Social Security Work Incentives Counseling for Current
SSI and SSDI Beneficiaries

Goodwill Industries’ Pennsylvania/Social Security Administration Benefits Counseling and Assistance Project (PASSABCO) provides free benefits counseling services to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries who are working or who want to work.

PASSABCO is funded by the Social Security Administration and can assist you to:

• Understand what you need to report to Social Security once you begin working, and how to keep track of your benefits as you work.
• Use valuable Social Security work incentives that can protect your cash and healthcare benefits, as allowed by Social Security, while you try to work.
• Understand how other public benefits you may receive (i.e., Food Stamps, housing assistance, Medicaid) are impacted by wages.
• Access community resources that can assist you to return to work.

Who can use PASSABCO services?

PASSABCO services are free, voluntary, and confidential to anyone who is:

• 14 through 64 years of age
• Receiving a SSI and/or SSDI cash benefits, and
• Interested in working

Why should you use PASSABCO services?

PASSABCO services can assist you to take more control over your decisions about work, financial matters, and life in general. Did you know you can:

• Earn money from work and, in many instances, continue to keep your cash and healthcare benefits as allowed by Social Security?
• Use special Social Security work incentives to obtain education, training, or other work-related goods and services you might need to become employed?
• Become more self-sufficient and potentially increase your monthly income while decreasing your dependence on public benefits?

How can you access PASSABCO services?

Assistance is just a phone call away. You can reach us from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday thru Friday at 1-866-541-7005 or 619-777-7875. A Benefits Specialist is available to assist you. If you have a hearing impairment, please call our toll-free TTY at 1-866-541-7001. Or, send us an email at cnelson@yourgoodwill.org.

We cover 36 counties in Pennsylvania, including:

We can accommodate your communication and travel needs by arranging for interpreter services and/or meeting with you at a location that’s convenient for you. Just let us know.
If you live outside our coverage area, we’ll refer you to the benefits counseling project in your area.

For additional information about Social Security work incentives and important initiatives designed to help you return to work, please visit:

Social Security’s link to employment supports for people with disabilities, including information for youth with disabilities: www.socialsecurity.gov/work

Social Security’s “Redbook” on work incentives: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook_page.html

Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program:
www.dpw.state.pa.us/oim/Medicaid/oimMawd.asp

Protection and Advocacy for Vocational and Employment Services (the PAVES program): www.dlp-pa.org/paves.html

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program: www.yourtickettowork.com

This web page is made possible by a grant from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official views of SSA.

PASSABCO incorporates the talents and resources of five Goodwill Industries in Pennsylvania: Goodwill Keystone Area, Goodwill Industries of North Central PA, and Goodwill Industries of Northeastern PA.