California Health Incentives Improvement Project You Can Work!: Employment and Benefits Planning Information and Resources Presenters: John Kerr and Rachel Stewart People First 2010

You Can Work! Are you having a hard time surviving on just your monthly benefit income? You can go to work and earn more money! There are many resources available to help you out.

Advocate for Yourself The first step to employment is understanding how to go after what you want –Work with your support team to help figure out what kind of work you would like to do –Take advantage of resources and services that are in place to assist you

Getting the Assistance You Need at Work In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) –Provides personal assistance services at home and at work – htm or

Finding a Job Regional Centers –Assistance in finding and using community and other resources –Job coaching assistance –Support services to go to work (transportation etc.) –Talk to your case worker about your interest in going to work and earning money Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) –Provides services and advocacy in employment –They also assist with training, education, transportation and assistive technology

Finding a Job Talent Knows No Limits –Provides information and resources on career planning, job training, job hunting and workplace support for job seekers –Highlights success stories of people with disabilities who are working – Independent Living Centers –Advocacy training, benefits planning and information to help you live independently –Go to to find an independent living center near you

Getting to Work Paratransit –Door to door service –Mobility training – –To apply, call: Public transportation (buses & rail systems) –

Working & Your Benefits Understanding how going to work may affect your Social Security and Medi-Cal benefits is an important first step Disability Benefits 101: –Brings together all the rules for health coverage, benefits and employment programs –Benefits planners are available to help you plan how your benefits might change when you start working

Follow Your Dreams Follow Your Dreams Self advocacy is the key Know what you want and go after it Make use of the resources available to you Do not let anything hold you back from doing what you want to do

Contact Information John Kerr or Rachel Stewart or