New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

New Jersey's designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities

Advocating and advancing the human, civil and legal rights of persons with disabilities

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

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:

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

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