[Narrator] Benefits and Work Conversations in Action: Increasing confidence for all
professionals. All staff interacting with people with disabilities need to give accurate,
positive messages about work and benefits. Why is that important? People with disabilities are twice
as likely to live in poverty as those without disabilities. They're also twice as likely to skip
medical treatments because they need to pay for food, rent, or utilities. People with disabilities
may not be able to plan for the future because they are focused on meeting their needs today.
You can help turn this curve. You can help the people you support learn how public benefits can
support work. This is vital for helping people with disabilities live the life they want. There
are three critical steps you can take. First, provide encouragement. The second thing you
need to do is give the person accurate information about benefits and work. The third thing you can
do is connect the person with more help when they have benefit and work questions that you can't
answer. Let's see an example of these steps in action with a teacher, Ms. Jones, and her student,
Diego. While this example is using the role of a teacher, this demonstration could be any
professional supporting the person, like a waiver case manager, an MN Choices assessor,
or a vocational rehabilitation counselor. [Ms. Jones] Hi Diego.
[Diego] Hi Ms. Jones. [Ms. Jones] So, Diego, last
week we talked about how things are going for you at school. How are things going for you at home?
[Diego] It's going okay. I'm kind of bored when I'm not in school, though.
[Ms. Jones] Well, the last time we talked, you mentioned the idea of work.
Have you thought any more about that idea? [Diego] Yeah, I've been thinking about it. I
have a friend who said he could help me look into a job where he works, but my mom said I
need to make sure I don't mess up my benefits. [Ms. Jones] It's great to hear you're interested
in working and that you have a job to check out. I can connect you with a vocational
rehabilitation counselor who can help you with the job search. I also have some good
news about your benefits. All public benefit programs in Minnesota support work. In fact,
people who work have more money than those who don't work, even if their benefits change. Can I
show you some things about benefits and work that will ease you and your mom's worries?
[Diego] That'd be great. [Ms. Jones] Okay, let's start
with a website called db101.org. It has a lot of information, including videos you can watch and
articles you can read. It also has estimators that you can enter information into to see what might
happen to your benefits when you work. You can use it to make a plan. Let's start by watching
a video about SSI and work. [Diego] Sounds good.
[Narrator] Ms. Jones shows Diego the SSI and Work video and the SSI and Work Try-It tool on DB101,
then goes back to their conversation. [Ms. Jones] Does that help you feel
better about the idea of work? [Diego] Yes. Can I show that
video to my mom, since she couldn't be here today? [Ms. Jones] Yes, that's a great idea. In your IEP,
I'll include links to the video, the SSI Try-It tool, and articles on DB101
that you can show your mom. [Diego] That would be great.
[Ms. Jones] And if you and your mom need more information or have questions,
you can contact Disability Hub MN through chat online, or by calling 866-333-2466. You'll find
their contact information at the top of every page on disabilityhubmn.org and db101.org.
[Diego] Sounds great. It's good to know I'll have more money if I work,
and I won't have to worry about my benefits. [Narrator] You can see from this example
that by taking a few minutes to provide encouragement, share accurate information,
and connect the person to more help if needed, you can support a person in moving
toward employment in their community, greater financial stability, and the life they want.