Use the “PASS Approval” and “PASS Denial” notices located under the National tab, in the Post Entitlement folder, of the Document Processing System (DPS) or other manually prepared notice that contains the necessary approved language.

Send the original notice and a copy of the plan to the individual. Send a copy of the notice and the plan to the individual's representative payee or any authorized representative or assisting agency, provided the individual consented to the release of information about the PASS.

File a copy of the notice if prepared manually outside of DPS, the original plan, any SSA-553s, Reports of Contact, Accounting Sheets, and other correspondence in the PASS file per SI 00870.025.

Use DPS to prepare a PASS approval notice. Ensure that the notice informs the individual of their continuing responsibility to:

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  Report any changes in circumstances that require changes in the PASS;

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  Keep resources and income set aside under the plan separate and identifiable;

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  Keep complete records of expenditures;

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  Follow the plan; and

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  Comply with scheduled progress reviews.

Use DPS to prepare a PASS denial notice. Ensure that the notice explains the reason(s) for disapproval and appeal rights.

Use the “PASS Continuation”, “PASS Revision”, “PASS Termination”, or “PASS Suspension” notices in the National tab, in the Post Entitlement folder in DPS to notify the individual of the information reviewed and of the results of the progress review.

Send the original notice to the individual. Send a copy of the notice to the individual's representative payee or any authorized representative or assisting agency, provided the individual consented to the release of information about the PASS.

File a copy of the notice, any SSA-553, Reports of Contact, Accounting Sheets and other correspondence in the PASS file per SI 00870.025.

Use the PASS continuation notice located in DPS to notify the individual that the plan will continue. Include the individual's continued responsibility to:

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  Report any changes in circumstances that require changes in the PASS;

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  Keep resources and income set aside under the plan separate and identifiable;

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  Keep complete records of expenditures;

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  Follow the plan; and

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  Comply with scheduled progress reviews.

If the plan will not continue, the PASS expert will suspend or terminate the PASS. Follow instructions in section D below accordingly.

Use the “PASS Suspension” or “PASS Termination” notices in the National tab, in the Post Entitlement folder in DPS to notify the individual of the suspension or termination event.

Send the original notice to the individual. Send a copy of the notice to the individual's representative payee or any authorized representative or assisting agency, provided the individual consented to the release of information about the PASS.

File a copy of the notice, any SSA-553, Reports of Contact, Accounting Sheets and other correspondence in the PASS file per SI 00870.025.

Include the following in the suspension notice:

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  The reason for the suspension (e.g., abandonment of plan, no plan submitted at end of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Evaluation, no longer viable, successfully completed , etc.);

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  The month in which SSA will count the income and/or resources previously excluded under the plan;

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  Explanation of other exclusions (see SI 00820.500 ff., SI 00830.050 ff. and SI 01130.000 ff.);

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  Explanation that a separate notice will explain any effects on the individual's SSI eligibility or payment amount;

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  The PASS may be resumed at any time within 12 months of the date of this notice if the individual resolves the reason for the suspension or, if the person reached the occupational objective, or there is evidence that outstanding debts remain for approved expenses ;

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  Whether SSA is sending a copy of the notice to a third party (if authorized by the individual);

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  Standard referral paragraph (see NL 00804.240); and

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  Appeal rights.

Use the PASS termination notice in DPS when you terminate the PASS. Provide a clear explanation as to the reason for the termination (e.g., PASS was suspended 12 consecutive months or longer, applicant filed a subsequent PASS, etc.)

Use the corresponding PASS notice in the National tab, in the Post Entitlement folder in DPS to notify the individual as to whether the PASS expert will resume their PASS or not.

Send the original notice to the individual. Send a copy of the notice to the individual's representative payee or any authorized representative or assisting agency, provided the individual consented to the release of information about the PASS.

File a copy of the notice, any SSA-553, Reports of Contact, Accounting Sheets and other correspondence in the PASS file, per SI 00870.025.

Use the PASS continuation notice in DPS. Ensure the notice includes the following:

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  The month the plan is resumed and the month through which the PASS expert approves the plan for extension (per SI 00870.055.) and the month the PASS expert will next review the plan and consider any further extension;

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  Any changes in the previous set-aside income/resources and the reasons for these changes;

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  A separate notice will explain any changes in benefit due to any changes in the set-aside income;

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  Any changes in the scheduled completion date of the PASS or the approved goods and services;

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  Any third party who will receive a copy of the notice pursuant to the individual's authorization; and the individual's continued responsibility to:

  • –

    Report any changes in circumstances that require changes in the PASS;

  • –

    Keep complete records of expenditures;

  • –

    Keep resources and income set aside under the plan separate and identifiable; and

• •

  Follow the plan.

In addition to the above, make sure the notice also provides instructions for processing a reconsideration request (see SI 04020.030) or revised determination (see SI 04070.050).

Send the PASS denial notice located in DPS. As appropriate, modify the notice to inform the individual that their PASS will not be resumed. Provide a detailed explanation of your decision to not resume the PASS.