Impairment-Related Work Expense Calculation

For SSI Grant Recipients

An IRWE is any out-of-pocket expense that is related to your disability, needed for employment and not reimbursed by another source. If approved by Social Security, the cost of these items can be deducted from your wages to calculate your SSI payment. Lists of approved IRWE deductions can be found in the SSA Red Book or at SSI Spotlight on Impairment-Related Work Expenses

Scenario:

STEP1				Gross Wages (before taxes)
	-	$20.00		General Income Exclusion
	=	$0.00
	-	$65.00		Earned Income Exclusion
	=	$0.00
	-			Monthly IRWE amount
	=	$0.00
	÷	2		Divide remaining Earned Income by 2
	=	$0.00		Countable Earned Income
STEP 2		$710.00		SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) = $710.00 in 2013
	-	$0.00		revised Total Countable Income
	=	$710.00		SSI Benefit Check with an IRWE
STEP 3		$0.00		Gross Wages
	+	$710.00		SSI Benefit Check with an IRWE
	=	$710.00
	-	$0.00		IRWE amount (as an out-of-pocket expense)
	=	$710.00		Total Gross Monthly Budget amount with an IRWE

Please note this calculator is for estimating only. Social Security will make the official determination when you report your wages.

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