Link to Cornell University homepage Welcome to the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell's ILR School
AREA OF EXPERTISE:

Disability Benefits and Work

Thomas Golden

Thomas Golden
Associate Director
Employment and Disability Institute

The array of public benefit programs, entitlements and work incentives available to individuals with disabilities is diverse. From disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs to Workers' Compensation and tax credits, the effect of an individual's return to work on their existing package of benefits is complex. The Employment and Disability Institute focuses their efforts on research, policies and practices that support the movement of individuals from dependence on public entitlements to greater economic self-sufficiency and independence.

Projects

New York Makes Work Pay

The New York Makes Work Pay Initiative is a comprehensive employment systems Medicaid infrastructure grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to the New York State Office of Mental Health. The project builds on New York's rich history of engaging in employment systems change efforts to affect positive work outcomes for New Yorkers with disabilities. The New York State Office of Mental Health with their management partners Cornell University and Syracuse University, in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) join the state agencies and organizations comprising the membership of the Governor's Most Integrated Settings Coordinating Council's Employment Committee in designing and implementing a series of statewide strategic interventions to close the employment gap for individuals with disabilities.

Work Incentives Support Center

Cornell provides training and technical support as well as materials development and dissemination on issues pertaining to benefits and work incentives planning and assistance.

New York State Work Incentives Support Center

Through the ongoing sponsorship of various state agencies, this state-specific Center continues to hone the development of the New York State benefits and work incentives planning infrastructures through the delivery of ongoing training, technical assistance and materials development and dissemination.

Comparative Analysis of US & UK Return to Work Efforts

The Working Communities Division of the Rockefeller Foundation funded Cornell to work collaboratively with York University to do a comparative analysis of return to work practices in the U.S. and U.K. and highlight best evidenced-based practices. Download the paper: What Works and Looking Ahead: A Comparative Study of UK and US Policies and Practices Facilitating Return to Work for People with Disabilities

Faculty & Staff