THE PABSS PROGRAM MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR EMPLOYMENT GOALS!
The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) was established pursuant to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. You are entitled to receive PABSS services if you are a SSI or SSDI beneficiary based on disability or blindness AND if you need advocacy or other services in order to secure or regain gainful employment.
THE PABSS ADVOCATE MAY BE ABLE TO:
Investigate Complaints of Improper or Inadequate Services Against:
- Employers;
- The Rehabilitation Services Administration;
- Employment networks serving beneficiaries under the Ticket to Work program;
- One-stop agencies;
- And other Employment service providers
PROVIDE INFORMATION AND/OR REFERRAL REGARDING:
- SSA’s Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program;
- Work Incentives;
- Employment networks;
- Benefits planning;
- Employment services;
- And other Support Services
PROVIDE CONSULTATION OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR:
Employment-Related Issues Dealing With:
- Vocational Rehabilitation;
- Employment discrimination;
- Employment training;
- College programs;
- Transportation;
- Assistive Technology;
- SSI or SSDI Overpayments;
- Or anything else that presents a barrier to employment
PROVIDE TRAINING AND/OR COORDINATION WITH OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING:
- Benefit Specialists;
- Employment networks;
- Community-based Medicaid providers;
- District agencies;
- Workforce investment councils;
- SSA local offices;
- District senior high schools;
- And other community-based stakeholders that serve beneficiaries
If you think that you are in need of PABSS services, please contact ULS for a consultation
PABSS Objectives and Priorities 2022 |
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THE MISSION of Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services (DRDC) is to ensure that District of Columbia residents with disabilities have the legal rights to which they are entitled, including the right to be free from harm, the right to individual choice, and the right to full inclusion in the community. The following priorities and objectives reflect DRDC’s commitment to remove barriers to securing, maintaining, or regaining gainful employment for beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
a. Advocate for access to employment-related programs that lead to competitive employment at competitive wages. b. Provide information, referral, and advocacy services regarding services and supports that may impact a beneficiary’s ability to obtain, maintain, or retain employment, including but not limited to transportation services, personal care assistants, assistive technology, and healthcare.
a. Advocate for correct application of work incentive programs related to SSI and SSDI, including trial-work periods (TWP), extended periods of eligibility (EPE), impairment-related work expenses (IRWE), Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), continuing Medicaid coverage, and other programs. b. Assist beneficiaries in disputes before SSA and other public-benefits agencies related to overpayments that impede beneficiaries’ ability to secure, maintain, or regain employment.
CASE SELECTION CRITERIA DRDC accepts cases for Social Security beneficiaries who reside in the District of Columbia and whose complaint falls within the aforementioned priorities. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE While Disability Rights DC (DRDC) at University Legal Services (ULS) recognizes that every situation is important, please note that case acceptance is dependent upon available resources, including staff time. If your case is not accepted and you wish to file a grievance, please submit your grievance in writing to ULS’ Executive Director. Current clients may also submit a grievance to the Executive Director about the quality of DRDC’s representation and regarding a decision to close a case. In addition, an individual who receives mental health or other services, his/her family members or representatives may also submit a grievance regarding DRDC’s advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities and role as the DC protection and advocacy program. If requested, an individual may lodge an oral grievance with a DRDC staff member who shall put the grievance in writing and submit it to the Executive Director. The Executive Director may be reached at: Jane Brown, Executive Director The Executive Director shall respond in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of a grievance from any client or prospective client, or community member who has an interest in the operation of the protection and advocacy program. A grievant may appeal the Executive Director’s decision to the ULS Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the written decision of the Executive Director. The decision of the ULS Board of Directors shall be final and not subject to further appeal or review. Client confidentiality shall be maintained. The Executive Director shall report grievances to the Board of Directors annually. |
Learn more about Disability Rights DC
- Programs
- Disability Rights DC - Client Assistance Program
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology
- Disability Rights DC - DC Jail and Prison Advocacy Project
- Disability Rights DC - Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
This document is funded through a Social Security grant. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication. This web page was created at U. S. Taxpayer expense.