Purpose of PASS Program

This program is to:

• Support SSDI recipients in reaching employment goals without losing benefits.
• Allow saving of funds for education, training, or business start-up costs.
• Promote independence by reducing financial barriers to work.

Who Qualifies for PASS?

Eligibility criteria include:

• Being an SSDI beneficiary with a disabling condition.
• Having a clear work goal you are aiming to achieve.
• Planning expenses related to reaching this goal.

Components of a PASS Plan

A typical PASS plan includes:

• Detailed description of your employment goal.
• Timeframe to achieve the goal.
• Resources and income set aside for expenses like training or equipment.

Benefits of PASS Program

When approved, PASS lets you:

• Exclude income and resources allocated to your plan from SSA’s count.
• Retain SSDI benefits while improving job skills or searching for work.
• Access education or rehabilitation without penalty.

Application Process in New Mexico

To apply, you need to:

• Submit a written PASS plan to your local SSA office.
• Provide documentation supporting your goals and expenses.
• Work with an SSA representative to finalize and approve your plan.

Common Challenges

Watch for these issues:

• Incomplete or unclear goal descriptions in the plan.
• Failure to document expenses adequately.
• Plans that don’t clearly support a work objective.