CENTER FOR EBPs

A CAUTIONARY TALE

Overpayments by benefits programs and mandatory paybacks can be avoided with monthly reports of income by consumers

—by Matthew K. Weiland and Paul M. Kubek

Here’s a situation you want to avoid. You’re working with a person who has been receiving cash benefits (non-earned income) for disability from the Social Security Administration (SSA). He gets a job and stops coming into the mental health agency for a few years. One day, he shows up with a letter from SSA informing him that he is required to pay back some benefits—$27,000 worth.

Steve Shober, BS, LSW, recounts this story from his experience as a vocational specialist and job coach in hopes that other service providers might help consumers avoid such a shocking situation. This is a cautionary tale of non-reporting, a parable of sorts. Here are the take-home tips:

• People who receive cash benefits from Social Security programs (e.g., SSI, SSDI) are required to report earned-income from their paychecks to Social Security.
• Not reporting income to Social Security can create some of the most panicked moments in a consumer’s recovery and exacerbate symptoms.
• Encourage consumers to report their income from jobs every month, so it becomes a regular routine. This will prevent the overpayment of benefits by Social Security to consumers and, thus, mandatory paybacks.
• Remind consumers regularly to submit their reports.

The Conversation

This is one installment in a collection of stories from conversations with Steve Shober, BS, LSW, about the importance of benefits planning. Steve is a former vocational specialist, job coach, and benefits counselor who works as a consultant and trainer at the Ohio Supported Employment CCOE. (Learn more about Steve.)

.MP3 PLAYLIST

1.) A Cautionary Tale of Non-Reporting (3m, 44s)

This man had to pay back $27,000 of cash benefits to Social Security but did not have the money to do so. It’s a story that has a resolution, but it’s a situation that can and should be avoided.

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2.) Sign Off (0m, 44s)

A production of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University—a partnership of the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case and the Department of Psychiatry at the Case School of Medicine.

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CONTINUE ON TO . . .

The Termination Story: Work Incentives May Help

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BENEFITS PLANNING SERIES

Get a list of all Benefits Planning eConsults.

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Matthew K. Weiland, MA, is senior writer and producer and Paul M. Kubek, MA, is director of communications at the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University—a partnership of the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case and the Department of Psychiatry at the Case School of Medicine.