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Benefits Planning Toolkit:

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How to talk about work and benefits

Work and benefits can go together! Here's help for talking to the people you support about work and benefits.

Here are five key things to know and communicate about work and benefits:

  • Work and benefits can go together.
  • All public benefit programs in Minnesota support work.
  • People who work earn more money than those who don't - even if their benefits change.
  • Some people with disabilities choose not to work, or limit how much they work, because they fear losing their benefits. Benefits should never be the reason someone chooses not to work.
  • Benefits planning helps people see how work is possible, work to their full potential, save money and get ahead financially.

Conversations in action video

Check out a sample conversation about benefits and work and learn more how you can incorporate the five key messages into your work while providing encouragement, accurate information, and support to help people move towards greater financial freedom and stability.

Benefits and Work Conversations in Action

For example, you might say:

  • Yes, you might get less money on your SSI check, but what if you had $60 more to spend each month if you work?
  • What would you buy or do with the extra money?
  • What if I told you that you can work and still keep health benefits to pay for your medicine and doctor visits?
  • Tell me what you might be willing to do.

You might:

  • Use the Hub's live chat feature to ask some of the person's questions so they hear it from another source.
  • Use a benefits planning estimator to show the person what might happen to their bottom line if they go back to work or continue their education.
  • Explore the youth and families section of Disability Benefits 101 for youth-oriented tips.
  • Use a school and work estimator to show the person what might happen to their bottom line if they continue their education.
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