Disability Terms and Definitions

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) The level of work activity used to establish disability. A finding of disability requires that a person be unable to engage in SGA. Benefit Percentage The benefit payable is usually determined as a percentage of the insured's pre-disability income up to an overall maximum benefit amount. SSI State Supplement A cash benefit authorized by Ch. 49.77 and 49.775, Wis. Stats. This benefit is intended to supplement the federal SSI benefit payment. Eligibility is based on current receipt of federal SSI benefits or special "grandfathered" status as a recipient of the state supplement only. Cost-of-living adjustments Each January, your benefits will increase automatically if the cost of living has gone up. For example, if the cost of living has increased by 2 percent, your benefits also will increase by 2 percent. Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) Under an approved PASS, recipients of federal SSI may set aside income and/or resources over a period of time to reach a goal to become financially self supporting. The income and resources set aside may later be used to obtain occupational training or education, purchase occupational equipment, establish a business, etc. Windfall Offset A provision to prevent a person from receiving monthly SSI and OASDI benefits in excess of the total amount which would have been paid if the OASDI benefits had been paid when they were due rather than retroactively. Ticket to Work program The Ticket to Work program provides disabled beneficiaries with expanded options for access to employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services. Blind Work Expenses (SSI) If you are blind, when we determine your SSI eligibility and payment amount we do not count any earned income that you use to meet expenses in earning the income. Partial Conservatorship This type of Conservatorship/Guardianship generally applies to the developmentally disabled and restricts the areas in which the Conservator/Guardian may act on behalf of the individual.

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	Did You Know?
	Certificate of Need (CON) is issued to health care providers Is a certificate issued by a government body to a health care provider who is proposing to construct, modify, or expand facilities, or to offer new or different types of health services. CON is intended to prevent duplication of services and overbedding. The certificate signifies that the change has been approved.