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ABCs of Acronyms
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W
A
ABD
Now known as Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level, an eligibility category, a type of California Medi-Cal (Medicaid in CA)
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
Civil rights law, federal legal protections for people with disabilities
ADAP
AIDS Drug Assistance Program
Program that provides prescription medication for individuals with HIV/AIDS who have limited income
AFDC
Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Federal program that provides income support and access to Medi-Cal for low-income adults with children. AFDC is now known as Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
ALJ
Administrative Law Judge
A Social Security appointed attorney who determines disability at a hearing and decides other matters on appeal
AT
Assistive Technology
Equipment and resources to facilitate independent living and employment for people with disabilities
B
BEP
Break Even Point
Dollar amount of total income that reduces the SSI cash benefit to zero
BPAO
Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Program
2005 and prior Social Security grants to community programs to assist Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) beneficiaries with work and health incentive rules, see WIPA
BWE
Blind Work Expenses
A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) work incentive for people who are blind or visually impaired under Social Security rules. Expenses a worker can deduct from countable income when determining disability income from the SSI program
C
CAL-COBRA
California’s Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
California’s Law that allows an individual and dependants to maintain health coverage by paying a premium after employment terminates for employers with 2 to 19 employees
CalWORKS
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program
State-run federal program for low-income families with children, provides cash aid and employment services, including child care payments, for families with limited income and resources, regardless of disability status.
CAPI
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
A California income support for some aged, blind or disabled legal immigrants who are not eligible for SSI, provides monthly cash benefit for those with limited income and resources
CARE/HIPP
Comprehensive Aids Resources/Health Insurance Premium Program
Health insurance premium payment program for individuals living with disabling HIV/AIDS
CDC
Center for Disease Control
Government agency that studies disease and approves prescription medications for public use
CIL
Center for Independent Living
Community based organizations that promote independent living through advocacy for and with people with disabilities
CI
Countable Income
Social Security: amount of earned income, remaining after countable earned income calculation, that the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers towards Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and cash payment amounts
Medi-Cal: amount of earned income, remaining after countable income calculation, that Medi-Cal considers towards determining and maintaining eligibility for categories (types) of coverage
CDR
Continuing Disability Review
Review of continued disability for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on a Diary Date set by Social Security
CFRA
California Family Rights Act
California’s Family Leave Act (FMLA)
CMHS
Center for Mental Health Services
National system that delivers mental health services
CMS
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Federal agency administering the Medicare and Medicaid agencies
COBRA
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
A federal law that allows an individual and dependants to maintain health coverage by paying a premium after employment terminates, for employers with 20 or more employees
(250%) CWD
(250% California) Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program
An eligibility category (type) of Medi-Cal for individuals with disabilities who work
D
DAPD
Disabled Adult Program Division
Department in Social Services that make disability determinations
DDS
Disability Determination Services
Department in Social Services that make disability determinations
DHS
Department of Health Services
California state agency that oversees health care programs including Medi-Cal
DME
Durable Medical Equipment
Items such as wheelchairs and prosthetics
DOJ
Department of Justice
Federal agency that enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and civil rights issues in employment and accessibility
DOL
Department of Labor
Federal agency with funding and oversight for One Stop Career Centers
DOR
Department of Rehabilitation
California state agency that works with individuals with disabilities to reach vocational goals
DOT
Department of Transportation
Federal agency that assists with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues involving transportation
DSS
Department of Social Services
California agency that assists low income families and the disabled. The Disability Determination Services (DDS), within the DDS conducts Social Security Administration (SSA) disability evaluation determinations in the state of California
DVR
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Usually a county level agency that assists persons with disabilities return to work
E
EAP
Emergency Advance Payments
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) advance payments due to presumptive disability while SSI application is pending
EDD
Employment Development Department
California agency that administers Unemployment Insurance (UI), State Disability Insurance (SDI) and related employment programs such as the Jobs for All (adults) and Workability (youth) programs
EEOC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Government agency that enforces equality in the workplace
EIE
Earned Income Exclusion
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) work incentive allowing a $65 deduction from earned wages
EN
Employment Network
