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The resources provided below are a starting point for you to begin
researching how service (paid and unpaid) may impact any benefit
program that you may be accessing. Be aware that each individual’s
situation has many different variables. Contact your local Benefits
planning and Outreach programs for additional assistance as well
as your local and national Social Security contacts.
Minnesota Benefits Information
Minnesota Work Incentives
Connection
Phone: 651-632-5113 or 1-800-976-6728
TTY: 651-632-5110
The Minnesota Work Incentives Connection is designed to help people
with disabilities understand how work income affects public benefits
like SSI, SSDI/RSDI, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Minnesota Supplemental
Aid (MSA), Food Stamps and Public Housing. The MN Work Incentives
Connection offers a convenient telephone “hotline” service
to answer benefit questions. Additional services include an information
listserv and help with understanding benefit information such as
understanding the definition of a Trial Work Period, applying for
Social Security Disability Work Incentives, and how to apply for
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities. The Minnesota
Work Incentives Connection can usually give quick answers to these
kinds of questions.
Disability Linkage Line
Phone:
651-646-8342 or 1-866-333-2466
TTY: 651-603-2001
The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living offers up-to-date information about community resources related to people with disabilities, including housing and benefits referral, through the Disability Linkage Line. The Disability Linkage Line is an information and referral service for people with disabilities, which was launched in 2004 by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It provides service to the entire state from four locations, Metro, Rochester, Bemidji and Alexandria.
The Disability Linkage Line can be reached statewide by calling toll-free, 1-866-333-2466. A resource specialist will be available during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to provide one-to-one assistance to help people learn about their options and connect with the supports and services they choose. There is no wrong call to the Disability Linkage Line. Inquiries include requests for information and referrals on disability benefits programs, home modifications, assistive technology, personal assistance services, transition services, accessible housing, employment, social activities and disability rights.
National Benefits Information
Benefits
Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) Fact Sheet
The goal of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Program
is to better enable SSA`s beneficiaries with disabilities to make
informed choices about work. Each BPAO Project has Benefits Specialists
who will:
- Provide work incentives planning and assistance to SSA`s beneficiaries
with disabilities
- Conduct outreach efforts to those beneficiaries (and their families),
who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State
work incentives programs
- Work in cooperation with Federal, State, and private agencies
and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities.
- Training the BPAO Benefits Specialist on Social Security Work
Incentives
The Web site link also includes a state by state listing to contact
your local BPAO office.
National Service Inclusion Project
The National Service Inclusion project has developed many resources
to explain how benefits may be affected when participating in opportunities
such as AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and Senior Corps, all of which
provide a monthly living allowance and education award.
Social Security Redbook
The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related
provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental
Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation
professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities.
Waiver Funds
Federal
Waiver Information
Minnesota
Waivers
Individuals with disabilities have been successful in using waiver
dollars to pay for any type of assistance they may need to be able
to participate in service activities. Some have had Personal Care
Assistants accompany them on activities related to service. We provide
a link to information on Minnesota’s waiver programs. To learn
more about waiver programs in your state and how they may affect
your participation in service, contact your State Department of
Human Services.
Other Resources
World Institute
on Disability's "Disability Benefits 101" Web Site
Although designed with Californians with disabilities, the World
Institute on Disability's new "Disability Benefits 101"
Web site is useful for anyone wishing to learn more about disability
benefits programs and employment options. The site provides an easy
set of real-life scenarios to follow to learn how disability benefits
work. The information is helpful to anyone needing to navigate the
benefits process.
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