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YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY | Davenport, Iowa Office

By Pam Shaw
Social Security District Manager
Davenport Social Security Office

CELEBRATING NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  At Social Security, we recognize and appreciate the roles people with disabilities play in the workforce. That’s why we’re celebrating and sharing Matt’s story.

As a job seeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was reluctant to tell prospective employers about his disability. He worried that employers would not hire him if they knew about his disability.

That’s when Matt connected with our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program at choosework.ssa.gov. This program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work.  Through this free and voluntary program, approved service providers offer supports and services as participants move toward financial independence through work.  Matt found the service providers at choosework.ssa.gov/about/meet-your-employment-team.

Matt’s service provider told him about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it guarantees equal opportunities for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination in the workplace.  It accomplishes these goals through:

• Anti-discrimination rules that prevent private employers from discriminating against qualified people with disabilities when they apply for jobs. See choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-07-26-the-eeoc-and-discrimination.
• Regulations that require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities.

Matt and his service provider identified accommodations that would allow him to demonstrate his capabilities both during the application process and on the job.  They created a plan for him to disclose his disability and request accommodations.

Since Matt also wanted to know how his employment might affect his benefits, his Benefits Counselor told him about our Work Incentives at choosework.ssa.gov/about/work-incentives.  These rules and programs make it easier for adults with disabilities to enhance their job skills while maintaining access to benefits. Matt reviewed the process at
choosework.ssa.gov/library/fact-sheet-benefits-counseling-and-the-path-to-employment.

Matt also learned about our Medicare-Related Work Incentive at choosework.ssa.gov/library/fact-sheet-medicare-and-medicaid-employment-supports. This allows him to pursue a career without worrying about health care coverage. Matt’s Medicare coverage will continue for more than seven years after he begins full-time work, even if his income exceeds the amount to qualify for disability benefits.

And if Matt’s disability interferes with work, he can return to receiving benefits, without having to file a new application, by using our Expedited Reinstatement Work Incentive process at www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/exr.htm.

Matt now works full-time as a human resource analyst.  Thanks to the ADA, he received accommodations for the interview process and time spent on the job.  He also found that the Ticket Program helped him find a path to a better future.

The Ticket Program is here to help no matter where you are on your career journey.  You can read Matt’s full story at choosework.ssa.gov/library/matt-success-story. Please share Matt’s experience with your friends and family.

PROTECTING OUR LOVED ONES FROM ELDER ABUSE

Are you concerned about protecting your older relatives and friends from elder abuse? The pandemic highlighted the disproportionate impact of tragedy on underserved communities, including older adults, who face high rates of elder abuse, fraud, and nursing homes deaths.

It’s important to remember that elder abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or financial status.  We are committed to helping and preventing further victimization – especially in underserved communities.

Fraud

A recent Federal Bureau of Investigation report showed that elder fraud has increased.  Older adults in the United States reported over $1.6 billion in losses in 2021.  This includes victims of COVID-related scams. Older adults in the U.S, also lose nearly 25 times more money to scammers than other groups –an estimated $113.7 billion a year!

Reporting fraud can be difficult and older adults tend to underreport– especially when money is lost. Many older Americans are unsure about the reporting process or feel too embarrassed to report. Understaffed Adult Protective Services offices can also cause long processing times and underreporting.

We work hard to protect beneficiaries from Social Security and government imposter scams. You can learn more about protecting your loved ones at blog.ssa.gov/slam-the-scam-how-to-spot-government-imposters and our Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams webpage at www.ssa.gov/scam.

Please share these important resources with your family and friends.