Sudden Onset Disability
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The Basics
Life changes a lot when you become disabled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a satisfying life. It just means that you’re going to have to learn new ways of doing things and that some things in your life will change.
This article will help you answer a series of important questions about these changes in your life:
- Where can I get help?
- What are my rights as a disabled person?
- What sort of health coverage can I get?
- Are there any cash benefits that can help me?
- What will happen with my job?
- How can I get trained for a different job?
Sometimes the answers to these questions are very confusing. You may already be dizzy from hearing about MA, MA-EPD, SSI, SSDI, VRS, ILCs, the ADA, LTD, and many other programs.
In this article, we don’t expect you to know what all of these programs are. Instead, we’ll answer the questions above by presenting basic information about all of the programs that can support you, beginning by listing their complete names and then presenting a few paragraphs about each that tell you:
- What these benefits provide
- How you get them
- When they’re a good option
- How to find detailed information about them on DB101
By organizing the information in this way, you can think of this as your first lesson in disability resources, programs, and benefits.
DB101 has a great service called Chat with a Hub expert. As you read this article or at any time when you have questions about disability benefits, you can get expert advice from an expert. Click here to Chat with a Hub expert or call 1-866-333-2466.
This article covers many of the same issues that are covered in DB101’s Progressive Disability article. The difference is that this article assumes that you just became disabled, for instance in an automobile accident, and don’t know much about the benefits that are available. The other article is for people who have disabilities that evolve over time and so it explores how things could change in the future.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
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Getting Support
The goal of this article is to give you new information and resources that can help you become more comfortable and confident. Here we’ll begin with some basics about who can help you and what laws protect you, focusing on several important resources:
- Disability Hub MN
- MinnesotaHelp.info
- Independent living centers
- Your doctor
- Personal Care Assistants (PCA)
- Your rights
Later in this article, we’ll go into detail about different health care programs, cash benefits, job adjustments and training that can help you.
This article talks about many resources and programs, but the biggest resource that can help you may be the one that’s already closest to you: your friends and family. They are the people who know you best, who have helped you over the course of many years, and who will continue to help you in the future. They are also your primary source of emotional support. Furthermore, they are the keys to having an enjoyable life, because in the end, it is our relationships with our friends and families that make our lives fulfilling.
Disability Hub MN and MinnesotaHelp.info
Disability Hub MN links Minnesotans with disabilities to information and community resources to stay independent, support work, and explore benefits. The Hub helps people with all types of disabilities, including health conditions, drug or alcohol problems, or mental health needs. The Hub is statewide, free, and private (confidential).
MinnesotaHelp.info can also help you find many social services, ranging from benefits applications to job counseling.
What they offer
If you call Disability Hub MN, a counselor will answer your call, listen to your needs, explore possible options, and supply you with the information you need to make informed decisions.
Disability Hub MN specializes in disability questions related to:
- Work and work planning
- Benefits and services
- Housing
- Accessibility
- Assistive technology
- In-Home services
- Disability rights
MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory that can help you find social services near you. These services can include help with benefits applications, job counseling, and finding support groups.
How you find them
You can call Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466. To see MinnesotaHelp.info’s wealth of information, click here.
When they’re a good option
Minnesota offers many great resources for people with disabilities. Disability Hub MN and MinnesotaHelp.info can help you connect to the counselors, organizations, and programs that can support you as your disability progresses. They should be your first point of contact as you look for services and support.
Independent Living Centers
Independent living is one of the most important concepts for people with disabilities. Independent living means that you decide how you want to live. It does not mean that you have to know all the answers or do everything by yourself; it means that you need to learn how to find resources that can help you reach your goals. You also need to learn to be in charge of how you use these resources.
Independent living centers are a one-stop shop that can help you learn how to live independently.
What They Provide
Independent living centers were created by people with disabilities. They offer many types of information and support that can help you think about the decisions and opportunities facing you.
They can help you find things like work, housing, transportation, or personal care assistance services. They also provide counseling related to benefits, health care, finances, and even your social life.
How You Find One
There are independent living centers throughout the country, including 8 in Minnesota. The Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL) can help you find an independent living center near you.
When They’re a Good Option
If you haven’t already contacted your local independent living center, you should now, just to get yourself familiar with the sorts of resources, activities, and programs they offer.
Your Doctor
It's important for you to have good communication with your doctor, because the two of you will be working together to come up with ideas and solutions that work well for you.
What Your Doctor Provides
Your primary care doctor is a central partner for you who will help you better understand your disability. Your doctor will help diagnose your condition, figure out what sort of treatment is available, and refer you to other specialists who can help you. Your doctor also documents your health conditions and maintains your medical record, which can be important if you apply for benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medical Assistance (MA).
That means that it is important for you to regularly visit your doctor, in order to make sure that your medical record is kept up to date. When you apply for disability benefits, you can also ask your doctor to provide a letter that describes your health conditions and disability.You can send that letter with your application. You can also request your own copy of your medical records and send it with your application.
How to Get the Best Help from Your Doctor
Communication is the most important part of your relationship with your doctor. You need to clearly tell your doctor about how you feel. You also have to explain what your needs are. At the same time, you need to understand the recommendations that your doctor makes. If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it in a different way.
