Form SSA-545 Plan to Achieve Self-Support

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

SSA-545 Revised

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

OMB: 0960-0559

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 0960-0559 can be found here:

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Form Approved
OMS No. 0960-0559

Social Security Administration

Date Received

PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUPPORT
In order to minimize recontacts or processing delays, please complete al/
questions and provide thorough explanations where requested. If you need
additional space to answer any questions, use the Remarks section or a
separate sheet of paper.

Name ____________________________________

SSN _____________________

PART I • YOUR WORK GOAL
A. What is your work goal? (Show the job you expect to have at the end of the plan. Be as specific

as possible. If you cannot be specific, provide as much information as possible on the type of

work you plan to do. If you do not yet have a specific goal and will be working with a vocational

professional to find a suitable job match, show "VR Evaluation" and be sure to complete Part II,

question F on page 4.)

If your plan involves paying for job coaching, show the number of hours ofjQb coaching you will
per 0 week D month (check one).
receive when you begin working.
Show the number of hours of job coaching you expect to receive after the plan is completed.
per 0 week 0 month (check one).
B. Describe the duties and tasks you expect to perform in this job. Be as specific as possible.

C. How did you decide on this work goal and what makes this type of work attractive to you?

D. Is a license required to perform this work goal?

YES

(If yes, include the steps you will follow to get a license in Part III.)

E. How much do you expect to earn each week/month (gross) after your plan is completed?
$
per 0 week 0 month (check one)
Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005)

(11-2005)

Page 1

PART I - YOUR WORK GOAL (Continued)

F. If your work goal involves self-employment, explain why working for yourself will make you more
self-supporting than working for someone else.

-----------------------------------

IMPORTANT: If you plan to start your own business, attach a detailed business plan.

The business plan must include:

• the type of business;
• products or services to be offered by your business;

• the advertising plan;
• a description of the market for the business;

• technical assistance needed;
• tools, supplies, and equipment needed;

• a profit-and-Ioss projection for the duration of the PASS and at least one year beyond its completion.

Also include a description of how you intend to make this business succeed.

For assistance in preparing a business plan, contact the Small Business Administration, Chamber of

Commerce, local banks, or other business owners.

G. Have you ever submitted a Plan to Achieve Self Support
(PASS) to Social Security?
Was a PASS ever approved for you?

YES

DYES

NO If "no," skip to H.

o NO

If "no," skip to H.

When was your most recent plan approved (month/year)?

What was your work goal in that plan? __________________________

Did you complete that PASS?

DYES

DNO

If no, why weren't you able to complete it? ________________________________

If yes, why weren't you able to become self-supporting? ____________________

Why do you believe that this new plan you are requesting will help you go to work? _ _ _ __

H.Have you assigned your "Ticket to Work"?
0 YES
0 NO ~~~~'I': skip to
Show name, address and telephone number of the person or organization it was assigned to.

Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005) af (11-2005)

Page 2

PART 11- MEDICALNOCATIONALIEDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
A. List all your disabling illnesses, injuries, or condition(s).

----------------------------

B. Describe any limitations you have because of your disability (e.g., limited amount of standing or
lifting, stooping, bending, or walking; difficulty concentrating; unable to work with other people,
difficulty handling stress, etc.) Be specific.

In light of the limitations you described, how will you carry out the duties of your work goal?

C. List the jobs you have had most often in the past few years. Also list any jobs, including
volunteer work, which are similar to your work goal or which provided you with skills that may
help you perform the work goal. List the dates you worked in these jobs. Identify periods of
self-employment. If you were in the Army, list your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code;
for the Air Force, list your Air Force Speciality code (AFSC); and for the Navy, Marine Corps,
and Coast Guard, list your rank.
Job Title

Type of
Business

Dates Worked
To
From
I
I

I
I
I
I
I
I

,I
I
I
I
I

I
I
I

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
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I

Fonn SSA·545-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 3

PART 11- MEDICAlNOCATIONALlEDUCATIONAl BACKGROUND (Continued)
Select the highest grade of school completed.

Do 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

o GED or 0

High School Equivalency

College:

08 09 010 011 012
0 1 0 2 0 3 04 or 0 more

0 YES
Were you awarded a college or postgraduate degree?
Wh en d I'd you graduate?
What type of degree did you receive? (AA, BA, BS, MBA, etc.)?
In what field of study?

If "no," skip to E.

-----------------

E. Have you completed any type of special job training, trade or vocational
school?

DYES

ONO

If "no ..
skip
F.

Type of training
Date completed
Did you receive a certificate or license?

DYES

o NO

If "no," skip to F.

What kind of certificate or license did you receive? ______________________________

Have you ever had or expect to have a vocational evaluation or an
Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (lWRP) or an Individualized Plan
for Employment (lPE)?

DYES

ONO
If "no,"
skip to G.

