Work Toolkit

Get ready

To help people talk about work, use these simple conversation tips.

When you talk about work, avoid questions that are likely to result in a yes/no answer. Instead, try open-ended questions. For example:

For people with work experience:

What was your favorite job?
What did you enjoy most about the job? Why?
If you could find a job like that again, would you be interested in going back to work? Why not?
What concerns do you have about working?
What did you like the least about working? Why?

For people without work experience:

For example, you might say:

If you had been able to flex your work schedule and come in at 9 in the morning instead of 7, that would have worked better for you?

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 Disability Benefits 101 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.
Navigate to the youth and families section to find specific tips for parents.