If you find you don’t understand some information — for example, if you are hard of hearing and the doctor wants you to watch a video that doesn’t have captions, insist that your doctor provide you a copy of the video with captions or provide the information in an alternate form. If your first language isn’t English and you want an interpreter to help you understand your doctor, ask for an interpreter. Health care providers are required to provide interpreters and accessible documents.
By having a primary care doctor who you are comfortable with and with whom you have established clear communication, you will be able to deal with your medical issues much more effectively. Here is a website where you can learn more about establishing a good relationship with your doctor.
When Your Doctor Is an Important Option
Your doctor has specialized knowledge and knows a lot about your health conditions. Listen to your doctor and think about their ideas and suggestions. Make your doctor a part of your team that helps you figure out the many different ways in which you can adapt to your new disability.
Doctors are a great support in many ways but they are not experts about everything. Most importantly, you are the person who knows best about how you feel. That’s why you have the final say in any decisions involving your health. Their job is to support you, not tell you what to do.
The medical model and the social model
Our ideas about disability are shaped by the attitudes towards disability in our society. Traditionally, people have thought about disability as a medical issue. This “medical model” looks at your disability as though it is a medical condition that must be cured. If you have a disability, you need to be “fixed.”
However, the disability rights movement has changed that perspective. Now, disability is viewed as a social issue. This “social model” says that the problem is not your disability, but the way society views people with disabilities. Disability is a natural part of the human experience; it’s a normal part of life.
Thinking about disability in this new way may help you realize that you don’t need to be fixed. You can live with your disability and be successful. What you need is to find ways to continue to live a satisfying life. When you talk to your doctor, keep this perspective in mind.
Click here for more information about these two approaches to disability.
Personal Care Assistance
Personal care assistants (PCAs) support people with disabilities to live more independent lives. An assistant works directly for the person with a disability.
What They Provide
The role of a personal care assistant is to help you be able to do what you need to do. Your assistant may help you with getting dressed, going from one place to another, preparing meals, bathing, or other activities.
Personal care assistants can also help you in the workplace to do different types of tasks. They can help with personal care, like in the restroom or at lunch breaks, or with job-related tasks, like help with reading, interpreting, lifting or reaching work materials, or with travel between work sites.
How You Find One
Some people with disabilities rely on family or friends for their personal care assistance. Others decide to hire individuals who work for an agency. You can find good PCAs in a number of different ways, including independent living centers, PCA agencies, or online.
If you qualify for Medical Assistance (MA) or Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD), these programs can pay for personal care assistance services if you need them. When you apply for MA or MA-EPD, they will assess your situation and determine whether you need personal care assistance in addition to health coverage. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has a Personal Care Assistance Program website where you can read more about how MA or MA-EPD can help you pay for these services. Contact your county human services agency to apply.
When They’re a Good Option
Personal care assistance can be crucial to your ability to live independently. Personal assistants can help you at home or in the workplace, depending on your needs.
Read more about personal care assistance in DB101’s Job Supports and Accommodations article.
Home care
Personal Care Assistants are one type of “home care.” Home care, which may be provided by MA or MA-EPD, depending on your situation, can include skilled nursing, home health aides, and PCAs. The key thing about all of these types of home care services is that they can help you continue to live in your own home instead of in an institution or group home.
Your Rights
There are several major laws designed to help people with disabilities. The main one is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a federal civil rights law that makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. It also guarantees that disabled people have access to public services, such as transportation and voting, and to public places, such as restaurants, stores, hotels, and other types of buildings.
What They Mean
The first section of the ADA (often called Title I) applies to employment. It makes it illegal to discriminate against qualified jobseekers and employees with disabilities and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations available to jobseekers and employees with disabilities, unless they would result in undue hardship to the business. The law applies to all aspects of this employment, including the job application process, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and work-related events. In Minnesota, the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) also protects people with disabilities. You can read abou the MHRA on the DB101 Americans with Disabilities Act page.
Perhaps the key difference is that the ADA only covers employers with 15 or more employees, while the MHRA covers all employers, no matter how small the business. Both laws apply to private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor organizations. The ADA does not apply to tax-exempt private membership clubs or the United States federal government. However, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is another law that is almost identical to the ADA and does apply to federal agencies. That means that the federal government also cannot discriminate against job applicants and employees with disabilities.
How They Help You
The ADA and the MHRA are helping you all the time. Here are some examples:
- If you watch TV with closed captions, those captions are mandated by the ADA.
- If you go up a ramp when you enter a public library, that ramp has to be there thanks to the ADA.
- If you have a job and need a computer program that can read web pages, email, and other documents to you, the ADA requires that your employer provide this software.
The ADA can also help you if you are being discriminated against, since it allows you to file a complaint or even go to court.
When You Have to Take Action
If you are treated worse or unequally because of your disability, you are being discriminated against. The ADA makes discrimination illegal. Here are a few examples of how you could be discriminated against at your job:
- You could be intentionally denied opportunities or benefits, like a job, a promotion, or a competitive salary.
- You could be unintentionally denied these opportunities or benefits, because your employer uses a practice or a system that is not justified by the needs of the business.