If "YES," attach a copy of the evaluation. If you cannot attach a copy, when were you
evaluated (or when do you expect to be evaluated) and when was the IWRP or IPE done ( or
when do you expect it to be done)?
Show the name, address, and phone number of the person or organization who evaluated you
(or will evaluate you) or who prepared the IWRP or IPE (or will prepare the IWRP or IPE.)

G. If you have a college degree or specialized training, and your plan includes additional education
or training, explain why the education/training you already received is not sufficient to allow you
to be self-supporting.

Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 4

PART 111- YOUR PLAN
I want my Plan to begin
(month/year)
( This should be the date you started or will start working towards your goal. )
and my Plan to end
(month/year)
(This should be the date you expect to start working in your job goal.)
List the sequential steps that you have taken or will take to reach your work goal starting with your
begin date above and concluding with your expected end date above. Be as speci'fic as possible. If
you are or will be attending school, show the number of courses you will take each quarter/semester
and attach a copy of the degree program or plan that shows the courses you will study. Include the
final steps to find a job once you have obtained the tools, education, services, etc., that you need.

Step

Form SSA·545-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Beginning Date

PageS

Completion Date

PART IV - EXPENSES
A.

Do you propose to purchase or lease a vehicle?
VES
NO
If "no,"
If yes, list the purchase or lease of the vehicle as one of
the steps in Part III and complete the following:
~~j~~~~ 7
1. Explain why less expensive forms of transportation (e.g., public transportation, cabs) will not
allow you to reach your work goal. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

2. Do you currently have a valid driver's license?

DVES

DNO

If "yes "
skip to'3

If no, does Part III include the steps you will follow to get a driver's
license?

DVES

DNO

If "yes,"
skip to 3

If no, who will drive the vehicle? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
How will it be used to help you with your work goal?

3. Do you already own a vehicle?
If yes, explain why you need another vehicle to reach your work goal.

DVES ONO
If "no,"
skip to 4

4. Describe the type of vehicle you propose to purchase or lease:
Make: _______________________________________________________
Model: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Year: __________________________________________
Purchase price: _______________________________
OR Lease price: ____________________________________
5. If the vehicle is new, explain why a used vehicle is not sufficient to meet your work goal.

Form SSA·545·BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 6

Part IV - EXPENSES (Continued)

If y~u propose to purchase a computer or other major equipment. describe the computer or
eqUipment you will purchase, including the cost for each item.

Do you already own a computer?
YES
NO

If yes. explain why you need another computer to reach your work goal.

Please explain why you need the capabilites of the particular computer and/or equipment you
identified.

Other than the items identified in A through 0 above, list the items or services you are buying or
renting or will need to buy or rent in order to reach your work goal. Be as specific as possible. If
schooling is an item, list tuition, fees, books, etc. as separate items. List the cost for the entire
length of time you will be in school. Where applicable, include brand and model number of the
item. (Do not include expenses you were paying prior to the beginning of your plan; only
expenses incurred since the beginning of your plan can be approved.)
NOTE: Be sure that Part III shows when you will purchase these items or services or training.

1. Item/service/training: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Total Cost: $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Vendor/provider: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?
How will this help you reach your work goal?

Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 7

Part IV - EXPENSES (Continued)

2. ~m~eN~~rnini~:_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Total Cost: $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~
Vendor/provider: _~~~~~~~~_~_ _ _~_ _ _ _~_~~~_ _
How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?

How will this help you reach your work goal?

3. Item/service/training:._~_ _~_~_~~~_~~~~~_~~~~~~~
To~ICost:$

__________________________________________________

Vendor/provider:~_~~~~~_~~~_~~~~~_~~_ _~~~~_

How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?

How will this help you reach your work goal?

------------------------------

4. Item/service/training:._~~~~~~~_~_ _ _~~~~_ _~~~~_ _
Total Cost: $ ______________________________________
Vendor/provider:,_ _ _ _~~~_~~_~_ _ _ _ _~_ _ _ _ _~_ __
How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?

How will this help you reach your work goal?

5. Item/seNice/training:_ _ _ _ _~~_ _ _~~~_ _ _ _~_ _ _~~~_
Total Cost: $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Vendor/provider: _ _~~~_~~~~~_ _ _ _~_ _ _~~~~_ __
How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?

How will this help you reach your work goal?

Form SSA·545·BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 8

Part IV - EXPENSES (Continued)

6. Item/service/training: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Total Cost: $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Vendor/provider:._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
How will you pay for this item (one-time payment, installment or monthly payments)?

How will this help you reach your work goal? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Will any of the items, services or training costs be reimbursed to you or paid by any other
source, person or organization?
YES
NO
If yes, be sure to complete Part V, question F on page 11.

