You want to work. You want to build something meaningful. But every dollar you save can feel like it pushes you closer to losing the benefits that keep you stable. A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) changes that dynamic. This program allows SSI beneficiaries to set aside money for education, job training, assistive technology, or even starting a business without those funds counting against their eligibility.
Disability Services of America supports SSI beneficiaries at every stage of the PASS process. We help you define a realistic vocational goal, create a detailed budget, complete forms, and collect the documentation the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires. After approval, we remain involved to answer questions, track milestones, and submit progress reports, ensuring your benefits remain protected as you move toward independence.
What Is a Plan to Achieve Self-Support?
A PASS is a written agreement between you and the SSA that lets you dedicate income or resources to a specific work-related goal. The SSA doesn't count the money you set aside under an approved PASS as income or a resource when determining SSI eligibility or payment amounts. As a result, you can save more, invest in training, or purchase equipment without triggering benefit reductions or disqualification.
The program exists to help people with disabilities prepare for and secure employment that reduces or eliminates the need for SSI. Your plan must outline a realistic and achievable goal, and clearly explain how setting aside funds will help you reach it. SSA reviews each proposal to confirm that it is feasible, specific, and properly documented.
Who Qualifies for a PASS?
To use a PASS, you must already receive SSI or become eligible once the SSA approves your plan. You also need income or resources to set aside, such as wages, SSDI payments, gifts, or other sources of income. The program serves people who have a clear vocational objective but need time and financial support to achieve it. You do not need to be currently employed. You only need a goal that can reasonably lead to work.
What Can a PASS Pay For?
A PASS offers flexibility. If an expense helps you reach your vocational goal, it likely qualifies. Typical eligible expenses include:
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Tuition and fees. Education costs for degrees, certification programs, or specialized courses.
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Books and supplies. Required study materials, software, and equipment.
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Assistive technology. Tools such as screen readers, mobility devices, or modified keyboards.
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Transportation. Vehicle payments, insurance, fuel, or other transportation needs related to work or school.
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Business startup costs. Licenses, permits, inventory, marketing materials, and equipment.
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Child care. Care expenses allow you to attend classes or training. If you need someone to watch your children while you learn or train, you can include those costs.
Your plan must clearly connect each expense to your vocational goal. The SSA looks for a direct link between the money you set aside and the employment outcome you plan to achieve.
What the SSA Requires
Creating a PASS requires completing Form SSA-545-BK and submitting a detailed, well-organized plan. The SSA expects specificity. You must identify your work goal, explain why you need the plan, list all anticipated expenses, and provide a timeline for each step. Your budget must reflect realistic costs, and your goal must align with your health, education, and circumstances.
You also need to document the source of the set-aside funds. The SSA reviews this closely because a PASS allows you to use income or resources that would otherwise count against SSI eligibility. Whether the funds come from SSDI payments, wages, or gifts, your application must clearly document each source of income.
How the Approval Process Works
After submission, an SSA PASS specialist reviews your plan. They may request clarification, ask for additional information, or suggest revisions. While approval is not automatic, well-prepared and realistic plans receive approval regularly.
Once the SSA approves your PASS, you must follow it closely. You can use the funds only for approved expenses and must both keep receipts and submit progress reports. Your plan includes milestones with target dates. If your situation changes or your timeline needs adjustment, you can request a modification.
What Happens If You Don't Follow the Plan?
If you stop making progress, spend PASS funds on unapproved expenses, or fail to submit required documentation, the SSA can terminate your plan. When that happens, the set-aside money becomes countable again, and your SSI payments may decrease or stop. Staying organized, keeping records, and communicating changes to the SSA are essential to protecting your benefits.
Why a PASS Is Worth the Effort
The administrative work is real. Forms, receipts, timelines, and check-ins can feel overwhelming, especially when you are managing disability and planning for the future. But the payoff is substantial. A PASS lets you save money, invest in your skills, and pursue financial independence without constantly worrying about losing your safety net.
For people who want to work but need time to prepare, a PASS provides breathing room. It recognizes that building a career requires resources and that SSI recipients deserve the opportunity to invest in their own development. While the program is not perfect, it often makes the difference between long-term dependence on benefits and lasting self-sufficiency.
If you have a vocational goal and the means to pursue it, a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can protect your benefits while you move forward. The process requires planning, documentation, and follow-through; however, the reward of greater independence and stability is well worth the effort.
You don't have to navigate a PASS on your own. Disability Services of America provides clear guidance, prompt answers, and personalized support throughout the entire process. From drafting your initial plan to staying compliant after approval, we understand the SSA's requirements and know what strengthens an application. Our goal is to remove confusion, keep you organized, and ensure your benefits stay protected while you build the career you deserve.