- You could face coercion, intimidation, harassment, or interference from enjoying the same privileges and benefits of employment that others receive.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your disability, you can file a complaint with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC or the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR).
Read more about the ADA and how to file a complaint or lawsuit in DB101’s Know Your Rights and Responsibilities article.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
- The Basics
- Getting Support
- Types of Health Coverage
- Cash Benefits
- How Work May Change
- Finding a New Job
- FAQs
- Pitfalls
- Next Steps
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Types of Health Coverage
With a disability, a top priority is to make sure you have health coverage. Your financial situation and employment status determine what types of coverage you can get. These are the main options:
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Private health coverage, including employer-sponsored coverage and MNsure, the Health Insurance Marketplace for the State of Minnesota
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Minnesota public health programs, including Medical Assistance (MA), Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with a Disability (MA-EPD), and MinnesotaCare
- Medicare
These programs will be introduced briefly here. For more detailed information about them, see DB101’s Health Care Coverage section.
Private Health Care Coverage
Private health care coverage is the most common type of health coverage.
What It Provides
It pays for some of your medical costs when you see a doctor, go to the hospital, get medical exams, or get prescription medicine. You may need to pay copayments, premiums, or deductibles for these services. Depending on your coverage plan, it may pay for almost the entire cost of your medical expenses, or it may pay only a portion of those expenses. If you have low income and get private coverage through MNsure the government may help pay your premium.
How You Get It
The most common way of getting private health coverage is through your job or your spouse’s job. Many, but not all, jobs offer health care benefits. If you are still working and get health coverage through your job, your employer will continue to pay most of the expenses for your health insurance. Your spouse or parent (if you’re under 26) may also have a job that will provide health insurance for you.
You can also buy your insurance directly from a private insurance company, through an insurance broker, or on MNsure. You can buy private coverage for yourself and for your entire family. Insurance companies cannot reject your application or charge you more because you have a health condition. MNsure is the only place where people who have lower incomes can get government help paying for their individual coverage plan.
When It’s a Good Option
Private health coverage is best when you or your spouse (or parent) has a job where the employer will pay for it. Or, depending on your income and your plan, the government may help pay for your premium. To get government help paying your premium, you must buy a plan through MNsure. Note: There is no income limit for getting subsidies that help pay individual coverage premiums. (Before 2021, the limit was 400% of FPG.) To get subsidies, you still must meet other eligibility rules and the premium amount you pay depends on your income and your plan.
It’s important to also note that private health coverage doesn’t always cover everything – you may get private coverage and also be able to get public health coverage to cover whatever the private insurance doesn’t pay for.
Read more in DB101’s Individual Coverage article.
Minnesota Health Care Programs
Minnesota has several different public health coverage programs that you may qualify for. Three of the most important for Minnesotans with disabilities are:
- Medical Assistance (MA)
- MinnesotaCare
- Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
What They Provide
MA, MinnesotaCare, and MA-EPD help pay medical expenses for people with disabilities, older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with low income.
If you qualify, these programs will help pay for your visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services. You may need to pay copayments, premiums, or deductibles for these services.
There are a couple of differences between these programs:
1. They have different income and asset limits. Depending on your situation, it may be easier for you to qualify for one of these programs or the other.
2. You have to pay a monthly premium to get MinnesotaCare or MA-EPD, while MA has no premium.
How You Get Them
You can apply for Minnesota public health programs online at MNsure, or you can get help applying at your county or tribal human services office.
Note: The only way you can apply for MA-EPD is by filling out the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Certain Populations and taking it or mailing it to your local county or tribal human services office. You cannot sign up online.
When They’re a Good Option
If you or your spouse (or your parents, if you’re under 26) don’t have jobs where the employer will provide you with private health coverage, the public health care options listed here are your best bet. If you have low income, you may qualify for MA. If your income is a bit higher, you may still qualify for MinnesotaCare. If you are working and have a disability, you will likely qualify for MA-EPD. They can also help if your private health coverage doesn’t cover some of your medical expenses.
Read more about MA, MA-EPD, and MinnesotaCare in DB101’s section on Health Care Coverage.
Medicare
Medicare is another public health program, but it is run by the federal government, not by the state. While you work, some of the money you earn automatically comes out of your paycheck and goes into a Medicare fund. If you become disabled and start getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you will start getting Medicare 2 years after your SSDI benefit begins.
What It Provides
Medicare has different “parts” that each help pay for your medical care.
- Medicare Part A helps pay for medical care you get while you’re in a hospital.
- Medicare Part B helps pay for medical care you get outside of a hospital, like when you go to the doctor.
- Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a way to get Part A, B, and sometimes Part D coverage through private companies.
- Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription drugs.
Each Medicare part has different rules for how you sign up, how much you have to pay in premiums or copayments, which medical costs it helps with, and how much of the costs it will help pay for.
How You Get It
People with disabilities get Medicare after being on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months. SSDI provides income for people have worked and earned enough work credits to qualify, but who can no longer work because of a disability. Once you’ve been getting SSDI for 2 years, you automatically qualify to get Medicare and will begin to get coverage without having to fill out an application.
In the two years before you qualify for Medicare, you’ll need to get coverage through one of the other health coverage options introduced in this article.
