Impairment-Related
Work Expense (IRWE)
for SSDI:
The
Impairment Related
Work Expense (IRWE)
is a work incentive
available to
individuals who
receive SSDI after
they have completed
their
Trial Work Period.
The IRWE allows a
person to deduct the
cost of certain
items and services
that they need to
work from their
gross wages. This
helps individuals to
maintain eligibility
for benefits longer
until they can work
to a level where
they are
self-sufficient.
How it Helps You:
While you are
working, if you pay
our-of-pocket
expenses to support
your work activity,
and these expenses
are related to your
disability, you may
qualify for an IRWE.
An IRWE allows you
to deduct those
expenses from your
earnings. The Social
Security
Administration will
not count those
expenses when they
compare your income
to
Substantial Gainful
Activity (SGA)
levels (in 2012 the SGA level is $1010).
For individuals
whose primary
disability on record
with the Social
Security
Administration is
blindness, the 2012 SGA level is $1,690.
This work
incentive is an
added support to you
once you have
completed the Trial
Work Period.
How it Works:
For an IRWE
deduction to be
allowable, the
following five
criteria must be
met:
-
The expenses
must be related
to an impairment
and
-
The expenses
must help you
work,
-
The expense must
be paid by you
and not
reimbursed by
another source,
-
The expense must
be paid within a
month in which
you work,
-
The expense must
be reasonable
Some examples of
IRWE expenses that
you pay out of
pocket may be
Supported Employment
Services, Attendant
Care, Transportation
Costs, Medical
Devices, Prosthesis,
Work-Related
Equipment and
Assistants,
medications,
therapies, etc.
To establish an IRWE,
you must submit the
cost of the expenses
in writing to the
local Social
Security Office with
an explanation of
how the expense
meets the above
criteria. IRWE’s
must be verified by
the Social Security
Administration
Claims
Representative by
showing them your
original receipts
and expenses. They
will approve IRWE’s
on a case by case
basis.
An
Indiana Works
Community Work
Incentives
Coordinator
will help you
identify what
expenses may be
applicable as
IRWE expenses.
The
Social Security
Administration
will determine what
qualifies as an IRWE.
