the more severe your disabilities are, the greater a home-based employment option might be. So don't let self-employment stop you. If that's what you want, go for it. >> That's really true, Ray, because also they'll provide computers and everything-- >> Okay. >> for you. >> May I add to that a little bit, Ray, this is Mike Rowe. >> Certainly can, Mike. >> Okay, and remember this with self employment too for all you veterans out there who is thinking about opening your own business, the difference between that and regular employment is on the regular employment, you're working for someone else and Social Security counts your gross wages. On self-employment, Social Security will be counting your net wages and the general rule of thumb for that is anything that the IRS allows as a business deduction, Social Security will normally allow that as a business deduction also. >> Alright. Thanks a lot, Mike. Mike, I'm gonna turn to you right now. Will a CWIC work together with a veterans agent or do I have to choose one of the other? >> Absolutely, we will work with anyone you ask us to as long as they're willing work with us. [ Simultaneous Talking ] >> That's just what I want to hear. >> From service and so the more people on your employment team the better. >> And we also work with Veterans Affairs. >> Okay. >> Employment networks too, Ray. >> Alright. I'm looking for our next question. Jeff, can I get assistance through the Ticket to Work for transportation to and from work? >> Depends. It depends on were you an SSI or SSDI first of all. We would basically have to do an assessment. If you do apply and you go on vocational rehab, yes, they will pay for a transportation. Most employment networks were self funded by Social Security but we don't have the money to pay for transportation. >> Okay, but it would available through leveraging from other sources. >> From other sources. We will find ways to get a yes, so. >> Okay, great. Hey, Mike, how do I get an application for SSI? >> You will need to go online at www.socialsecurity.gov where you can go to your local Social Security Office and they have a CD that they will give you that you can use to apply or in some cases you can apply directly at the VA. I mean, excuse me at the Social Security Office. >> Okay. Thank you and I just want to give one hint for any body whose about to go to a Social Security Office. It's a really good idea to give a call and make an appointment to do that. You might not be seen on time but you will be seen that day. I don't want you to waste a whole lot of time. Okay, Mike, I think this one is for you too. My VA compensation is very low and I can't work at present. Is there anything I can do to help make ends meet? >> Okay. Well, if you are receiving a service connected pension, you could always request a reevaluation to have that upgraded. It depends on again, it depends on what type of benefit do we see. Yes, you can also apply for Social Security Disability. Okay, you can do that right now so that you--you see Veterans benefits as service connected, it is very likely, and I guarantee that very likely that you will also be approved by the Social Security Administration. And it depends on the type of injury you had [inaudible] certain, certain disabilities are always called a compassionate list for Social Security such as organ transplants, cancers, dialysis, TBI, so you know, [inaudible] your part time job, there are a lot of ways to do that. >> Okay. Thank you. And I got a new one for Jeff just came in hot off the presses. Can I change ENs if I'm not satisfied with the one I have now? >> Totally. It is a total voluntary program. You can change EN. If you find that you can't work with them, you can change them with no penalty whatsoever. When we work with clients and the client stops working, we don't go and paddle on people to Social Security. This person won't work. No, we try to get, you know, the job. But yes, you can change in. >> Okay, great. >> With no penalty. [ Laughter ] >> Okay, Mike, can a CWIC help with the other benefits that my family receives. >> Can you hear me okay? >> Yup. Sure can. >> Absolutely, you may receive things such as food stamps, unemployment, TANF which is also known as family [inaudible], and other types of benefits. Yes, we are also certified to work with you in relation to that and if some of us also have enough knowledge about veterans benefits to show you how they all correlate because just about any other benefit you received from VA just can and will be affected by wages. >> Okay, great. Now, I'm not sure whether who to send this one to, but what about on-the-job training for veterans? >> You want me to take that? You want me to take that one now, Mike? >> Yeah, go ahead and if I think of anything to add I-- >> Okay, I--I am a certified job coach and I can--I can work with people on the job for a vocational rehab. So, basically they do have job coaches that will work with you and you go through your vocational rehab office and then they will find your local office and they'll find someone to actually job coach you and teach you to do what you need to do and stay on the job. >> Okay, Mike. >> Answer. >> Do you have anything? >> That is some--now that depends on your individual state locally have offers 'cause so many under order selection but they also have a program I think is called WIC [phonetic] or RIC [phonetic] or something like that where the employment by the folk rehab office can actually reimburse an employer for a certain percentage of your wages while you're undergoing on-the-job training if the employer is willing to do so. >> Right I--right. >> Okay, and I'm just gonna toss in one of the Veterans Administration or Veterans Affairs rehabilitation programs. They've got five different tracks and one of them does involve rapid employment through on-the-job training. So that's available through the VA as well. Okay, I don't know if either one of you have any answer to this one but I've got one, if we don't, how can I get my discharge upgraded? >> I guess you would have to notify--this is Mike Rowe. >> Yeah. >> Notify the department, the Army or Navy or Air Force, you know, whichever branch of military you were in and contact them and check with them on that. >> Yeah, yeah, there is--you know there is a--certainly a possibility of getting discharges upgraded and I used to do it in the old days because some of the benefits that we're talking about today from the VA side of things do require a certain type of discharge. And if you do need assistance with getting your discharge upgrade so that you can qualify and utilize some of these programs, I'd suggest you start by calling the National Veterans Law Center and you can find them in Washington DC. They do have a 1800 number but they will get you to a local service provider. So, that's the National Veterans Law Center in Washington. And I think there's one more, Jamie's sending them in, hot of the presses again. Okay, I do not receive Social Security benefits although I am an unemployed disabled veteran, 30 percent through the VA, are these programs that Mike was talking about available to me as well or do I need to be drawing Social Security? >> This is Mike, I would absolutely get down the Social Security office in your area and apply for Social Security Disability, cause again with the Wounded Warrior Project, you actually maybe able to get on Social Security Disability a little bit quicker as opposed to someone who's not. >> Right. >> Yeah, yeah. >> And as an employment network, we can only work with beneficiaries on Social Security. >> Yeah, and that you have most of the programs with the exception of those that are directly through the VA that we've talked about today are only available to folks who are recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance or SSI. So, I'm making that connection with Social Security is gonna be very important. Okay, and we got time for one last questions as I'm looking at 4:28. Mike, where do I--where do I start? >> Where do you start? Well, if you're looking at your computer at the PowerPoint there, start with that Ticket to Work help line. As you can see Ray is now underlining that for you. You can call that and like, they were talking earlier, they want to give you a--probably a CWIC in your area, EN in your area and also contact your local VA and see what services they have to offer you. So between the two, you'll get if not everything you need to get started. >> Okay. And once again, that number is 866-968-7842 or for TTY, 866-833-2967, and that's the Ticket to Work help line. >> And for those of you whose questions we were not able to get to, please give a call to that help line and they will be able to get you the answers or at the very least get you in contact with one of those members of your employment team. And I'd like to thank Miss Coffee for meeting with us today and discussing the new programs of Veterans Affairs Administration has available for you and thank Mike and Jeff for a great session and it's a wonderful information. Thanks to Jamie who was funneling me those questions and handling things at the background as well as Mike Ward who handles all things technology related. Thank you all for participating today and we hope to see you again soon at a webinar. Have a good afternoon.