Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)

Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) is a work incentive available to individuals who receive SSDI and/or SSI.  An IRWE allows certain expenses, necessary to go to work, to be disregarded from the amount of earnings counted by Social Security Administration (SSA).

An IRWE expense must be:

• paid for out of your own pocket and not reimbursed by any other source;
• related to a serious health condition;
• necessary in order to work; and
• approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Possible IRWE Expenses:

• Attendant care costs in certain situations
• Modification costs for vehicles and other items
• Transportation costs in certain situations
• Medical device costs
• Medication costs
• Medical service expenses
• Out-of-pocket job coaching expenses

How can an IRWE help me?

• If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your SSI check is gradually reduced as your earnings increase.  The amount of an approved IRWE is deducted from the earnings counted by SSA, giving you a higher SSI check than you would otherwise receive.
• The cost of an IRWE may also be used when determining initial eligibility for SSDI and SSI to reduce the individual’s income below SGA.

What else do I need to know?

IRWE rules require that specific criteria be met and specific documentation be kept.  IRWEs also need to be approved by your local Social Security office before they can be considered to be in effect.

For more information about how IRWEs apply to your situation, contact the MN Work Incentives Connection.