Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
What is PABSS?
The Social Security Administration has funded a program to provide legal assistance to beneficiaries of Social Security who are trying to begin or resume working.
Who can receive our services?
NYLPI, under a contract with the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, provides PABSS services for the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County.
Under PABSS, NYLPI can assist beneficiaries of Social Security with a broad range of return to work issues, including:
- Employment discrimination
- Disputes with employment networks under the Ticket to Work Program
- Problems obtaining reasonable accommodations
- Legal problems with supportive services, such as transportation to work, housing, or other matters that makes it difficult for the beneficiary to work
- Overpayments due to work
(Due to limited resources, we may not be able to assist every individual who contacts us.)
What can we do for you?
- Information and referral
- Direct advocacy and representation
- Education and training
- Technical assistance
What is the Ticket to Work Act?
The Ticket to Work Act is a new program by Social Security Administration (SSA) to assist people with disabilities to go to work. Under the program, Social Security disability and SSI disability beneficiaries will receive a Ticket that may be taken to any approved employment service providers, called Employment Networks, to obtain vocational rehabilitation, job training, and other support services. The program is voluntary for both beneficiaries and Employment Networks: beneficiaries can choose whether or not to seek services with the Ticket; likewise, Employment Networks can choose whether or not to serve a particular beneficiary.
In addition to providing a Ticket for employment services, the Ticket to Work Act seeks to remove some of the barriers that beneficiaries with disabilities face when they attempt to work, such as:
- Extending the period of eligibility for Medicare for SSDI recipients who obtain employment.
- Permitting individuals with disabilities to purchase Medicaid coverage so they can maintain both employment and vital health care benefits. This “Medicaid Buy-in” program became available to New Yorkers on April 1, 2003.
- Establishing a Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Program (“BPAO”) to inform recipients about work incentives and assist them in creating a plan for entering, or re-entering, the work force without risking the loss of vital benefits.
- Providing Protection and Advocacy services to beneficiaries to provide information, advice and other legal services to disability beneficiaries.
