This course teaches practitioners how to collect and analyze critical benefits information while at the same time developing a portfolio of options they can advise the individual on to support them making informed choices regarding work.

Many benefits and work incentives practitioners think their job is done once they have developed some sort of report that presents options a beneficiary can select from when making decisions regarding work. Research shows though that this is not enough! Practitioners need to consider the levels and types of support a beneficiary may need to make certain decisions. While a beneficiary may be able to select that they want to work at a certain level and utilize certain work incentives, they may not know where to go to access the supports necessary to aid them in finding a job or how to apply to SSA for using certain work incentives.

Avoiding the pitfalls often associated with post-entitlement issues for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries requires proactive planning, monitoring and assistance. Anticipating potential problems that may arise and having interventions ready to support the individual is critical. While individual paths to employment vary based on the person’s desires, abilities and interests, how their benefits are impacted are not—they are static, governed by policy and procedure and can be planned for. This course explores the importance of proactive planning and monitoring, long-term supports, strategies for effective crisis management should issues arise, and ethical considerations for practice.

C.A.$.H. Coalition of the Greater Capital Region

Kick-off training for Discovery pilot test component of Customized Employment Demonstration Project.

Many individuals who receive other means-tested federal and state entitlements may also receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and/or Food Stamps. Created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (P.L. 104-193), TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The objective of the program is to promote work, responsibility and self-sufficiency. The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy food. Both programs are means-tested, meaning that an individual’s eligibility and amount of benefit is determined by income. Thus, any earnings a person may receive could negatively impact the amount of benefit the person receives, creating a disincentive to work if the person is not aware.

The lack of suitable, affordable housing is often a major barrier to successful employment of persons with disabilities. Still, various public and subsidized housing programs can sometimes help to overcome this barrier. This course will provide a brief summary of the major federally-sponsored programs that should be available in all states, with an emphasis on those policies most applicable to persons with disabilities. State-subsidized housing programs also exist and may offer additional benefits, although they are not covered in this course.

Our goal is to offer an interactive workshop that provides strategies and techniques for overcome the various barriers that might prevent or hinder employment opportunities.

The Unemployment Insurance Program established under the Social Security Act provides temporary and partial replacement of wages to individuals who have lost their job through no fault of their own. This dual federal and state program has a goal of preventing financial hardship while providing time to locate new employment. Every state has enacted a Workers' Compensation program to protect employees against loss of income and health care due to a work related injury, accident or illness while, at the same time, limiting employer exposure to expensive law suites. Both Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation benefits are likely to be part of a disabled workers' benefits experience. How each interacts and reacts to SSDI and/or SSI benefits will become critical knowledge in your benefits planning efforts.

Overview of pilot teams for "discovery" and customized employment.

The Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit for individuals who work and have earned income under certain levels. One goal of the EITC is to reduce or offset the amount of payroll taxes withheld while at the same time encouraging individuals who might otherwise receive other public benefits to seek employment. Veterans' Benefits are available to veterans of the United States Armed Services and, at times, their dependents for both service and non-service connected disabilities. Both cash and health care coverage may be available to the veteran and, at times, eligible dependents. But how will these benefits impact the receipt or eligibility for SSDI and SSI?

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Overpayments continue to pose an obstacle to beneficiaries who are attempting to return to the work force. Overpayments occur in both the Social Security Disability and the Supplemental Security Income programs. How overpayments occur and what a beneficiary can do about them are the questions that will be answered during this presentation. Along with examining the overpayment process, participants will also learn specific strategies to assist an overpaid beneficiaries and support them in resolving this issue.

United Way of Tompkins County EITC/Asset Development Coalition Borg Warner Room

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and CESSI, the Ticket to Work Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO), invite you to participate in a Ticket to Work Webinar, “Reaching Higher, Strengthening Abilities”, for Universities and/or Higher Education entities interested in learning more about the Ticket to Work program and how to become n Employment Network. The objectives of this webinar are to: ? Learn how your post-secondary education institution can generate revenue by participating in the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program ? Learn about what the Ticket to Work Program would mean not just for your school, but for your students ? Learn various models of other successful higher education institutions as Employment Networks to implement in your own school ? Learn about the multitude of Ticket to Work activities in California and the success of California State University-Fresno as an Employment Network ? Learn the activities and accomplishments of the GRADS Initiative of Ticket to Work and what it has learned concerning students who receive SSI or SSDI ? Learn the technical support available to you as your school is exploring the Ticket to Work Program and after you become approved as an Employment Network Presenters: Sallie Rhodes, Ticket to Work Program Specialist, PMRO Susan Daniels, President, Daniels & Associates Barbara Butz, President, The Capstone Group Lynette Quinto, Director of Ticket to Work, CSU Fresno Leslie Barrett, Account Manager, PMRO Moderator: Leslie Barrett, Account Manager, PMRO To participate in this webinar, please register at www.cessi.net/ttw (click on the University Webinar icon). If you would like more information on Ticket to Work, please call Leslie Barrett at 703-448-6155 x228 or email leslieb@cessi.net, or visit the key Ticket to Work websites: www.cessi.net/ttw, www.yourtickettowork.com or www.ssa.gov/work. If you have problems registering, please call 607-255-9364, or email Erika Eckstrom at ee224@cornell.edu

The implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Amendements Act puts additional pressure on employeres to ensure that reasonable accommodations are available. This presents a unique opportunity to build partnerships with business to bring technology into the work place.

People with learning disabilities are intelligent and capable people. However, they may perform many educational and work tasks in non-traditional ways. Research conducted at the Technology Transfer Rehabilitation Engineering Reserach Center has identified many of the technologies tha tpeople with learning disabilities would like to have available to them to succeed in school and work environments using a combination of expert interviews and focus group data collection techniques.