When It’s a Good Option
Medicare is always a good option if you qualify. Often it can also be combined with other programs, such as Medical Assistance (MA), so that your share of expenses is lower.
Read more about Medicare in DB101’s Medicare article.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
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Cash Benefits
There are several important benefits programs that can provide you with income support when you become disabled. Your work history, financial situation, and medical condition will determine which cash benefits you qualify for. These are the main options:
- Private Disability Insurance
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Workers' Compensation
These programs will be introduced briefly here. For more detailed information about them, see DB101’s Cash Benefits section.
Private Disability Insurance
Private disability insurance replaces some of your income if an injury or illness prevents you from working. Unlike workers’ compensation, to get benefits through disability insurance, your injury or illness does not need to be work-related.
What It Provides
There are two types of disability insurance:
- Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance pays you a portion of your income for a short period of time after you run out of sick leave. Depending on your plan, STD generally will pay you for between 9 and 52 weeks.
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance pays you a portion of your income after you run out of both sick leave and STD. Depending on your plan, LTD may pay you for a specific number of years, like 2 years or 5 years, or until you turn a specific age, like 65.
With both STD and LTD, the amount of time you can get benefits and the dollar amount the benefits provide depend on how expensive your plan is. Generally, you will get a set percentage of the wages you were earning before you were disabled. Although the amount varies, payments are generally around 60% of your previous wage.
How You Get It
In order to get private disability insurance benefits, you must be covered by a Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD) or Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) plan. These are common ways you may be covered:
- Some employers offer this benefit
- Some other groups you may be a member of, such as a trade union, alumni organization, or other professional organization, may offer this benefit
- You may pay for an individual plan
If you had a job before becoming disabled, you should ask your employer’s human resources manager if you were covered by a policy. You may have been covered by disability insurance through your job and not even realized it!
If you are covered, you will need to file a claim through your employer, group representative, or insurance agent, depending on how you got your coverage.
When It’s a Good Option
Private disability insurance is always a good option if you are covered. The biggest problem is that most people don’t know about it and so often are not covered. If you are not covered and recently became disabled, you probably won’t be able to start getting disability insurance coverage because of your pre-existing condition unless you sign up through an employer or other group plan.
Read more about private disability insurance in DB101’s Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance article.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
While you work, some of the money you earn automatically comes out of your paycheck and goes into a Social Security fund. If you have to stop working because of a disability, the Social Security Administration will take money from this fund and pay you a monthly cash benefit called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
What It Provides
SSDI provides monthly cash benefits to people who have worked, paid Social Security taxes, and now have a disability that prevents them from working. Your eligibility for SSDI benefits is based on your status as disabled. Because it's an insurance program, you do not have to prove financial need to qualify for SSDI and there are no income or asset limits.
How You Get It
There are 3 ways you can apply for SSDI after you become disabled:
- You can apply online.
- You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) and the representative will take your application over the phone.
- You can visit your local Social Security office and apply in person.
Whichever method you choose, you will need to complete an application form and an Adult Disability Report.
Once you’ve submitted this information, Social Security will check two things to see if you qualify for SSDI:
- You must be insured. That means you must have worked long enough to be covered by SSDI.
- Social Security must determine that you are disabled. They will look at 5 different criteria and if you meet all 5, they will consider you disabled.
When It’s a Good Option
SSDI is a great benefit for anybody who qualifies. The benefits can begin when you have been disabled for 5 months. Remember that with SSDI, you automatically become eligible for Medicare after 2 years, a very important health benefit described earlier in this article.
Read more about SSDI in DB101’s SSDI article.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two different important programs for people with disabilities:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays cash benefits to people who have worked long enough and paid into its insurance system before they became disabled.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays cash benefits to people with disabilities who have low incomes and few assets.
You may qualify for one or both of these programs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
People who are disabled or blind may not be able to work or afford to live on their own. If you have a disability, don’t have enough money for your basic needs, don’t have much income, and have limited assets, you may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What It Provides
If you qualify for SSI, you get a monthly check. This money helps you pay your expenses, like food and rent. Many people who qualify for SSI also qualify for Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA), and SNAP (formerly Food Support/Food Stamps).
How You Get It
You can apply for SSI at your local Social Security office or by telephone (ph: 1-800-772-1213; TTY: 1-800-325-0778). If you need help applying for SSI, contact a Social Security Advocate.
When It’s a Good Option
SSI can be a huge help for you if you qualify. It’s very helpful for people with low income and low assets. Even people who have never worked can qualify for SSI.
Read more about SSI in DB101’s SSI article.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation is a type of insurance that provides you with benefits if you become injured or disabled while you’re at work. All employers are required to provide you with this insurance.
What It Provides
Workers’ Compensation pays for expenses related to an injury or disability that occurred while you were working. For example, if you are a truck driver and get in an accident that leads to you becoming disabled, Workers’ Compensation would pay for your medical expenses related to the accident and also pay you cash benefits for any time that you are unable to work due to your disability.
If your work-caused disability continues for many years and prevents you from working that entire time, you may continue to receive Workers’ Compensation cash benefits that entire time. If you can no longer work in your old job due to your disability, Workers’ Compensation may pay for you to get training for different work.