Service providers in the Ticket to Work program who assist Social Security Administration (SSA) disability beneficiaries find employment
EPE
Extended Period of Eligibility
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) work incentive, the 36 consecutive months following the Trial Work Period (TWP)
EPSDT
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment
Medi-Cal program for youth and children under the age of 21 offers a wide range of medical services including vision, dental and immunizations
ERISA
Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974
Federal law that gives protections to beneficiaries of employer health care coverage
F
FBR
Federal Benefit Rate
Maximum amount the federal government pays to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to ensure a minimum standard of living
FEHA
Fair Employment and Housing Act
California law provides protection from harassment or discrimination in employment because of: age (40 and over), ancestry, color, creed, denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation
FICA
Federal Insurance Contribution Act
Tax amount a person pays towards Social Security Administration (SSA) insurance programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and retirement
FMLA
Family Medical Leave Act
Federal law allows individuals to take12 weeks of unpaid time off from work for family and medical reasons
FPL
Federal Poverty Level
Income levels used to establish financial eligibility, used in various federal and state programs
G
GA
General Assistance
Financial relief for low to no income individuals who are not currently eligible for other types of disability income programs
CGCEPD
California Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
State government advisory body to increase employment rates of youth and adults with disabilities to rates close to those of the general population
GR
General Relief
Same as General Assistance
H
HCFA
Health Care Financing Administration
Former name for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
HICAP
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Free California based Medicare counseling program at 1-800-434-0222 for all Medicare beneficiaries
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Federal health insurance protection for people who have pre-existing medical conditions to obtain new health coverage who currently work or are changing employment
HIPP
Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
Medi-Cal’s program that pays private health insurance premiums when paying is cost effective
HHS
Health and Human Services
California state agency that oversees human services such as departments of rehabilitation, health services, and social services
HUD
Housing and Urban Development
Federal agency that assists low income and persons with disabilities obtain affordable housing
I
IDA
Individual Development Account programs
Savings accounts to help low income individuals build assets, provides matching funds for deposits made, for those with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; may be available to individuals interested in business development, higher education or first home purchase
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1997
Federal law that expands educational opportunities to children with disabilities
IEP
Individual Employment Plan
Written plan established between the California Department of Rehabilitation and a consumer of their services
IHSS
In-Home Supportive Services
Department of Social Services program that provides personal attendant care and eligibility for Medi-Cal
IL
Independent Living
Philosophy that persons with disabilities have full access to the community
ILC
Independent Living Center
Community based organizations that promote independent living through advocacy for and with people with disabilities
IRWE
Impairment-Related Work Expense
A Social Security work incentive. IRWE's are documented expenses for services or items related to one's impairment that are necessary to work (e.g. wheelchair or medical expenses, which may include co-pays for prescriptions and Dr.'s visits).
J
JAN
Job Accommodation Network
On-line network that provides information about employment and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
L
LRE
Least Restrictive Environment
Educational term that states that children should be mainstreamed in classrooms with peers
LTC
Long-Term Care Insurance
Private insurance programs that pay for long term care facility costs that has premiums based on age
LTD
Long Term Disability
Private income replacement insurance that pays a percentage of a salary or a specified dollar amount for a person who becomes unable to work due to disability
M
MA
Medicare Advantage
Health maintenance organization like Medicare health plans, Part C of Medicare
MA-PD
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan
Name for drug plans in Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization like Medicare plans
MN
Medically Needy Medi-Cal
Eligibility category (type) of California Medi-Cal that has a monthly deductible called a “Share of Cost”(SOC)
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal
California’s name for the Medicaid program
MIE
Medical Improvement Expected
A diary date established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine when a medical review will occur for those expected to medically improve from a disabling condition
MIG
Medicaid Infrastructure Grant
Federal grants to state Medicaid agencies to support health access for workers with disabilities
MINE
Medical Improvement Not Expected
A long term diary date established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine when a medical review will occur for a person with a disability who is not expected to medically improve
MIP
Medical Improvement Possible
A diary date established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine when a medical review will occur
MMA
Medicare (Prescription Drug, Improvement, and) Modernization Act of 2003
Voluntary prescription drug plan benefits and other new services added to Medicare starting January, 2006. For SSDI beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and eligible for and Medi-Cal, “dual eligibles”, the drug plan changes are not voluntary.
