GAO Forum, "Actions that Could Increase Work Participation for Adults with Disabilities," July 2010
GAO convened a Forum on March 16, 2010, to explore policy options and actions that could be implemented to help adults with disabilities participate in the workforce. Several challenges were identified, including the need for: 1) a more coordinated system of services and benefits; 2) additional information on benefits and work incentives; 3) additional employer incentives to hire persons with disabilities; 4) targeted information to employers to make the business case to hire persons with disabilities; and 5) a coordinated Federal policy to promote the employment of persons with disabilities. The Report and Highlights can be downloaded at: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-812SP Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d10812sphigh.pdf
Posted On :
07/30/10 10:16AM
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118
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36
Training and Employment Notice to Announce the Release of the Report, "Use of One-Stops by SSDI Beneficiaries in Four States Implementing Disability Program Navigator Initiatives
The US DOL/ETA has just issued TEN 1-10, Release and availability of an ETA quantitative evaluation report, "Use of One-Stops by Social Security Disability Beneficiaries in Four States Implementing Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiatives." ETA contracted out with Mathematica Policy Research (MPR), Inc. to condcut a quantitative evaluation of the DPN initiative through the use of the One-Stop Career Cenetr system by Supplemental Security Income(SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. The stduy was condcuted in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, and Oregon, which were early implementers of the DPN Initiative and were willing to share their Workforce Investment Act adult and dislocated worker and Wagner-Peyser data base information for program years 2002-2007. The data runs were matched with the SSI and SSDI Ticket to Work records system. This Reoport docuemnted that a very aklrge number of SSA disability beneficiaries are using the services of the public workforce system and achieving positive employment outcomes. The report is located here: http://disability.workforce3one.org/view/2001018107873517795/info
Posted On :
07/07/10 02:39PM
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323
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104
Evaluation Report on the Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Being Served by the One-Stops in Four DPN States
The Report was prepared by Mathematica Policy Research (MPR), Inc. under contract with the Employment and Training Administration. The purpose of this report was to conduct a quantitative evaluation of the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative through the use of the One-Stop Career Center system by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. The study was conducted with Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, and Oregon, which were early implementers of the DPN initiative and were willing to share their Workforce Investment Act (WIA) adult and dislocated worker and Wagner-Peyser (W-P) data base information for the period Program Year 2002 – Program Year 2007. The data runs were matched with SSI and SSDI Ticket to Work (TTW) record system. The target population for the study was adults age 21 and over. In addition to determining if the impact of the DPN would effect WIA and W-P service and outcome levels for SSI and SSDI beneficiaries, it was also intended to gain understanding of the: • Extent to which One-Stop Career Centers are serving persons who are SSA disability beneficiaries; • Characteristics of SSI/SSDI beneficiaries receiving these services; • Nature of the services received; and • How services and outcomes for beneficiaries compared with SSI/SSDI beneficiaries nationally. Key findings include: • One-Stop Career Centers are serving a very large share of persons receiving SSA disability benefits and the public workforce system is providing important support for SSA disability beneficiaries who want to work; • SSA beneficiaries who used One-Stop services achieved positive employment outcomes.
Posted On :
06/30/10 02:11AM
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1243
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581
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Made Easy
There is a new Web site, www.eitc.irs.gov, which centralizes all the information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). On this site, you can: download forms, brocures, and other support materials; visit Marketing Express to customize EITC products; learn about EITC compliance programs; learn about the latest rules and tax law changes, find helpful tips and tools; learn about eligibility; etc. The EITC Assistant, which helps persons know if they qualify for the EITC, is available in English and Spanish
Posted On :
05/02/10 02:50PM
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161
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51
VCU Article "Saving for Post-Secondary Education: Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have published an article in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation entitled, “Saving for Post-Secondary Education: Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities.” Citing misconceptions among individuals with disabilities, family members, and the disability services provider community, the article clarifies and details saving opportunities for students with disabilities that are in line with the Social Security disability benefit program rules. The provisions covered include: ? Plan for Achieving Self-Support, a Social Security work incentive that allows individuals to set aside income or resources needed to achieve a stated occupational goal; ? Educational Savings Accounts or 529 Plans, which allow individuals to (1) prepay tuition at a qualified educational institution at today’s tuition rates or (2) save money in a tax-deferred account (earnings only) to be used to pay for education at future tuition rates; ? Coverdell Accounts, which enable families to put away $2,000 per beneficiary, per year and use the money—tax-free—to pay for college expenses; ? Educational grants, loans or scholarships, including Pell grants, Federal Educational Loans (Federal PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, Ford Loans, etc.), Upward Bound, and Work-Study programs; and ? Individual Development Accounts, a provision where earnings deposited by an individual are matched at a particular rate, usually between $2 and $4 for every dollar deposited, by a combination of government and private-sector funds. To learn more about these provisions as well as others, read the full article at: http://www.worksupport.com/research/view Content.cfm/847.
Posted On :
03/09/10 08:35AM
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180
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62
Disability Policy Research Brief: Will Health Care Reform Increase the Employment of People with Disabilities
In November 2009, Mathematica Policy Research Inc, issued a Disability Policy Research Brief, Number 09-04, entitled, "Will Health Care Reform Increase the Employment of People with Disabilities?" "Working age people with disabilities in America have a low employment rate and a high rate of dependence on public programs-a situation fueled, at least in part, by the challenges of the current health care financing system." In this Brief, the following misconceptions are dispelled: 1) people with disabilities cannot work; and 2) they are all insured by public programs.