How You Get It
If you become injured at work, you need to notify your supervisor or human resources department as soon as possible. You should do so in writing (a letter or email), so that there is a record that you reported your work-related injury or disability. Your employer will then report your injury to the Workers’ Compensation insurance company.
It is extremely important to document everything, because the Workers’ Compensation program will not want to provide you with benefits if they think that your injury did not happen while you were working.
When It’s a Good Option
Workers’ Compensation is important if you have an injury or disability that happened at your work. If you have a disability that prevents you from working that was not caused by your work accident, you will not get Workers’ Compensation benefits.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry manages Workers' Compensation claims. They have a brochure (PDF) that is an excellent guide to workers’ compensation in Minnesota.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
Try It
How Work May Change
Your job may change after you become disabled. Fortunately, there are standard procedures that mean that in many cases you and your employer can work together to make sure that you can keep working. Here we’re going to talk about 3 important ways that may help your transition to having a disability go smoothly at your job:
- Disclosing your disability
- Requesting reasonable accommodations
- Taking time off through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
These processes will be introduced briefly here. For more detailed information about them, see DB101’s Going to Work section.
Disclosing Your Disability
Disclosing your disability means telling your employer or potential employer that you have a disability. You have the right to choose whether or not to disclose your disability and disclosing a disability may or may not make sense for you, depending on your situation. Your employer, or potential employer, does not have the right to ask you about it.
What It Provides
The main benefit of disclosing your disability is that it lets you request a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process (interviewing, employment exams, or application process) or after you are hired.
Another reason to disclose your disability is if you have an impairment that is visible to others. You are never required to discuss your disability, but if you address your disability upfront, even if you do not need a reasonable accommodation, you may be able to prevent stigma, discrimination, or misinformation related to your disability.
How You Do It
If you choose to disclose your disability, you should tell your human resources manager or your supervisor. If you also request a reasonable accommodation, your employer is allowed to ask for documentation of your disability to understand it and how to accommodate it. However, the employer is not allowed to disclose your disability to anybody else, unless it directly impacts another employee’s job.
How much information and detail you give your employer about your disability is your decision. Many people want to limit any medical information they give to their employers to just the information that is necessary to request an accommodation.
When It’s a Good Option
You decide if you want to disclose your disability and you base that decision on your personal needs, preferences, and comfort level with your disability. When you apply for jobs, start a new job, become disabled, or notice that the nature of your disability changes, you should consider whether or not disclosing is right for you.
Read more about disclosing your disability in DB101’s Job Supports and Accommodations article.
Reasonable Accommodations
A reasonable accommodation is any kind of change or adjustment to the hiring process, job functions, or work environment that makes it possible for a qualified jobseeker or employee with a disability to have equal access to employment and enjoy the same benefits of employment as their peers without disabilities.
What They Provide
To have the right to an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you must:
- Be a person with a disability as defined in the ADA
- Need the accommodation because of your disability
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Work for a private employer with 15 or more employees or a state or local government
- Additional laws called the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mean that almost all employers in Minnesota have to provide reasonable accommodations, including the federal government and employers with fewer than 15 employees.
Reasonable accommodations must be given to qualified employees regardless of whether they have part-time, full-time, temporary, permanent, or probationary status.
- Having a ramp or elevators for wheelchair users
- Dividing large assignments into smaller tasks
- Providing qualified sign-language interpreters for deaf employees
- Buying computer screen-reading software for blind employees
The following are not considered forms of reasonable accommodation:
- Removing or eliminating an essential function from a job
- Lowering production standards
- Offering items, such as a prosthetic limb, a wheelchair, eyeglasses, hearing aids, or similar devices, if they are also needed for personal use off the job
How You Get One
You can request an accommodation while applying for a job, after receiving a job offer, after acquiring a disability, or when the nature of your disability or job changes.
It is your responsibility to take the initiative to request an accommodation. If you do not request an accommodation and your job performance suffers, your employer has the right to fire you from your job or take disciplinary action.
To request an accommodation, you should first think about your individual needs and then identify reasonable accommodations that meet those needs. When you have an idea about what you want, request the accommodation from your supervisor or human resources manager. Your request can be in plain English and you don’t have to use any legal terminology.
An employer does not have to give you the exact accommodation you request. If more than one accommodation would work, the employer may choose which one to provide.
When They’re a Good Option
You should request a reasonable accommodation when there is a barrier that prevents you from performing your job or accessing other benefits of employment. Reasonable accommodations can be a key to success for you at your job.
Read more about reasonable accommodations in DB101’s Job Supports and Accommodations article.
If you think you have been discriminated against (treated unfairly or unequally) at work because you have a disability or because you asked for an accommodation, you should contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) as soon as possible. DB101’s Rights and Responsibilities article explains how to contact these authorities and file a complaint.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
You may find that you can’t work for a while after you become disabled or that you want to work fewer hours. Both are possibilities that your employer can help you with. If you work for a private employer with 50 or more employees or in the state, local, or federal government, your employer is actually required to let you take some time off for a disability thanks to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The FMLA also means that family members who work at qualifying employers can take time to help you as you adapt to your disability. All of the rules described below that discuss how you can take time off when you become disabled also apply to a spouse or other family member who chooses to help you or take care of you when you become disabled.