MRMIP
Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
California health insurance program for individuals who cannot access affordable insurance due to high cost medical conditions
N
NCIL
National Council on Independent Living
National disability trade organization that provides advocacy and training
NPRM
Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Public notice given for a comment period for the federal rule making process
O
OJT
On-the-Job Training
Provides an untrained worker the opportunity to gain job skills while working
OSERS
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
Federal agency that provides funding to programs that serve infants, children and adults with disabilities
P
PAS
Personal Assistance Services
Personal care assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as grooming and transportation
PASS
Plan for Achieving Self-Support
A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) work incentive that allows a Social Security beneficiary or recipient to set aside resources and/or income to reach a vocational goal
PDP
Prescription Drug Plan
Name for drug plans for Original Medicare in the new 2006 MMA Medicare drug benefit
PESS
Property Essential to Self-Support
Certain property used for support that is not counted towards the resource amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
PMV
Presumed Maximum Value
A one third reduction of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) plus twenty dollars for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries who do not pay for all of their own living expenses
Q
QDW
Qualified Disabled Worker
Medi-Cal program for Medicare recipients who no longer qualify for free Medicare Part A
QMB
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Medi-Cal eligible beneficiary whose Medicare premiums can be paid by Medi-Cal
R
RFP
Request for Proposal
Request for a written plan and budget to fund a project
RSA
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Federal agency that carries out Title I, III, VI, VII and portions of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act
S
SDI
State Disability Insurance (California)
Temporary disability insurance for persons who cannot work due a disability (52 weeks or 39 weeks is self-employed)
SEIE
Student Earned Income Exclusion
A Supplemental Security Income (SSI) work incentive for recipients, under age 22, who regularly attend school and have earned income
SEP
Special Enrollment Period
Prolonged length of time in Medicare that allows dual eligibles and others to switch prescription drug plans without any penalty.
SGA
Substantial Gainful Activity
Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines that evaluate work activity
SLMB
Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Medi-Cal program that pays for Medicare Part B premiums for certain low income Medicare beneficiaries
SOC
Share of Cost
The amount an individual in the Medically Needy Category (type) of Medi-Cal must pay before Medi-Cal begins to cover medical expenses. This is similar in principal to a monthly deductible.
SSA
Social Security Administration
The federal agency administering a full range of social insurance programs, including retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance
Disability insurance program for individuals who have earned enough Social Security credits through employment and meet Social Security’s definition of disability
SSI
Supplemental Security Income
A needs based program for the aged or disabled who meet Social Security’s resource and income tests and definition of disability
SSP
State Supplement Payment
Federally administered program in California that pays an additional cash benefit above the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
STD
Short-Term Disability
Private income insurance that pays a percentage of a salary or a specified dollar amount for a person who becomes unable to work due to disability
T
TANF
Temporary Aid to Needy Families
Federal welfare program, formerly known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), that provides income support and access to Medi-Cal for low-income adults with children
TICKET Act
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (1999)
Employment and health care law for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries and other workers with disabilities
TWP
Trial Work Period
A Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) work incentive that allows SSDI beneficiaries to retain benefits while attempting to work over a nine month period within a rolling 60 month calendar
U
UBA
Un-incurred Business Expense
Self-employment business expense or support contributed to self employment by someone else
UIE
Unearned Income Exclusion
Income that is not earned, including in-kind support and maintenance
UWA
Unsuccessful Work Attempt
An attempt to work which was stopped or reduced below Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) after a short time (six months or less) because of the disabling impairment
V
VR
Vocational Rehabilitation
Programs that assist a people with disabilities in obtaining job skills or engaging in a job search
VTR
Value of the Third Reduction
Rule effecting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, over the age of 18, who live in another’s household, have one third reduced from the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) amount of the SSI cash benefit, under some circumstances
W
WIA
Workforce Investment Act (1998)
Law that established One-Stop Career Centers, Work Force Investment Boards, and requirements for universal access to One-Stop Centers
WIB
Workforce Investment Board
Local or state wide board with oversight of One-Stop Career Centers
WIPA
Work Incentive Planning and Assistance project
2006 Social Security grants to community programs to assist Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) beneficiaries with work and health incentive rules, CA Benefits Planner Registry on www.db101.org