Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) — How to Save for Work Goals Without Losing SSI

What a PASS Plan Does

A Plan to Achieve Self-Support lets SSI recipients set aside income or resources that would normally count against their eligibility — and channel that money toward a specific work goal. The money you set aside under an approved PASS doesn't reduce your SSI check and doesn't count toward the $2,000 resource limit.

This is one of SSA's most powerful work incentives, and one of the least used. It turns income that would otherwise shrink your benefit into a dedicated fund for things like vocational training, college tuition, assistive technology, a vehicle for commuting, professional licensing fees, or starting a small business.

Who Can Use One

You need two things:

1. A source of income or resources to set aside — this can be SSDI, DAC benefits, wages, a small inheritance, or any other countable income
2. A feasible occupational goal — a specific job or self-employment objective that the plan's expenses will help you reach

PASS plans work especially well for people receiving both SSI and Title II benefits (SSDI or Disabled Adult Child). Without a PASS, the Title II income reduces the SSI check. With a PASS, you set aside the Title II payment for your work goal, and SSA calculates your SSI as if that income doesn't exist — effectively giving you both checks at full value while you pursue training or education.

What the Plan Must Include

PASS plans are submitted on Form SSA-545 and must contain:

• A clearly defined occupational goal (not "get a job" — something specific like "become a certified medical coder" or "open a pet grooming business")
• A timeline with milestones appropriate to the work goal
• An itemized budget showing what you'll spend the set-aside money on
• Evidence that the expenses are necessary to reach the goal (quotes, enrollment letters, equipment specifications)
• A statement of how the goal will reduce your dependence on SSI

The plan must show that you'll be able to earn enough to reduce or eliminate your need for SSI once the goal is achieved.

How SSA Reviews It

Your local SSA field office forwards the PASS to a PASS Cadre specialist — a dedicated reviewer who evaluates whether the goal is feasible and the expenses are reasonable. The specialist may request additional documentation (proof of enrollment, a letter from a vocational counselor, cost estimates from vendors).

If approved, keep receipts for every expenditure and follow the PASS Cadre specialist's instructions for progress reports and account records.

Common PASS Expenses

• College or vocational school tuition and fees
• Books, supplies, and specialized software
• Assistive technology (screen readers, adaptive keyboards, communication devices)
• Vehicle purchase or modification for commuting
• Professional certification or licensing fees
• Business startup costs (equipment, inventory, marketing)
• Work clothing or uniforms
• Transportation costs during training

Getting Help Writing a PASS

The plan must be detailed and well-documented — vague proposals get denied. Two free resources can help:

• WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) counselors can help with work-incentive planning and PASS preparation. In Washington, contact your regional WIPA provider for a free consultation.
• BenefitU — Washington's state-funded benefits planning portal for DDA-eligible clients age 14 and older — can also assist with PASS preparation.

Our Washington SSI at 18 & Adult Disability Benefits Guide explains how PASS fits into the broader work-incentive toolkit — including how to combine it with the Student Earned Income Exclusion, Section 1619(b) Medicaid protection, and Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities to maximize both income and coverage.

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