What It Provides
The FMLA requires private employers with 50 or more employees and all state, local, and federal government employers to give employees up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave a year for specific reasons. In order to take the leave, you must have recently had a child, have a serious health condition, or be taking care of a family member with a serious health condition.
In these situations, the leave must be “job-protected,” which means that after the leave, you must be allowed to return to your original job or be given another job that is similar. The FMLA also requires that these employers keep you on group health care benefits during your leave.
How You Do It
To be eligible for FMLA benefits, you must:
- Work for an employer to whom the FMLA applies
- Have been employed by the employer for at least 12 months
- Have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period before you began your leave
It’s up to you how you take the 12 weeks off during the course of the year. You can choose to take all 12 weeks off at the same time or take off multiple shorter leaves. You can even take FMLA leave to work fewer hours per week or work just 4 days a week instead of 5.
If you want to take FMLA leave, let your employer know as soon as possible. You’ll need to give your employer enough information so your employer can find out if the FMLA applies to your leave request. Depending on the situation, such information may include that you have been hospitalized, that you are getting continuing care from a health care provider, or that you are pregnant.
When It’s a Good Option
The FMLA can be a great option for you if you need time to adapt to your new disability or need time for treatment. It’s also important to remember that if you need extra help from a family member such as a parent or spouse, that person can take time off with the FMLA to help you.
Read More about the FMLA in DB101’s Rights and Responsibilities article.
If you can’t do your old job anymore because of your disability, you may be able to find another job that your disability does not prevent you from doing. On the next page of this article, we’ll talk about how you can learn new skills and who can help you find a new job.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
Try It
Finding a New Job
In this article we’ve already discussed various health and cash benefits that can help you when you have a disability. We’ve also covered what you can do to make sure that you can keep working at the same employer you had before you became disabled. Here we are going to look at how you can prepare yourself for work if you didn’t have a job before you became disabled or if you are no longer able to do the job you used to do.
In this situation, there are two major programs that can help you:
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
- CareerForce locations
These programs will be introduced briefly here. For more detailed information about them, see DB101’s Programs that Support Work section.
If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can participate in the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. This program can help you get:
- A vocational assessment
- Training
- Job placement
- Job coaching
- Other help you need to prepare for, get, or keep a job
The way the program works, you can sign up for an Employment Network (EN), which is an office that will provide these services. You get to choose your EN. The most common EN is Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS).
You can learn more about Ticket to Work and how to choose an EN in DB101’s Programs that Support Work article.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) can provide you with a wide variety of counseling, training, job skills, and job placement services.
What It Provides
With VRS, you will get a counselor who can help you find work. If you have never had a job, your counselor will orient you to the possibilities that exist. If you had a job before but your disability means you can no longer do that job, your counselor will help you adapt to your new reality and find different work.
The exact services VRS provides are carefully chosen to match your individual needs. You and your counselor will work together closely to set goals and then develop a plan to help you reach them.
VRS does many things, including:
- Finding you the training or other services that you need to return to work
- Supporting you to enter a new line of work
- Helping you enter the workforce for the first time
- Doing vocational assessments
- Providing you with ongoing job coaching
- Performing other services that can help you prepare for, get, or keep a job
How You Get It
Eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation Services is based mostly on whether you have a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult to prepare for, get, or keep work. How VRS defines a disability is different than how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability, so even if you don’t meet SSA’s definition of disability, you may qualify for VRS services.
If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are automatically eligible for VRS through the Ticket to Work (TTW) program. If you’re in Ticket to Work, you can also choose to get similar services from other Employment Networks.
If you are not on SSI or SSDI, you can still apply to get VRS services. However, VRS sometimes does not have enough resources to provide services to every person who is eligible to get them. People who have the most severe disabilities will get services first and you may be placed on a waiting list.
To apply for services, call or visit a vocational rehabilitation counselor at a CareerForce location. Find a Minnesota CareerForce location near you, or call 1-651-259-7501.
When It’s a Good Option
Vocational rehabilitation is a good option if you don’t have a job and want to get one or if you want to get additional training and education in order to get a job. It’s especially good if you are on SSI or SSDI, because you will be guaranteed services without having to get on a waiting list.
Read more about Vocational Rehabilitation Services in DB101’s Programs that Support Work article.
If you have vision loss, the Workforce Development Unit of Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) can help you prepare for, find, and keep a job, and live as independently as possible.
To discuss your eligibility and the programs or services that might be available to you, or to ask for an application for services, call call 1-651-539-2300 or 1-800-652-9000 and ask to speak with someone in the Workforce Development Unit.
Minnesota CareerForce
Minnesota CareerForce locations can help you with your job search or career planning.
What They Provide
CareerForce locations are places where you can get various things, including:
- Advice about local employers who are hiring
- The basics of how to do a job search
- Help with your resume
- Training on how to interview, network, and apply for jobs
- Instruction on how to use online jobs websites like the statewide MinnesotaWorks.Net website
- Help finding out about jobs and career fairs
CareerForce locations also have assistive technology to help people with disabilities use their services and resources. You can also just stop by if you want to try out these technologies.
