97-14345. Administration of Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS); Public Forum

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29758-29759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14345]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Administration of Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS); Public 
Forum

Agency: Social Security Administration (SSA).
Action: Notice

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Date: Thursday, June 5, 1997, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Addresses: Federal Building Auditorium, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, 
California 94612.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Type of Meeting: The forum is open to the public. Individuals/
organizations wishing to make statements at the forum should register 
with the Social Security Administration (SSA) prior to the date of the 
forum.
    Purpose: SSA is seeking information and suggestions from the public 
about its administration of Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), a 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provision. SSI is a federal needs-
based program. Under this program, PASS is intended to increase an 
individual's potential to be self-supporting. It encourages disabled 
and blind individuals to return to work by allowing certain income and 
resources to be excluded from consideration in SSI eligibility 
determinations and benefit computations. In so doing, the income and 
resources used for goods and services he or she purchases in order to 
complete the PASS will not be considered as countable income and 
resources which could be used for food, clothing and shelter, and may 
allow the person to receive payments up to the monthly SSI federal 
benefit rate (plus any State supplementary payment). In order for the 
provision to apply, the PASS, among other things, must be approved by 
SSA. The PASS among other things, must stipulate a specific 
occupational goal, and specify the income and resources to be excluded 
and how they would be used toward attaining the goal.
    While any information and all views about PASS are welcome, SSA is 
focusing on the following issues:
    SSA is responsible for evaluating the feasibility of occupational 
goals under a PASS. What standards should SSA use to determine if an 
occupational goal is feasible for a particular individual?
    SSA must also discern a link between the goods and services sought 
through a PASS and the stated goal. What elements should we expect to 
be present in a plan to demonstrate such a connection?
    What types of goods and services are appropriate for a PASS? What 
types of goods and services are inappropriate for a PASS? How should 
SSA evaluate whether the planned costs are reasonable?
    In response to concerns about PASS outcomes, how should SSA define 
success for the purposes of a PASS?
    PASS recipients must demonstrate progress under an approved PASS. 
How should this progress be evaluated by SSA?
    Agenda: The forum will start at 9:00 a.m. with opening statements 
by representatives from the Social Security Administration providing a 
historical perspective of the PASS provision.
    The remainder of the agenda will be devoted to the presentation of 
oral statements by members of the public. Statements will be limited to 
5 minutes per speaker. Persons wishing to provide oral testimony should 
contact Pamela Reim of the SSA Regional Public Affairs Office in San 
Francisco, California to reserve time to speak. Persons who cannot 
attend the forum but wish to provide information or views for the 
Agency's consideration can send written statements to: Social Security

[[Page 29759]]

Administration, PASS Testimony, P. O. Box 17746, Baltimore, MD 21235.
    SSA will allow unscheduled testimony from members of the public. 
However, depending on the number of individuals/organizations wishing 
to present statements, the time allotted for unscheduled testimony may 
be limited.
    For further information about the forum and to register for 
presentations, contact: Pamela Reim, Telephone: [phone], FAX: 
[phone], E-Mail: [e-mail].
    For further information about PASS, including information about any 
future forums, you may also contact Steve Fear at [phone], or 
Ray Marzoli at [phone].

    Dated: May 28, 1997.
Marilyn O'Connell,
Acting Associate Commissioner for Program Benefits Policy.
[FR Doc. 97-14345 Filed 5-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P