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The Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)

The Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) is a work incentive that allows an individual to set aside income and/or resources for a specified period of time to achieve a work goal. It can be used to support a number of expenses related to employment goals including tuition, fees, books, and supplies for school or training programs; supported employment services including a job coach; attendant care; equipment and tools needed to work; and transportation. The basic requirements include a feasible and reasonable occupational goal; a defined timetable; the need for income or resources, other than SSI benefits, to be set aside; and an explanation of expenditures to be covered by the set-aside funds. The most likely candidates for a PASS incentive are students who currently are receiving SSI benefits, want to work and have work goals in their IEP, are in school or a training program or plan to complete postsecondary training, or who plan to start their own business.

It is possible to incorporate a PASS into the IEP/transition plan of a student. To receive a PASS, a student must complete a PASS application and submit it to the local Social Security Administration office. Each PASS is reviewed for approval by the local PASS cadre. This process can take up to three months to complete. Anyone may help a student develop a PASS, including special education teachers and other school personnel, vocational counselors, social workers, employers, and private PASS vendors.

For further information contact your local Social Security Administration office.

Adapted with permission from The Study Group, Inc. and The Institute on Community Integration (1998). Meeting the needs of youth with disabilities: Handbook on Supplemental Security Income work incentives and transition students. Minneapolis: Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota.

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