Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and have a specific vocational goal, PASS may help you reach it. PASS allows you to save money for school, buying a modified vehicle, paying for new business start-up costs, or other expenses related to becoming self-sufficient. Using a PASS allows you to set aside income from employment and/or your SSDI check in order to save for these special expenses, while continuing to receive an SSI check to pay your daily living expenses.
Basically, a portion of your earnings and/or SSDI cash payment are not considered in calculating the SSI payment. This means your SSI payment will not decrease when you work.
The funds you are using for your PASS must be kept separate from other money, and you must keep records of your PASS expenses. Any changes in the amount of money put into your PASS account must be approved by the Social Security Administration.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a group of staff members, called the PASS Cadre, who can help you understand all the aspects of a PASS. The PASS Cadre coordinates PASS activities from start to finish, and can help you in preparing your PASS application.
To contact the St. Paul PASS Cadre, which serves most of Minnesota, call:
651-290-0304 or 1-800-551-9796
If your last name begins with A-L, ask for Nellie Adrover, extension 23040.
If your last name begins with M-Z, ask for Mark Vevea, extension 23074.
To contact the Denver PASS Cadre, which serves the Fergus Falls, Moorhead, East Grand Forks and Crookston areas of Minnesota, call:
1-800-551-1034
If your last name begins with A-L, ask for Muoi Nguyen, extension 35011.
If your last name begins with M-Z, ask for Diane Vider, extension 35009
Your request for a PASS must be in writing and approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are two different applications you can use to request a PASS:
The Connection's PASS form is a Microsoft Excel document. The form is composed of many worksheets (tabs at the bottom of the document). To print the whole PASS form, you must choose the "Print Entire Workbook" option from the print menu.
Click below for an annotated copy of the Connection's PASS form, which includes tips for completing your PASS application:
If you have questions, contact the MN Work Incentives Connection or the PASS Cadre representative assigned to your case.
