Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), is a supplemental security income (SSI) provision to help individuals with disabilities return to work. 

HOW DOES PASS WORK?

• The applicant finds out what training, items, or services they need to reach a work goal.

• A PASS can include supplies to start a business, school expenses, equipment and tools, transportation, uniforms and other items or services you need to reach your employment goal.

• The applicant finds out how much these items and services will cost.

• PASS can help the participant save to pay these costs. PASS lets persons with disabling conditions set aside money for purchases, installment payments and down payments for things like a vehicle, wheelchair, or a computer if needed to reach their work goal.

HOW DOES PASS HELP SOMEONE RETURN TO WORK?

• SSI eligibility and payment amounts are based on income and resources (things of value that the individual owns).

• PASS lets a disabled individual set aside money and things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal.

• The objective of the PASS is to help disabled individuals find employment that reduces or eliminates SSI or social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits.

The PASS will be suspended when the plan is abandoned, the conditions of the plan are not followed, or the goal is achieved. A PASS will be terminated if SSA approves a new PASS, eligibility for SSI is terminated, or 12 consecutive months elapse after a PASS is suspended without it being resumed.

For more information and examples of how a PASS can be used, please visit the "Red Book."

PASS operates offices in 10 regions in the United States, including New York State. For contact information of PASS offices please visit www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/passcadre.htm.

HAS THIS PROGRAM BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? No. To assist SSI recipients, SSA provided "Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Recipients – Steps to Take and Schedule of Payment." For further updates to the SSA's response to COVID-19, please visit www.ssa.gov/coronavirus.