Denver Operations Summit Mark Green (SSA) Regarding the Denver Ticket Partner meeting, Mark stressed that participants were very pleased for the opportunity to get together in person to hear and meet people they deal with. The meeting was very worthwhile. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Mark Green (SSA) The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups who have faced significant barriers to employment. Since 2005 MAXIMUS has provided free verification of an individual’s participation in either the Ticket program or Vocational Rehabilitation to allow companies to qualify for the tax credit. For SSI beneficiaries the requests have gone through the Workforce Agency (not MAXIMUS) with a fee charged. Going forward all SSI cases will go through MAXIMUS and no fee will be charged. This is big news and opens up more opportunities for employment for SSI beneficiaries. Mark also announced his retirement after 42 years, effective January 3, 2017. He thanked and expressed pleasure for the experience of working with everyone. Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Presentation Margery McIver (SSA); Matthew Angel, (Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas) Margery discussed PASS as a work incentive. PASS allows individuals receiving disability to set aside funds to help them achieve work goals. SSI excludes the income set aside. PASS is unique as it reflects individual choice. Examples of the use of PASS were provided such as an auto mechanic buying tools, employees buying uniforms, and students buying text books. Beneficiaries must apply for PASS in writing and have a clear work goal that will generate earnings towards self-sufficiency. Matthew discussed the benefits of PASS for SSI beneficiaries and provided more examples. Site Visit Updates
Denver Operations Summit Mark Green (SSA) Regarding the Denver Ticket Partner meeting, Mark stressed that participants were very pleased for the opportunity to get together in person to hear and meet people they deal with. The meeting was very worthwhile. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Mark Green (SSA) The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups who have faced significant barriers to employment. Since 2005 MAXIMUS has provided free verification of an individual’s participation in either the Ticket program or Vocational Rehabilitation to allow companies to qualify for the tax credit. For SSI beneficiaries the requests have gone through the Workforce Agency (not MAXIMUS) with a fee charged. Going forward all SSI cases will go through MAXIMUS and no fee will be charged. This is big news and opens up more opportunities for employment for SSI beneficiaries. Mark also announced his retirement after 42 years, effective January 3, 2017. He thanked and expressed pleasure for the experience of working with everyone. Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Presentation Margery McIver (SSA); Matthew Angel, (Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas) Margery discussed PASS as a work incentive. PASS allows individuals receiving disability to set aside funds to help them achieve work goals. SSI excludes the income set aside. PASS is unique as it reflects individual choice. Examples of the use of PASS were provided such as an auto mechanic buying tools, employees buying uniforms, and students buying text books. Beneficiaries must apply for PASS in writing and have a clear work goal that will generate earnings towards self-sufficiency. Matthew discussed the benefits of PASS for SSI beneficiaries and provided more examples. Site Visit Updates