SSA Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

Quick Facts

• Purpose: Allows SSI recipients to set aside income or resources for education, equipment, transportation, or business start-up costs needed to reach a vocational goal—without cutting the SSI payment.
• Biggest advantage: Money saved in a PASS is excluded from SSI income and resource calculations, so you can build capital for school, certifications, or entrepreneurship.
• Who benefits most: Individuals with clear job goals—like becoming a pharmacy tech, launching an online store, or completing a bachelor’s degree—who need a structured way to fund expenses.
• Time horizon: Plans can last months or several years, as long as milestones are realistic and you provide periodic progress updates to SSA.
• Support team: PASS Cadre specialists help refine budgets, documentation, and timelines to increase approval odds.

Why PASS Matters Now

Despite being one of SSA’s most powerful work incentives, PASS remains underused. Rising tuition, certification fees, and transportation costs deter many SSI recipients from pursuing higher-paying jobs. PASS bridges that gap by letting you shield income—wages, SSDI payments, even gifts—and redirect it toward costs that make future employment possible. Because the plan is individualized, you can tailor it to apprenticeships, graduate school, assistive technology, or small business launch expenses. Approved plans also reinforce your commitment to self-support, helping you meet Ticket to Work progress benchmarks or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) training requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must:

1. Receive SSI or become eligible after PASS deductions. Some SSDI beneficiaries who do not currently qualify for SSI can use PASS to exclude countable income and gain SSI access.
2. Set a feasible work goal that will reduce or eliminate reliance on SSI within a reasonable timeframe.
3. Identify specific expenses—tuition, books, tools, childcare, vehicle modifications, business equipment—that are necessary to reach the goal.
4. Provide a timeline and monthly budget showing how funds will be set aside and spent.

Application Steps

1. Draft your goal: Define a specific occupation and target wage. SSA looks for clear links between the goal and reduced SSI dependence.
2. List expenses: Research actual costs (tuition invoices, equipment quotes, mileage estimates). Attach vendor documentation whenever possible.
3. Complete Form SSA-545-BK: This form captures your goal, income to be set aside, expense schedule, and progress milestones. Be thorough—vague plans are denied quickly.
4. Consult the PASS Cadre: Each region has PASS specialists who can review drafts, suggest stronger documentation, and flag missing details before submission.
5. Submit and respond: Mail or deliver the application to your local SSA office. Answer follow-up questions promptly; you may need to revise budgets or clarify timelines.
6. Track expenditures: Keep receipts and bank statements. SSA will review your plan periodically and may ask for proof that funds are used exactly as approved.

Maximizing Your PASS

• Stack funding: Combine PASS savings with Pell Grants, Vocational Rehabilitation support, ABLE accounts, or state assistive technology loans to cover full program costs.
• Automate deposits: Set up a dedicated PASS bank account and schedule transfers each pay period to avoid mixing funds with personal spending.
• Update proactively: If prices rise or you need different tools, submit amendments before spending outside the approved plan.
• Plan for completion: Outline how you will transition off SSI—projected wages, employer benefits, and backup strategies such as Medicaid Buy-In to maintain healthcare.
• Document progress: Keep a portfolio of transcripts, certifications, business licenses, or sales receipts that show movement toward your goal.

Common Questions

Can PASS cover living expenses? Only if the cost is directly tied to the work goal—for example, rent near a training site when relocation is required, or childcare during approved classes.

What if my goal changes? You can modify or replace your PASS, but you must explain why the original plan is no longer feasible and how the new goal leads to self-support.

Does PASS affect other benefits? Funds set aside in an approved PASS are excluded from SSI resource limits and do not count as income for Medicaid eligibility in most states.

Insider Tips to Win PASS Approval

• Use labor market data (O*NET, Bureau of Labor Statistics) to show demand and wages for your chosen occupation.
• Include letters of support from VR counselors, instructors, or business mentors verifying that your plan is realistic.
• Break large purchases into phases—SSA is more likely to approve staged expenses with clear deliverables.
• Request written confirmation whenever SSA approves an amendment; keep copies in your PASS binder in case staff change.
• Pair your PASS with Ticket to Work services so an Employment Network can help you stay on schedule, report income accurately, and prepare for full-time employment.