Employment Network Hawaii, is a dba of Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc. with top priorities in promotion of a successful Hawaii economy and infrastructure so businesses of all sizes can flourish and provide job opportunities for everyone.
Free Assistance to Ticket Holders
Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc. has a contract with the Social Security Administration to provide free work related services to qualified beneficiaries of SSI and/or SSDI through the Ticket to Work program.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is used to describe a level of work activity and earnings. The performance of significant physical and/or mental activities in work for pay or profit, or in work of a type generally performed for pay or profit, regardless of the legality of the work.
Trial Work Period (TWP)
The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how high your earnings might be as long as your work activity has been reported and you have a disabling impairment.
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
After you complete your TWP, you begin your Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The EPE is the 36 consecutive months immediately following your Trial Work Period (TWP).Please continue reading for more information regarding the EPE Program.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a monthly cash benefit that is available from the Social Security Administration to help low income children and adults with disabilities.
SSDI
To be eligible for SSDI, individuals must have insured status as former workers, or be eligible on the insured status of a specific relative like a parent or spouse.
Impairment Related Work Expense & PASS
Two additional work incentives allow you to deduct additional money beyond the exclusions mentioned above, under specific circumstances. They are only briefly described here, and are complicated, so you will need to speak to your local Social Security Representative or an advocate for complete details.
Read More About Impairment Related Work Expense and PASS
1069a and 1619b
Under Section 1619, a person who is eligible for continued Medicaid coverage under 1619(b) can begin receiving SSI cash payments without reapplying at any time earnings drop below the break-even point (the point at which after deducting your earned income you would receive an SSI payment).
Student Earned Income
This allows a person who is under age 22 and regularly attending school to exclude up to $1,340 of earned income per month:
Blind Work Expense
Expenses can include transportation to and from work, federal and state income taxes, union dues, or translation of materials into Braille.
Strategies for Managing your Work Incentives
Always report changes in earnings to your local office. Otherwise, you risk being overpaid or underpaid in your monthly check, and could owe them a refund.
For Further Information
Further information about SSI and work incentives is contained in the publication Red Book On Work Incentives, a Summary Guide to Social Security and Supplemental Income Work Incentives for People with Disabilities.