Application and Information
Human Resource (HR) departments explain employer-sponsored benefits at time of hire and early orientation. It is a matter of individual and informed consumer choice where people with a new diagnosis choose to get more information about health and benefit plans, including employer-sponsored plans. The charge of HR departments is to orient and inform new employees and manage employer costs.

Disability Benefits 101 does not offer advice but suggests using all sources of benefit information including outside benefit planners or counselors in ways that people are comfortable and legal to get the jobs they want with the benefits supports they need.

Finding a Benefits Planner
The federal government pays benefits planners in communities around the country to help people think ahead about benefits issues. Social Security's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program provides counseling to people who are planning for work and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

To find a benefits planner near you, use DB101's Benefits Planners Directory.

Community Based Organizations
Various community-based organizations provide staff to work with people concerning a range of options on state, federal, public, and private health and income programs. Counseling about benefits, as a community service, is an emerging field of expertise with different levels of services available. Some organizations may work with specific populations while others work with individuals with any type of disability.

Goodwill Industries services range from personal evaluation and office skills training to career counseling, childcare, and transportation. Some of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity.

Goodwill IndustriesFind locations at http://www.goodwill.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-664-6577.

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers logoThe California Foundation for Independent Living Centers lists 29 centers serving individuals with all disabilities. Many of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity. Most independent living centers can refer callers to local benefit program information if they do not have these services.

Find the list of independent living centers at http://www.cfilc.org, or by calling (voice) 916-325-1690 or (TTY) 916-325-1695.

The AIDS Hotline database contains 1,300 organizations providing HIV/AIDS services throughout California. Some of these organizations offer case management, benefits planning, and benefits counseling services that can include assistance with public and private benefits programs.

Find the list of AIDS organizations at http://www.aidshotline.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-367-AIDS (2437) or (TTY) 1-888-225-AIDS (2437).

Disability Rights California provides representation for consumers of public programs who are disabled. Website publications include topics on health care, benefit programs, and In Home Supportive Services.

Workforce Re-entry Related Resources

JAN provides free consulting services designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities. JAN does this by (1) providing individualized work accommodations solutions, (2) providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and (3) educating callers about self-employment options. JAN also has information on accommodations and tools for solving problems at work or school, working at or owning a small business, Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in the Workplace, and the ADA and employment.

Learn about self-employment for people with disabilities through an insightful and practical book called Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities by Cary Griffin and David Hammis.