Social Security State Grants for Work Incentives Assistance to Disabled Beneficiaries
Related Programs
Examples of Funded Projects
State protection and advocacy systems.
The Social Security Administration advances the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.
Program Accomplishments
SSA awarded 12-month awards totaling $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2007. SSA expects to award 12-month awards totaling $7,000,000 in FY 08.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants are awarded to organizations to: (1) Provide information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services; and (2) Provide advocacy or other services that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, maintain, or regain gainful employment.
Grant funds may not be used for construction or major renovation of buildings.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants applying for grant funds are limited to State protection and advocacy systems established pursuant to Part C of Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All individuals within the State who are entitled to SSDI or eligible for SSI benefits based on disability or blindness.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs and administrative requirements for grantees will be determined in accordance with Social Security Administration regulations 20 CFR 435 and 437.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not applicable.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
The standard application forms furnished by SSA must be used for this program. When grant opportunities are available, SSA sends a letter to the applicable protection and advocacy agency. Application kits that contain the prescribed application forms and supplemental descriptive information on the priority areas are available from the Internet site at www.grants.gov. SSA grant program announcements and application information also can be obtained from the Grants Management Team, Office of Operations Contracts and Grants (OOCG), Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG), Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management (DCBFM), Social Security Administration, 1st Floor, Rear Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. Contacts: Phyllis Y. Smith, Chief, Grants Management Officer. Telephone: (410) 965-9518 or, Gary Stammer, Telephone: (410) 965-9501. The fax number is (410) 966-9310. To be considered for a grant, all applicants must complete the prescribed application forms and submit them to the Grants Management Team. The application shall be executed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization who will assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.
Award Procedures
OAG provides a Notice of Grant Award as official notice for approved applications. The notice indicates award amount, the purpose of the award, award terms and conditions, the budget period, the anticipated project period, and the awardee's cost-sharing requirement.
Deadlines
Closing dates for receipt of grant applications are stated in the covering letter (usually 60 to 90 days after date of the letter).
Authorization
Social Security Act, Section 1150 as added by Section 122 of Public Law 106-170 as amended; Social Security Act, Sections 404 and 407 of Public Law 108-203; Ticket-to-Work Incentives Improvement Act; Part C of Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, 42 U.S.C. 6041, et. seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Generally, 3 to 6 months after the closing date established in the Federal Register announcement.
Appeals
There are no formal appeal procedures. If an application is not approved, the reasons will be stipulated in the denial notice.
Renewals
Grants can be continued via formal application, which is subject to approval. If an application is recommended for approval for 2 or more budget periods, the awardee must submit a formal request for funding continuation each year. Continuation applications are evaluated prior to a recommendation of additional funding.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The formula is based on the amount appropriated and the percentage of beneficiaries with disabilities: A protection and advocacy system located in a State (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) other than Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the greater of $100,000 or 1/3 of 1 percent of the amount available for payments. In the case of a protection and advocacy system located in Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, $50,000.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are usually granted for a period of 12 to 17 months. Funds, however, can be granted for a minimum of 3 months, and up to a maximum of 60 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Progress and financial reports are required on all projects.
Financial and progress reports are required semi-annually.
Annual Program Performance Reports are required on all projects.
Audits
Audits shall be conducted in accordance with SSA regulations 20 CFR 435 and 437. In accordance with the provisions of (OMB) Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, "nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Awardees must maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records and all other records pertinent to an award for 3 years after the end of the project. In the event of an audit, records must be maintained until all questions are resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
28-8704-0-7-999.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $7,000,000; FY 08 est $7,000,000; and FY 09 not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$50,000 to $438,275; $117,982.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Jen DeBoy Stammer, Project Officer, Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP), ODISP, 6401 Security Boulevard, 107 Altmeyer Building, Baltimore, MD 21207-5279. Telephone: (410) 965-8658.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Generally, applications are evaluated on the following criteria: (1) capability; (2) relevance and adequacy of project design; (3) resources and management; and (4) quality assurance.
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