2173.What is the purpose of work incentives for the blind and disabled?
SSI payments provide a basic level of support for blind or disabled individuals with low earnings ability due to their impairments. A number of work incentive provisions have been incorporated into the SSI program. The purposes of the work incentives are to:
Enable blind and disabled individuals to return to work;
Increase their levels of work activity without the loss of SSI disability status; and/or
Have their SSI benefits protected from reduction based on the increased earnings.
In most States, they also permit continued Medicaid coverage after cash payments end.
Last Revised: Oct. 7, 2004