CURRENT LIVING EXPENSES

G. What are your current living expenses each month?
$ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Include aI/living expenses:
• Rent, Mortgage, Property Taxes,
• Property/Personal Insurance,
• Utilities, Phone, Cable, Internet.
• Food, Groceries.
• Automobile Gas, Repair and Maintenance. Public Transportation.
• Clothes, Personal Items, Laundry/Dry Cleaning.
• Medical, Dental, Prescription,
• Entertainment, Charity Contributions, etc.

/month

H. If the amount of income you will have available for living expenses after making payments or
saving money for your plan is less than your current living expenses, explain how you will pay
for your living expenses.

Form SSA·545·BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 9

PART V - FUNDING FOR WORK GOAL
A.

Do you plan to use any items you already own (e.g., equipment or property) to reach your work
goal?
YES
NO

If "no," skip to B. If yes, show the items you will use that you already own:
Item _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
How will this help you reach your work goal? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Item _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

How will this help you reach your work goal? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Item
How will this help you reach your work goal?

Have you saved any money to pay for the expenses listed on pages 6-9 in Part IV? (Include
cash on hand or money in a bank account.)
0 YES 0 NO

If "yes," how much have you saved?

List the income you receive or expect to receive below. (Include Social Security benefits,
wages, self-employment, assistance, royalties, pensions, dividends, prizes, insurance, support
payments, etc.)
Type of Income

Amount

Frequency (Weekly, Monthly, Yearly)

How much of this income will you set aside to pay for the vehicle, computer, major equipment
and other items, sevices and training listed in Part IV?

Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005) af (11-2005)

Page 10

Part V - FUNDING FOR WORK GOAL (Continued)
E.

Do you plan to save any or all of this income for a future purchase which is necessary to
complete your goal?
DYES

D NO If "no," skip to F.

If "yes," you will need to keep this money separate from other money you have. How will you
keep the money separate? (If you will keep the savings in a separate bank account, give the
name and address of the bank and the account number.)

---------------------------

Will any other person or organization (e.g., grants, assistance, or Vocational Rehabilitation
agency) pay for or reimburse you for any part of the expenses listed in Part IV or provide any
other items or services you will need?
DYES D NO If "no," skip to Part VI.

If "yes," provide details as follows:

Who Will Pay

Item/Service

Amount

When will the iteml
service be purchased?

Part VI - OTHER CONTACTS

Did someone help you prepare this plan?
DYES 0 NO

If yes, give the name, address and telephone number of that person or organization:

Name ____________________________________________________________

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

City, State and Zip Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Telephone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

E-mail address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Are they charging you a fee for this service?

DYES DNO

If yes, how much are they charging? ________________________________

Fonn SSA·545·BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 11

Part VI· OTHER CONTACTS (Continued)

May we contact them if we need additional information about your plan?

YES

Do you want us to send them a copy of our decision on your plan?
If yes, please submit a Consent for Release of Information, form SSA-3288.

YES

(If you also wish to authorize this person or organization to act on your behalf in matters
perlaining to this plan, please submit an Appointment of Representative, form SSA 1696.)

PART VII - REMARKS
Use this section or a separate sheet of paper if you need additional space to answer any questions:

Form SSA-S45-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 12

PART VIII - AGREEMENT
If my plan is approved, I agree to:

o Comply with all of the terms and conditions of the plan as approved by the Social Security
Administration (SSA).

o Report any changes in my plan to SSA immediately.
o Keep records and receipts of all expenditures I make under the plan until asked to provide
them to SSA.

o Use the income or resources set aside under the plan only to buy the items or services
shown in the plan as approved by SSA.

o Report any changes that may affect the amount of my SSI payment immediately.

(For

example: income, resources, living arrangement, marital status.)
I realize that if I do not comply with the terms of the plan or if I use the income or resources set aside
under my plan for any other purpose, SSA will count the income or resources that were excluded and
I may have to repay the additional SSI I received.
I also realize that SSA may not approve any expenditure for which I do not submit receipts or other
. proof of payment.

I declare under penalty of perjury that I have examined all the information on this form, and on
any accompanying statements or forms, and it is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge.

Signature _________________________

Date

Address
City, State and Zip code
Telephone:

-----------------

Home _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Work
Other

E-mail address

---------------------

If you have a representative payee, the representative payee must sign below:

Representative Payee Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Form SSA-545-BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 13

Date _ _ __

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
Ir::S:-e-e-;R::-"e-v-:-is-e-:d-;P::-"r-:-iv-a-cy---:"A-ct:'"""S=t:-a-:-te-m-e-n-:t-:A:-:-tt:-a-c':'""he-d7'11

ation is allowed to ollect the info
tion on this fonn der section 31 (e)
of the Social Security Ac. e need this info
tion to detennin if we can approve our plan for hieving
self-support. Giving this infonnation is v untary. Howeve without it. we may' ot be able to pprove your
plan. Social Secu· will not use the int; ation for any 0 r purpose.
We would . e out the facts on this onn without your onsent only in certa· situations. Fo example. we give
out this· onnation if a Federal w requires us to or f your congressional epresentative r Senator needs the
info ation to answer questio s you ask them.
ISee Revised PRA, Attached

Form SSA·545-BK (11-2005) af (11-2005)

Page 14

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU

We received your plan to achieve self-support (PASS) on

Your plan will be processed by Social Security employees who are trained to work with PASS.

