Disability Terms and Definitions

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. Survivor Benefit The survivor benefit is a lump sum payment that will provide benefits to the insured's eligible waiting period can also be the time period between when a disability occurs and when payments from the disability insurance policy begin. Auxiliary Aids and Services Devices or services that accommodate a functional limitation of a person with a communication disability. Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) Under an approved PASS, recipients of federal SSI may set aside income and/or resources over a period of time to reach a goal to become financially self supporting. The income and resources set aside may later be used to obtain occupational training or education, purchase occupational equipment, establish a business, etc. Indexing Indexing is designed to provide some protection against inflation. After the first year of disability, a disabled employee's pre-disability earnings are usually increased (or indexed) by a certain percentage on an annual basis. Mental disorder In DSM-III, a mental disorder is conceptualized as a clinically significant behavioral or psychologic syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and that typically is associated with either a painful symptom (distress) or impairment in one or more important areas of functioning (disability). Work Incentives/Employment Support SSA policies that help disability beneficiaries go to work and receive benefits in an attempt to become more independent. IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Benefit Year The 52 consecutive weeks for which you are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. The benefit year begins on the day that you file for unemployment benefits. Ticket to Work program The Ticket to Work program provides disabled beneficiaries with expanded options for access to employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services.

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	Did You Know?
	EPSDT stands for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program A program mandated by law as part of the Medicaid program. The law requires that all states have in effect a program for eligible children under age 21 to ascretain their physical or mental defects and to provide such health care treatments and other measures to correct or ameliorate defects and chronic conditions discovered. The state programs also have active outreach components to inform eligible persons of the benefits available to them, to provide screening, and if necessary, to assist in obtaining appropriate treatment.