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PABSS
Program
What
is PABSS?
The
PABSS program is a federally funded program that was established
under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act of 1999. The Act
authorizes the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fund each
state's protection and advocacy system to provide work incentive
assistance to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries seeking vocational rehabilitation,
employment and other support services to secure, retain or regain
employment.
PABSS
Services
PABSS
provides:
-
individual
representation and assistance;
-
protection
of rights;
-
information
and referral for SSA beneficiaries;
-
information
and referral for non-beneficiaries; and
-
systems
advocacy.
The PABSS
program also pursues system advocacy to identify and address deficiencies
in those systems that provide services and or support to individuals
seeking to work.
In addition
to providing assistance to individuals with disabilities, PABSS
staff are available for speaking engagements, in-service presentations,
workshops and seminars on beneficiary rights in SSA programs, including
the Ticket to Work Program and other work incentive programs.
Who
is Eligible for PABSS Services?
You
should contact PABSS if you are an SSA beneficiary, family member,
individual with a disability(ies), employer, attorney, government
agency, service provider, community organization, or advocacy group
and:
-
you need
education and training about employment, work incentives, and
other work related issues, including available civil rights
protection under the law.
-
you need
information or referral related to the services and assistance
that may be available to SSA beneficiaries in return to work
efforts, including methods to apply for and access those services.
SSA
beneficiaries should also contact PABSS if they need help with:
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investigating
or filing a complaint of improper or inadequate service assistance
involving a vocational provider, work incentive planner, employer
or other entity involved with return to work efforts.
-
the resolution
of complaints through mediation, negotiation or other good faith
dispute resolution efforts.
-
legal
counsel and litigation services when such services become necessary
to protect your rights as an SSA beneficiary under the law.
Useful
Links
Social
Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov
New Jersey
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
http://www.nj.gov/labor/dvrs/vrsindex.html
Social
Security Disability Resource Center
http://www.ssdrc.com
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