The PASS expert handling your case will work directly with you. He or she will look over the plan as

soon as possible to see if there is a good chance that you can meet your work goal. The PASS expert

will also make sure that the things you want to pay for are needed to achieve your work goal and are

reasonably priced. If changes are needed, the PASS expert will discuss them with you.

You may contact the PASS expert toll-free at 1- (

)

~--~------------

YOUR REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES

If we approve your plan, you must tell Social Security about any changes to your plan and any
changes that may affect the amount of your SSI payment. You must tell us if:

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Your medical condition improves.
You are unable to follow your plan.
You decide not to pursue your goal or decide to pursue a different goal.
You decide that you do not need to pay for any of the expenses you listed in your plan.
Someone else pays for any of your plan expenses.
You use the income or resources we exclude for a purpose other than the expenses
specified in your plan.
There are any other changes to your plan.
There are any changes in your income, help you get from others, or things of value that you own.

There are any changes in where you live, how you live, or your marital status.

You must tell us about any of these things within 10 days following the month in which it happens. If
you do not report any of these things, we may stop your plan.
You should also tell us if you decide that you need to pay for other expenses not listed in your plan in
order to reach your goal. We may be able to change your plan or the amount of income we exclude so
you can pay for the additional expenses.
YOU MUST KEEP RECEIPTS OR CANCELLED CHECKS TO SHOW WHAT EXPENSES YOU
PAID FOR AS PART OF THE PLAN. You need to keep these receipts or cancelled checks until we
contact you to find out if you are still following your plan. When we contact you, we will ask to see the
receipts or cancelled checks. If you are not following the plan, you may have to pay back some or all
of the SSI you received.
Form SSA-545·BK (11-2005) ef (11-2005)

Page 15

The following revised Privacy Act Statement will be inserted into the form at its next
scheduled reprinting:
Privacy Act Statement
Collection and Use of Personal Information
Section 1631 (e) of the Social Security Act, as amended, authorizes us to collect this
infonnation. The infonnation you provide will be used to detennine if we can approve
your plan to achieve self-support.
The infonnation you furnish on this plan is voluntary. However, failure to provide the
requested infonnation may limit your ability to participate in this program.
We rarely use the infonnation you supply in your plan for any purpose other than for
making a detennination relating to participation in the program. However, we may use it
for the administration and integrity of Social Security programs. We may also disclose
infonnation to another person or to another agency in accordance with approved routine
uses, which include but are not limited to the following:
1. To enable a third party or an agency to assist Social Security in establishing
rights to Social Security benefits and/or coverage;
2. To comply with Federal laws requiring the release ofinfonnation from Social.
Security records (e.g., to the Government Accountability Office and
Department of Veterans' Affairs);
3. To make detenninations for eligibility in similar health and income
maintenance programs at the Federal, state and local level; and
4. To facilitate statistical research and audit activities necessary to assure the
integrity and improvement of Social Security programs (e.g., to the Bureau of
the Census and private concerns under contract to Social Security).
We may also use the infonnation you provide in computer matching programs. Matching
programs compare our records with records kept by other Federal, state or local
government agencies. Infonnation from these matching programs can be used to establish
or verify a person's eligibility for Federally funded or administered benefit programs and
for repayment of payments or delinquent debts under these programs.
Complete lists of routine uses for this infonnation are available in Systems of Records
Notice 60-0255 (Plans for Achieving Self-Support Management Infonnation System).
The Notice, additional infonnation regarding this fonn, and infonnation regarding our
systems and programs, are available on-line at www.ssa.gov or at your local Social
Security office.

The following revised PRA Statement will be inserted into the form at its
next scheduled reprinting:
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement - This infonnation collection meets the
requirements of 44 U.S.c. § 3507, as amended by section 2 of the PapeIWork Reduction
Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions unless we display a valid Office
of Management and Budget control number. We estimate that it will take about 120
minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. SEND OR
BRING THE COMPLETED FORM TO YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE. The office is listed under U. S. Government agencies in your telephone
directory or you may call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
You may send comments on our time estimate above to: SSA, 6401 Security Blvd,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401. Send only comments relating to our time estimate to this
address, not the completed form.

File Type	application/pdf
File Modified	2008-10-30
File Created	2008-10-29