Jump to contentJump to menu
Print This Article
Parent Focus: Work is PossibleThe Basics
OpenClose
The BasicsDon't Believe the MythsNext Steps

Parent Focus: Work is Possible

  • The Basics
  • Don't Believe the Myths
  • Next Steps

Try It

    updated April 15, 2025
    Parent Focus: Work is Possible

    The Basics

    LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
    Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
    Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites

    The Benefits of Work

    Work experience as a teenager or young adult can help your child:

    • Build confidence by earning money and participating in the community
    • Develop job skills at an age when employers are more understanding
    • Learn more about work and explore interests
    • Create relationships, friendships, and a personal network
    • Build independence and life skills
    • Earn more money, and
    • Shape a successful adult career.

    Over the long term, public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not enough money to live on. That’s why it’s so important that you make work an expectation and a reality for your child.

    Parental Support Matters

    Young people with disabilities whose parents expect them to get a job are far more likely to get early work experience. And young people who get early work experience are far more likely to have jobs as adults.

    Here are some ways you can help:

    • Set an expectation of work early on. This can include giving your child chores around your home and helping your child get little jobs from neighbors and friends.
    • Be enthusiastic about work. Young people with disabilities are often excited about working. Share their enthusiasm!
    • Support your child’s efforts to find work now. Working while still in high school or in college is one of the best ways to prepare for work as an adult. A job doesn’t have to mean working a lot of hours; what matters is that your child learns what a job is all about.

    Most young people with disabilities want to work and dream of finding a job. Sometimes parents think it’s impossible, but it’s not: When parents believe in that dream and expect their children to work, it makes a big difference.

    Learn why the myths that say people with disabilities can’t work are not true.

    LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
    Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
    Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites
    • Next

    Learn more

    Parent Focus: Four Ways Benefits Support Work

    Learn how benefits and a job can work together for your child.

    Parent Focus: Putting Work Into the Plan

    Get your child on track for work.

    Parent Focus: Turning 18

    How benefits change when your child becomes an adult.

    Parent Focus: Work is PossibleDon't Believe the Myths
    OpenClose
    The BasicsDon't Believe the MythsNext Steps

    Parent Focus: Work is Possible

    • The Basics
    • Don't Believe the Myths
    • Next Steps

    Try It

      Parent Focus: Work is Possible

      Don't Believe the Myths

      LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
      Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
      Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites

      Some myths say work isn’t a realistic option for people with disabilities. These myths aren’t true: Your child can work, even if he or she has a significant disability.

      Myth #1: Employers won’t hire your child because of a disability

      Actually:

      • There are other ways to get a job. Not all jobs go through the regular job application process.
      • Your relationships in the community can lead to job opportunities. Most people get their first jobs through personal and family connections.
      • Many employers actively seek employees with disabilities, because they know that people with disabilities can do excellent jobs.
      • It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant who has a disability.

      Myth #2: Your child can’t work because of a disability

      Actually:

      • Everyone has skills and talents. It’s a matter of finding the right work for your child.
      • With an individualized employment search, the goal is to look for a job that matches your child’s interests and abilities. You and your child can do this on your own, and you can also get help from employment specialists at your child’s school or from other organizations like Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS).
      • Assistive technology and other reasonable accommodations can help your child succeed.
      • Employment doesn’t have to be half-time or full-time. Even working a few hours a week helps your child build job skills and work experience.

      Myth #3: Your child will stop getting disability benefits because of a job

      Actually:

      • No matter how much he or she earns, your child can get Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD).
      • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed so that your child will always have more total income after getting a job.
        • Depending on your child’s situation, a job may not affect SSI at all.
        • Work income will only cause your child’s SSI benefits to go down to zero if your child makes a lot more money than he or she would get in SSI benefits.
      • Some programs, like the Ticket to Work program and Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), are designed to help people with disabilities who want to work.
        • Your child does not have to complete any training or skills programs before starting work. Your child can start a job right away and still qualify for these programs later.
      LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
      Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
      Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites
      • Previous
      • Next

      Learn more

      Parent Focus: Four Ways Benefits Support Work

      Learn how benefits and a job can work together for your child.

      Parent Focus: Putting Work Into the Plan

      Get your child on track for work.

      Parent Focus: Turning 18

      How benefits change when your child becomes an adult.

      Parent Focus: Work is PossibleNext Steps
      OpenClose
      The BasicsDon't Believe the MythsNext Steps

      Parent Focus: Work is Possible

      • The Basics
      • Don't Believe the Myths
      • Next Steps

      Try It

        Parent Focus: Work is Possible

        Next Steps

        LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
        Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
        Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites

        Learn More About How Benefits Support Work

        Chat with a Hub expert to learn more about options and discover other helpful resources.

        Use DB101’s School and Work Estimator to get a sense of how work could impact your child’s benefits.

        For more about benefits programs and their rules, read DB101’s articles about:

        • Benefits for Young People, including details about many different benefits and how rules change as your child gets older.
        • Supplemental Security Income, which covers SSI’s rules in detail.
        • Medical Assistance: Overview, which introduces the different ways a person may qualify for MA.
        • Building Your Assets and Wealth, an introduction to asset-building strategies.
        • Plans to Achieve Self-Support, an in-depth look at the ways a PASS can help.
        • Individual Development Accounts, a detailed look at IDAs and how to set them up.

        Connect with People Who Can Help

        Talk to people and organizations who can help your child take the next steps to find work. Here are some options:

        • Your child’s IEP team. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), tell the team you want your child to work.
        • Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Every high school has a VRS counselor to help students with disabilities find work.
        • Your child’s county case manager. If your child has a case manager at the county or tribal human services office, tell him or her that work is part of your child’s plan.
        • CareerForce locations. Ask them about their youth programs.

        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.

        Chat with a Hub expert to:

        • Understand your current benefits
        • Get help using DB101.org
        • Connect to resources
        • Plan next steps

        Free Legal Help

        Minnesota Disability Law CenterThe 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.

        MinnesotaHelp.info

        Try these searches:

        • Health Insurance Information/Counseling
        • Medical Assistance (MA)
        • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
        • Benefits Counseling and Screening
        LikeTweetPrintEmailGive feedback
        Add to favoritesAdd to favorites
        Add to favoritesAdd to favoritesAdd to favoritesOne of my favoritesOne of my favorites
        • Previous

        Learn more

        Parent Focus: Four Ways Benefits Support Work

        Learn how benefits and a job can work together for your child.

        Parent Focus: Putting Work Into the Plan

        Get your child on track for work.

        Parent Focus: Turning 18

        How benefits change when your child becomes an adult.