Understanding PASS Eligibility

To qualify for PASS in Tennessee, keep these points in mind:

• You must already receive SSDI benefits and have a work goal you want to achieve.
• Your plan must be feasible and aimed at gaining employment or improving work skills.
• Resources and income can be set aside to pay for expenses related to your PASS plan.

What Expenses PASS Covers

PASS can help pay for necessary costs such as:

• Education or training fees including tuition and supplies.
• Costs of equipment, tools, and uniforms needed for work.
• Transportation expenses related to employment or training.
• Child care or medical services if required for the work goal.

How PASS Affects SSDI Benefits

Important effects of the PASS program include:

• Money saved for the plan is excluded from your countable income for SSDI.
• This exclusion can increase your monthly SSDI payment or help you keep benefits while working.
• Your PASS plan must be updated and approved regularly by the SSA.

Creating a PASS Plan

When setting up your PASS, consider:

• Clearly defining your work goal and how it helps you achieve self-support.
• Detailing the timeline and steps to complete your plan.
• Listing all costs and how you will use funds to cover them.

Common Challenges with PASS

Watch out for these issues:

• Incomplete or unclear plans that lack specifics on how the money will be used.
• Failure to submit required documentation or updates on your progress.
• Expenses that don’t qualify or are not directly related to your work goal.