Golden, T. P., & Jones, M. A. (n.d.). SSI and Postsecondary Education Support for Students with Disabilities.

University of Notre Dame

Students with disabilities may have concerns about financing secondary education because SSI won’t provide them with enough livable support after education. Employment during schooling may also seem discouraging due to the risk of reducing their SSI benefits. However, there are ways that people with disabilities can finance postsecondary education and retain all or some of their benefits.

SSI and Post-Secondary Education

SSI and Postsecondary Education Support for Students with Disabilities

Because SSI is a means tested program, individuals receiving SSI can qualify for incentives offered by certain state and federal programs, such as tuition waivers and financial aid packages. Though, working a part-time job or participating in a work study program my impact the amount of students’ SSI benefits received and thus their qualification for the tuition assistance. Despite this, it is possible for an individual enrolled in further education to exclude some earnings from their part-time jobs or work study programs as to not affect their benefits, as detailed under incentives offered by the SSA.

Tuition and Financial Assistance for SSI Student Recipients with Disabilities

In 2002, SSA allows students under 22, who attend school and meet the criteria, to exclude up to $1,320 of earned income per month. Hence, students can earn up tp to $5,340 per year and not have their SSI benefits reduced. The exclusion is applied only to earned income until it reaches the monthly and annual limits. Necessary documentation regarding educational attendance and monthly earnings must be provided.

SSA Student Earned Income Exclusion as of 2002

- Impairment-Related Work Expense: Allows SSI recipient to exclude from their earnings, any expenses related to their disability. This must be paid for by the recipient.
- Blind Work Expense: For those legally blind, such expenses are deducted from earnings after the SSA divides earned income by half.
- Plan for Achieving Self-Support Program: Allows recipients to set aside income and resources needed to achieve a vocational goal.

Additional Work Incentives through the SSA

There is a need for educating students about resources and providing reassurance in light of possible concerns about the complexity of the process. This can be done by educating school guidance councelors, employment personnel, and disability service personnel about the benefits of SSI incentives. Furthermore, schools can offer assistance in applying for such benefits, career counseling catered to post-secondary students with disabilities, and promote employment of students with disabilities to local employers through outreach.

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