Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
The Social Security Administration has given funding to each state P&A System to provide protection and advocacy services to beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) with disabilities. The purpose of the PABSS program is to provide information, assistance, advice, and individual representation to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities regarding vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, and other support services from employment networks and other service providers that eligible beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain or retain gainful employment. The following are the priorities of the PABSS program:
- Provide education and training to Social Security beneficiaries and their families, as well as to community and governmental providers about rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other employment laws, Social Security work incentives information, and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.
- Provide information and referral services to Social Security beneficiaries needed to secure, regain or retain gainful employment.
- Provide advice and technical assistance to Social Security beneficiaries seeking vocational rehabilitation services, employment services and other support services from employment networks and other service providers.
- Provide advocacy and representation to Social Security beneficiaries when such services become necessary to protect the employment rights of such beneficiaries.
- Coordinate with other entities that have responsibilities to assist Social Security beneficiaries on employment issues to ensure that proper services and referrals are being provided.
- Assist Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities in disputes before SSA involving work-related program decisions and benefits overpayments that are clearly a barrier to obtaining employment. Because of the expected demand for assistance with these cases, PABSS will explore other possible resources to assist with these cases including the private bar and law students.
- Advocate to identify and correct deficiencies in entities providing vocational rehabilitation services, employment services and other support services to beneficiaries with disabilities, including reporting to the program manager on identified deficiencies related to employment networks and other concerns related to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program.