Posted On :
03/01/10 03:07PM
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198
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62
Demonstration to Maintain Independence (DMIE)-Impact on Health Care Reform
A Brief issued by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. in December of 2009, describes how the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment (DMIE) grant program can inform the national health care reform debate. The Brief describes why DMIE was funded, what services were available, and what is known about the program participants. Lessons learned from DMIE include: burdensome cost-sharing can discourage low-income workers with potentially disabling conditions from seeking medical care; coverage that is not affordable places people with potentially disabling conditions at greater risk of being underinsured; and affordable coverage may improve overall health, leading to prolonged employment and a reduction in dependence on Federal disability benefits. The Brief is available at: www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/PDFs/disability/WWD_DMIE.pdf
Posted On :
02/21/10 03:05PM
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236
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56
Social Security Disability Benefits to Wounded Warriors
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors Social Security Administration http://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors/ Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Access the website to link to the following questions that include answers to questions most people ask about applying for disability benefits. • What types of benefits can I receive? • What is Social Security’s definition of disability? I was disabled for a while several years ago and my health has now improved. • Can I receive disability benefits for the time that I was disabled? • How does military pay affect eligibility for disability benefits? • How do I apply? • What do I need to apply? • How does Social Security make the decision? • How long does it take for a decision? • Can I do anything to speed the decision? • Can my family get benefits? • How does Medicare affect my TRICARE benefits? • Contacting Social Security In addition, this website includes links to other useful information.
Posted On :
01/16/10 05:29AM
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260
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84
Annual Disability Statistics Compendium 2009
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics has recently issued its 2009 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium. It includes statistics from Federal surveys and sources on disability prevelance, population size, (including breakdowns by state and disability type, employment and earnings,education, health and health care coverage, rehabilitation, and participation in benefit programs (e.g., SSI, SSDI). This Report can be downloaded as a PDF.
Posted On :
12/30/09 02:58PM
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328
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140
Disability: Dispelling the Myths - How People With Disabilities Can Meet Employer Needs
This report provides information on successful strategies used by employers to meet their labor force needs and includes practical examples and commonsense approaches for hiring and retaining people with disabilities.
Posted On :
10/01/09 08:59AM
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460
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138
Employer Incentives for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
There are several tax incentives available to employers that hire individuals with disabilities. However, it is unclear just how aware employers are of these incentives and whether the incentives actually affect decision-making. What level of knowledge do human resource professionals have of tax incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities? How much are these incentives used by companies? Who in companies make decisions about whether to use these incentives? This report provides an analysis of the results from an Employer Incentives for Hiring Individuals With Disabilities Survey conducted in 2002. It provides insight into the causes and solutions to the underutilization of talented individuals with disabilities.
Posted On :
10/01/09 08:57AM
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604
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188
Fast Facts On… Business Tax Credits & Deductions for Employment of People with Disabilities
This publication, revised in 2007, highlights three tax incentives available to help employers cover accommodation costs for employees and/or customers with disabilities to make their business environment accessible for these individuals. Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction Small Business Tax Credit Work Opportunity Tax Credit***: ***Please access the following website for updated information on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit: http://www.doleta.gov/business/Incentives/opptax/
Posted On :
10/01/09 08:51AM
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309
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87
Work Opportunity Tax Credit U.S. Department of Labor
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides employers with a benefit for hiring job seekers most in need of employment including: TANF recipients Qualified Veterans (including disabled Veterans) Vocational Rehabilitation referral Ex-felon Supplemental Security Income recipient (Social Security disability beneficiary) By participating in the WOTC program, employers: Make the hiring decision, Complete minimal paperwork to claim the tax credit, and Can hire as many new individuals who qualify for these tax savings.
Posted On :
09/30/09 12:48PM
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283
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88
Ticket to Work / Employment Network 30-Second Training Series
A 6 part series of 30-second trainings that has been developed for DPNs to use with staff and partners in their Local Workforce Investment Areas to increase understanding and promote the use of the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work, Work Incentives and Employment Networks. These 6 Trainings cover the following topics: Working and Social Security Benefits… Work Incentives… What a Ticket to Work is… What an Employment Network is… How an agency can become an Employment Network… What to do when someone wants to assign their ticket…
Posted On :
09/29/09 04:16PM
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549
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141
Serving as a Resource on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Work Incentives & Other Programs that Can Impact the Employment of People with Disabilities 4 Part Webinar Series
The purpose of this four-part series is to provide Navigators with a working knowledge of some of SSA’s employment supports and other work incentives, so that they can serve as a resource to the workforce investment system. As a systems change agent, DPNs pass on this critical information to One-Stop Career Center staff, so that they have a better understanding of available employment supports and provide job seekers with disabilities with information that can help in making informed decisions about work. This series provides tools and resources that can be used by both DPNs and One-Stop Career Center staff. This four-part series includes: Navigating SSA’s website. Gaining an overview of SSA’s Work Incentives (SSI, SSDI and Medicare and Medicaid). Learning about tools and resources for DPNs and One-Stop Career Center staff. Understanding the different SSA Specialists and Resources and how to work with them. Other employment support programs that impact the employment of people with disabilities.