How You Get Their Services
Find a Minnesota CareerForce location near you, or call 1-651-259-7501.
When They’re a Good Option
CareerForce locations provide these services to all jobseekers, whether or not you have a disability. This means that if you don’t qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) or if VRS puts you on a waiting list, you can still get a lot of good services that can help you get a job.
Read more about CareerForce locations in DB101’s Programs that Support Work article.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find help?

Independent living centers are one of the most important resources that can help you. Your local independent living center has information about all aspects of living with a disability, including housing, transportation, personal attendant services, employment, education, and benefits. The Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living can help you find an independent living center near you.
Also, Disability Hub MN at 1-866-333-2466 links Minnesotans with disabilities to information and community resources to stay independent, support work, and explore benefits. The Hub helps people with all types of disabilities, including health conditions, drug or alcohol problems, or mental health needs. The Hub is statewide, free, and private (confidential).
Disability Hub MN specializes in disability questions related to:
- Work and work planning
- Benefits and services
- Housing
- Accessibility
- Assistive technology
- In-Home services
- Disability rights
You can also use MinnesotaHelp.info to find social services near you, from benefits applications to job counseling.
When should I apply for disability benefits?

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you think you need them. Remember, it can take a long time to get the benefits, so don’t wait. Deciding when to apply for disability benefits can be an important part of what you and your doctor discuss. Once your disability starts progressing to the point that it is affecting your work or other areas of your life, you should apply for disability benefits.
How do I apply for disability benefits?

If you are working, you should talk to your employer’s Human Resources department to find out how to apply for any private disability benefit that’s available through your employer.
If you need to apply for Social Security disability benefits you should contact the Social Security Administration. You may be able to apply online, over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY), or you can visit your local Social Security office and apply in person.
You can apply for Minnesota public health programs, such as Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare online at MNsure.
Note: The only way you can apply for Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) is by filling out the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Certain Populations and taking it or mailing it to your local county or tribal human services office. You cannot sign up online.
If you have questions or need more information, Chat with a Hub expert.
What is Social Security’s definition of disability?

To get benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Social Security has to consider you disabled. For them to consider you disabled, you must:
- Have a physical or mental condition that can be verified by medical records
- Have a condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or to result in death
- Have a condition that limits your ability to work and earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level
To learn more, read DB101’s section on SSDI.
What’s the difference between SSA, SSI, and SSDI?

Social Security has 3 different acronyms that are easy to get confused:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency that administers all Social Security programs and Medicare.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays a cash benefit for people who have low incomes and are disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old. SSI is based on a person’s financial need, not their work history.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays a cash benefit when you can't work because of a disability. You have to have worked in recent years and paid payroll taxes for a certain amount of time to be eligible for SSDI.
What’s the difference between MA, MA-EPD, and MinnesotaCare?

Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, and Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) are all public programs that help pay medical expenses for people who are disabled, young, elderly, pregnant, or who have low income. If you qualify, these programs will help pay for your visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services, though the exact services they pay for may vary. You may need to pay a small copayment for some services.
There are a couple of major differences between these programs:
- They have different income and asset limits. Depending on your situation, it may be easier for you to qualify for one of these programs or the other.
- You have to pay a monthly premium to get MinnesotaCare or MA-EPD, while MA has no premium.
You can apply for all of them on MNsure.
If I get a job, will I lose all my benefits and be worse off?

No, not necessarily. Your disability benefits may change if you go to work, but you’re almost always better off working and figuring out how to balance your work and benefits. There are many rules called “work incentives” that can help you try out working.
Various work incentives like SSI 1619(b), Expedited Reinstatement, and the SSDI Extended Period of Eligibility help guarantee that if you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and your benefits stop, you’ll be able to get them back if you leave your job. Additionally, Medical Assistance (MA) has a special program called Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) that provides affordable health care coverage if you get a job and your employer doesn’t offer health insurance.
The bottom line is that if you get a job, you’ll probably be in a better financial situation and you’ll still have health coverage. If things are worse after you get a job, work incentives let you go back on the benefits you had. You can read more in DB101’s Work Incentives article.
When should I talk to my employer about my disability?

It depends on your situation. You may feel uncomfortable talking about personal information with your employer or fear discrimination. On the other hand, telling your employer about your disability might be necessary for you to stay in your job as long as you can and it may open up possibilities you didn’t know about. Only you can decide if or when to tell your employer about your disability.
Here are some things to think about when making that decision:
- What and how do you want to tell your employer about your disability?
- What are the risks and benefits of telling your employer that you have a disability?
- How will your disability affect your job performance now and in the future?
- What will you need to be able to stay in your job as long as possible?
To learn more about your rights and responsibilities when it comes to your disability, read DB101’s article, Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.
What things can I ask for that can help me keep working?

Things like extra breaks in the work day, alternative work schedules, screen readers, headphones, lower shelves, and parking close to the entrance are all examples of “accommodations” that your employer may be able to offer.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to assure that people who have disabilities have the same employment opportunities as people who do not have disabilities. You should talk to your employer about accommodations you need.
Are there resources to help me explore other jobs that might fit better with my changing needs?

Yes. First, you may want to talk to your employer to find out if there are other jobs within your company or agency that might better fit your needs.
