Students and Youth with Disabilities
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Welcome to the California Department of Rehabilitation’s page for students and youth with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits. We’re here to help you understand how you can explore work and education opportunities while still keeping important benefits that support your independence and goals.
This page is a helpful resource for students, families, educators, and counselors who want to learn about Social Security Work Incentives, including tools that make it easy to go to work or school without losing your benefits.
Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)
If you're under 22 and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SEIE allows you to earn money from work without it counting fully against your SSI payments. This means you can work part-time while staying in school and still keep most of your monthly SSI.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
The PASS program lets you set aside money from work or other income to reach your career or education goals. You can use these funds for things like tuition, transportation, or job training—without reducing your SSI eligibility.
This free and voluntary program supports people with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, who want to work. It offers help with career counseling, job training, job placement, and long-term support from DOR and authorized providers. Find a Ticket to Work Provider.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
Students who incur expenses related to their disability that enable them to work can deduct these costs from their earnings for SSI eligibility.
Special deductions from earned income are available for students who are blind, allowing them to exclude a broader range of expenses from earnings calculations.
Section 301 Continued Payments
This incentive allows continued SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for students participating in vocational rehabilitation or similar programs when their medical condition improves.
Additional Resources and Tools
Comprehensive guide outlining all Social Security employment supports, with practical examples.
Interactive tools and information tailored for Californians to navigate work incentives and benefits.
Toolkit designed to support the transition from school to work, providing resources for educators, parents, and students.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Resource providing free, confidential advice on job accommodation and disability employment issues.
Social Security Office Locator
Find your nearest Social Security office for personalized assistance.