The Basics

Many people with disabilities worry that if they go to work, they’ll lose their health care coverage and disability benefits. This is a myth – it’s not true.

There are actually many Social Security rules (known as “work incentives”) that help people with disabilities try working without losing their benefits. Some examples include:

• SSDI Trial Work Periods
• Extended Periods of Eligibility, and
• Temporarily stopping medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)

There are also several programs that help people with disabilities prepare for and find jobs. For example:

• The Ticket to Work Program helps people on SSI or SSDI access employment related services. People can take their Ticket to any Employment Network (EN) or Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services site and ask for help to reach their work goals
• Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides people with disabilities a variety of counseling, training, job skills, and job placement services, as well as long-term supports to help people keep their jobs once they’ve been hired
• Minnesota CareerForce locations offer services to help all Minnesotans in their job search and provide access to job banks, workshops, job fairs, and resource centers

If you’re a person with a disability who wants to work, there are many resources and programs to help you.