Did you know that many people with disabilities want to work, but fear having less income and losing needed health coverage? Social Security, health care and housing programs have complicated rules, making it difficult to see the true financial impact of being employed. With the help of Nebraska Work Incentives Network partners, many people discover they are better off working, even if they give up some of their government benefits.

ARE YOU:
Between the Ages of 14 through Full Retirement Age (based on your date of birth)? AND Receiving disability benefits from SSA (SSI/SSDI)? AND Currently working or interested in work?
If so, please explore your options by answering the following questions regarding your earnings goals:

• Do you have regular meetings with a counselor from a Vocational Rehabilitation agency?
• Did you get a job with the help of a Vocational Rehabilitation agency in the last year?
• If you have received assistance from VR within the last year, you must contact Nebraska
  Employment Warranty Services

• Are you between the ages of 18-64? Are you currently working or plan to start work within 90 days?
• Did you or will you make above $720/month and have a strong desire to work?

• Are you looking for work, interested in work and/or need education to achieve a work goal?
• Are you afraid of losing your benefits while employed?
• If you are otherwise unsure of where to start, please contact a Nebraska WIPA Coordinator.

Max Learns Benefits of Using His Ticket to Go To Work...

Job seeking when you have a disability can be challenging, especially if you are at the beginning of your career or have been out of the workforce for a long period of time. However, there are many resources available to help individuals with disabilities find employment. You can start by learning where to look on this site or select one of the links from the sections below.

Learn about health-related issues, treatment options, the locations of medical facilities, insurance programs and tips on staying healthy. Click here for more information about additional healthcare programs that include eligibility details to help you determine if you qualify.

Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD)
Medicaid Insurance for Workers with Disabilities (MIWD), referred to by some as Nebraska's Medicaid Buy-In, is intended to allow people with disabilities who are competitively employed and who, because of wages would lose their benefits, to purchase Medicaid like private insurance. The program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services and was implemented in July of 1999...

1619(a) and 1619(b)
1619(a) allows SSI recipients to continue receiving SSI cash payments even when earnings exceed the SGA level ($1,000/month for non-blind and $1,640/month for blind - 2011). As earnings increase, SSI cash payments decrease until earnings completely replace cash benefits; there is no effect on Medicaid coverage...

Find information on disability compensation, insurance, Social Security benefits and more.
 

Many people miss or ignore the Ticket Program altogether because it adds complexity to their lives. But if you're eligible, and want to start working or increase earnings, you should take the time to evaluate the free services offered by Employment Networks in your area. View a map of Nebraska Employment Networks.
 

There are many transition-related resources available to help educators, students and parents of youth with disabilities prepare and plan for post-secondary education, employment or other opportunities.
 

A wide range of special cash benefits, medical services and other programs are available for veterans of the US armed forces who experience disabilities.  The benefits available to veterans who experience disability are numerous and complex.  The Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Administration (VA) benefit systems are as complicated as the Social Security disability system and in many instances, veterans receive benefits from both of these enormous systems.
 

For Job Seekers: Exploring Options from Home -- Self-Employment is targeted to individuals who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules or who need a more accommodating work environment due to their disabling conditions or other life circumstances.
 

Locate resources on homelessness, accessible housing, temporary housing, Military relocation, housing locators and more.
 

 View WIN Fact Sheets 

These fact sheets are provided for your convenience and are for general information use only. The subjects addressed in fact sheets are complex and the fact sheets themselves only provide a summary of relevant information. For individuals planning a return to work or currently working, seeking individualized Work Incentive and Benefit counseling services is strongly recommended. To find out how these benefit programs and work incentives apply to your specific situation, please contact Easter Seals Nebraska, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) at 1-800-471-6425 Ext. 8.