If you have a disability, places like Vocational Rehabilitation Services can help you prepare for, find and keep a job, and live as independently as possible. With the right kind of training, preparation and workplace accommodations, you can find the right job that fits your needs. For more information on employment resources, see DB101's Finding the Right Job for You section or Chat with a Hub expert.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
Try It
Common Pitfalls
Not knowing what help is available
There are many resources available to help people with disabilities. It is important to learn about things like the Family and Medical Leave Act, Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD) benefits, Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, employer-based health care insurance, Medical Assistance (MA), and other benefits you may need.
The first place to start, if you’re working, is with your employer’s human resources department. They will be able to give you information on any benefits that are available through your employer. For information on other disability benefits, check out DB101's Programs section. You can also go to Bridge to Benefits to find out what other benefits you might qualify for.
If you’re not employed, contact your local independent living center or Chat with a Hub expert.
Not keeping complete records
Before you are on disability benefits, it is a good idea to keep good, detailed records about your health care, your income, and your expenses. When you are on disability benefits, keeping good records is even more important. You will need information about your condition, your health care needs, your income, and your expenses when you apply for disability benefits.
This means you need to:
- Keep track of your medical appointments and the outcomes
- Keep copies of any letters or emails you get from your insurance company, Social Security, or the county
- Keep records of phone conversations, including the date and time you made or got phone calls and the name of the person you talked to
Basing decisions on misinformation
We often rely on the experience of others to understand how to deal with similar situations. However, this doesn’t always work with disability benefits. What is true for your neighbors about their benefits is not necessarily going to be true for you, even if you face similar circumstances. Benefits programs are different for each person, based on things like:
- Your work history
- How much you earn
- What you own
- How disabling your condition is
- How clearly you report the details of your condition to your medical provider
- How well your medical provider understands or documents these details
- What benefits an employer offers
- What benefits you have purchased on your own
To be sure the information you get about disability benefits is accurate and complete, Chat with a Hub expert.
Not talking to your employer about reasonable accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to assure that people who have disabilities have the same employment opportunities as people who do not have disabilities.
Things like extra breaks in the work day, alternative work schedules, screen readers, head phones, lower shelves, and parking close to the entrance are all examples of accommodations that your employer may be able to offer. You should talk to your employer about accommodations you need now or in the future.
Confusing Social Security program names
Social Security has 3 different acronyms that are easy to get confused:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency that administers all Social Security programs and Medicare.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays a cash benefit for people who have low incomes and are disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old. SSI is based on a person’s financial need, not their work history.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays a cash benefit when you can't work because of a disability. You have to have worked in recent years and paid payroll taxes for a certain amount of time to be eligible for SSDI.
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Sudden Onset Disability
Try It
Next Steps
Talk to Your Employer
Having a disability doesn’t mean you have to quit working. It is important to know your options before making a decision about leaving your job. Talk to your employer's human resources department about reasonable accommodations. With the right supports, you may be able to keep working. You can learn more about reasonable accommodations at the Job Accommodation Network or at your local CareerForce location.
If you are thinking about leaving your job, talk to the human resources department about benefits you may be able to get, such as short- or long-term disability insurance and Family Medical Leave.
Apply for Benefits
You can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
- By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
- At your local Social Security office
You can also apply for SSDI online. If you have an appointment with Social Security, it's a good idea to review the Disability Starter Kit to prepare.
You can apply for Minnesota health coverage programs, including MA:
- In person at your local county or tribal human services office.
- Filling out a paper application and faxing it in to 1-651-431-7750 or mailing to the address listed on the form.
- Online using MNsure.
The only way you can apply for Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) is by filling out the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Certain Populations and taking it or mailing it to your local county or tribal human services office. You cannot sign up online.
If you need help completing an application, contact your county or tribal human services office. MNsure Assisters can also help you with your application.
If you want to learn more about the types of benefits available, Benefits.gov has a helpful list of many different types of benefits, sorted by topic.
Bridge to Benefits is a useful tool that can help you figure out which of these programs you may qualify for.
Find a Job
Vocational Rehabilitation Services can help you apply, prepare for, and find a job.
Minnesota CareerForce locations can help you find a job and plan for your career. You can also call 1-651-259-7501.
MinnesotaWorks.net is an online service where you can look for jobs and post your resume.
Learn About Work and Benefits - Chat with a Hub expert!
When you have questions or need help, use Chat with a Hub expert. This feature connects you to a DB101 Expert using live chat, phone, or secure email. Anything you talk about is private.
- Understand your current benefits
- Get help using DB101.org
- Connect to resources
- Plan next steps
Free Legal Help
The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) provides free assistance to people with civil legal issues related to their disability. Call the MDLC Intake Line at 1-612-334-5970 (Twin Cities metro area), 1-800-292-4150 (Greater Minnesota), or 1-612-332-4668 (TTY).
Find Local Services
You can use MinnesotaHelp.info to find social services near you, from benefits applications to job counseling. |
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Try these searches:
Learn more
Disability-Based MA
For people with disabilities who have low income.
MA-EPD
For people with disabilities who work. No income limit.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI helps people with disabilities who worked and paid Social Security taxes.