| Author | Subject: getting back to work |
| Amy | Posted At 11:19:33 03/08/2003 I have been on dialysis nearly one year. I hope to begin nocturnal dialysis within the next few weeks and expect to be feeling much better. Currently I receive SSI and Medicaid. I am trying to find as much info on how to return to the workforce but cannot find any information. I contacted SSA and they only gave me information about work and regular SSA disability. I also contacted our Family Services Office and they have absolutely no answers at all. I live in Missouri and am hoping someone could give me a few ideas on how to re-enter the workforce and/or return to college. I am thinking of training to be a nurse or a dialysis tech. Any ideas? Anyone? |
| Beth Witten | Re: getting back to work (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:20:07 03/08/2003 When you apply for disability, it is usually granted because you have a condition that expected to limit your ability to work for at least a year. It seems like the government would have incentives to help people get back to work right away, but some of the work incentive programs are new. I've heard that it's best to wait until you've gotten disability payments for at least a year to be sure that you can take full benefit of all available work incentive programs. There are a work incentive programs that apply to people on SSI and those that apply to those on SSDI. You can read about the programs that fit your situation on the SSA web site in the section on Employment Support Programs at www.ssa.gov/work. SSI work incentive programs let you: * Ease back into working without losing all your SSI cash (Section 1619a); * Keep Medicaid when your income is higher than the normal state Medicaid guidelines (either Section 1619b or under a Missouri program called Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities); * Designate money for a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (to start a business, pay for training, pay work-related expenses, and in some cases even buy a car) without losing any of your cash benefit if your goal is to no longer be dependent on SSI; * And much more You can read about these programs and see examples in Social Security's Red Book at: www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook.html When you talk with Social Security, ask to talk with the representative who knows about work incentive programs for people with SSI. Be aware that State Medicaid caseworkers may not be knowledgeable of Social Security work incentive programs so you may need to take SSA materials with you if you plan to discuss these with your Medicaid caseworker. Also, keep in mind that working can affect other benefits that you get. There are counselors that can help you review the pros and cons of working. You can find these on the SSA web site under Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach at www.ssa.gov/work/ServiceProviders/bpaofactsheet.html. You may not have heard about the Ticket to Work program. Every SSI and SSDI recipient should get a voucher with a brochure explaining the program. You can take your voucher to your state Vocational Rehabilitation agency or to a private vocational rehabilitation company. If the program believes it can help you and takes your voucher, it can help you get skills or training you need to work and help you find a job. The program gets paid if you find a job and keep it so it's to their benefit to help you reach your goals. See www.yourtickettowork.com for more information about this program and what Employment Network provides services in your area. The Life Options Rehabilitation Program is updating its booklet on employment and finance. It should be available online in the summer of 2003. Good luck! |