Work Ability: Opening Doors to Work
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People with disabilities can work and want to work. Work Ability helps prepare people with disabilities to work. The program was designed for people who receive public benefits like Medicaid and Social Security due to a disability. Work Ability connects people with supports to help them find and maintain work.
Employer''s benefit from hiring qualified workers with disabilities. Work Ability helps employers by connecting them with an untapped workforce.
Work Ability connects people who receive Social Security (SSI or SSDI) and / or Medicaid due to a disability with the following resources:
The Utah Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (UBPAO) program is designed to give Social Security Disability Beneficiaries information on how employment may affect their benefits so that they may make an informed choice about working. The UBPAO can also look at any other benefits a person receives and assess how work may affect those benefits.
1- Employment Related Personal Assistance (EPAS)
Personal Assistance services for people with disabilities who are employed and, because of their disability, need personal supports to work. A licensed agency or qualified personal care assistant can provide services at work and/or at home.
2- Medicaid
The Medicaid Work Incentive Program (MWI), sometimes referred to as the Medicaid Buy-In Program, is an eligibility category created to allow individuals with disabilities to work and qualify for Medicaid. In short, this program is for people with disabilities who are working.
3- Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, certain people with disabilities who are under age 65 and people of any age who have permanent kidney failure. It provides basic protection against the cost of health care, but it doesn''t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Prescription drug discount cards are available.
A major part of TWWIIA (Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) is the Ticket to Work Program. The basic goal of the Program is to increase choices and options available where people can obtain vocational services, and to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on SSI/SSDI cash benefits.
1- Ticket Holder Resources
Under the Ticket Program, Social Security Disability beneficiaries can receive employment services, vocational services or other services to help you go to work or to earn more money. Participation in the “Ticket to Work Program” is optional.
2- Employment Networks (EN’s)
Explore requirements and benefits for becoming an Employment Network (EN). EN’s can include the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency, other public disability agencies, community rehabilitation providers, One-Stop Career Centers, Schools and even some employers.
1- Employer Resources
The information contained in this section is designed to assist employers who are seeking assistance as they recruit and hire qualified individuals with disabilities. Information on a variety of topics relevant to hiring people with disabilities is easily accessible.
2- Job Seeker Information
For job seekers needing assistance and information as they search for employment, you will find information about available programs and agencies that may be of help, general disability information, disclosing your disability to a potential employer, and in formation on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to mention a few.
Employment advocacy is all about reaching and teaching people with disabilities, families, employers, agencies and others in our lives about creating job opportunities and employment supports for people with disabilities in their communities.
The Social Security Act includes two benefit programs that provide financial payments and health insurance to qualifying individuals with disabilities. These programs, known as:
1- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Some rules are the same for both programs.
(Rules for determining disability are the same under both.) But when it
comes to working, the rules are different. Each program has work incentives.
These are special rules for employment support that help preserve benefit
eligibility, including health insurance.
Phone (801) 887-9529
Address 1595 W. 500 South, SLC, UT 84104
E-mail ecerna@utah.gov
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© 2003 Utah Work Incentives Initiative