Vermont
General Information
Vermont is one of four states under contract with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to test whether an alternative method of calculating SSDI benefits will encourage more SSDI beneficiaries to return to work. Under current SSDI rules, if a beneficiary earns above a "substantial" level ($900 per month in 2007) after a nine month Trial Work Period they can lose their entire cash benefit. However, if keep their earnings below $900 they keep their entire SSDI cash benefit. This feature of the SSDI program has sometimes been referred to as the "cash cliff" because of the precipitous loss of benefits once a person earns above a substantial level. For decades now disability advocates have cited the SSDI "cash cliff" as a major disincentive to employment. This pilot will allow beneficiaries to work above the $900 substantial level. Instead of losing their cash benefits entirely, benefit payments will be reduced progressively by one dollar for every two dollars earned over the $900 threshold.
The Vermont SSDI $1 for $2 Pilot is housed within the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The DVR Pilot is intended to test the impact of the SSDI $1 for $2 within standard public vocational services within the state. These services include standard DVR services and supported employment services provided through the local community mental health and developmental disability programs.
The Vermont Pilot also provides comprehensive benefits counseling supports to both the Participant and Comparison groups. Finally, both groups have access to the Vermont Medicaid Buy In program.
For more information on the Vermont SSDI $1 for $2 Pilot:
http://www.dad.state.vt.us/dvr/vocrehab/vwii/
Project Contacts
If you have additional questions about the administration of the Benefit Offset Pilot in Vermont you may contact the James Smith.
If you have comments or questions about the content on this website, please contact Jeff Sheen.