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Working Together News
A newsletter about Maine's efforts to increase work opportunities for people with disabilities
In Focus
New Job Opportunities with the Federal Government
Recently the Social Security Administration (SSA) held a “webinar” entitled “SSA's Hiring Plans for 2009: Linking Candidates with Disabilities to SSA Jobs.” The purpose was to present information on the ‘hundreds of jobs’ that SSA will be trying to fill in the coming months—jobs located in all 50 states. It was unclear how many of these jobs will be funded through the recent federal stimulus package or whether these positions are part of SSA’s regular recruitment of employees.
It should be no surprise that the webinar made a particular effort to reach out to Social Security beneficiaries who hold a “Ticket to Work.” Ticket-holders have already met the requirements for the federal government’s special "Schedule A” hiring authority for job candidates with disabilities (more information later in this article). According to SSA, the agency has been rated the “#1 place in the Federal government to work for people with disabilities.” SSA has posted the webinar's PowerPoint file on their website.
Online resources for government employment
The United States Office of Personnel Management website is a good resource for government employment of workers with disabilities. This site can help users access:
- Information on federal disability hiring programs including:
- The Federal Government’s special Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority for persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities.
- Veterans with disabilties may also be considered under hiring programs for veterans who have disability ratings from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30 percent or more.
- Contact information for people called, “Selective Placement Program Coordinator, Special Emphasis Managers (SEM),” who help government agencies recruit, hire and accommodate people with disabilities.
- Details on gaining access to reasonable accommodations in the federal workplace.
- A general listing of web links related to the employment of people with disabilities.
- A listings of links to laws and Executive Orders related to the employment of people with disabilities.
- Frequently Asked Questions about employment discrimination.
USAJOBS is the federal government's official one-stop source for federal jobs and employment information. The site has searchable job listings, resume posting, an online application process, and an automatic update feature. For people who are new to the process a “starter page” can be found here.
The Stimulus Package
You have probably heard about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on February 17. We hope that the stimulus package will have a positive effect on creating new jobs—or keeping jobs—for workers with disabilities. Here are a few elements of the Act that apply directly to people with disabilities:
One-time payments for Social Security beneficiaries
Nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive a one-time payment of $250. The payment will not count as income, a resource, or an asset for the purposes of Medicare, Medicaid, SSI or any other benefits program supported by federal funds. The payment will not count as income or a resource in the month you receive it, or the following nine months. For example, if you receive the one-time payment in May 2009, it would not count as income or as a resource from May 2009 through February 2010. If you still have this money after February 2010, it will be counted as a resource starting in March 2010.
For more information, visit the Social Security's Economic Recovery One-time Payments Information Page.
Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research
Under the new stimulus package, $680 million was set aside for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, of which the federal government, rather than the state, will pay all VR costs associated with this money (e.g. there will not be a state match required). As part of this funding, $18 million will go to state grants, $87 million for independent living centers, and $34 million for services for older people who are blind.
Several other provisions of the law apply to all individuals, and might be of interest to workers with disabilities:
Earned Income Tax Credit - increases this refundable tax credit in several ways, which may also have an impact on state earned income tax credits.
“Making Work Pay” Credit - a new tax credit for 2009 and 2010 that most wage earners will receive in the form of reduced tax withholding (resulting in higher take-home pay); other taxpayers can claim the credit on their tax return.
“American Opportunity” Education Credit – allows taxpayers to claim this new credit for qualifying tuition and other education expenses – part of the credit is refundable (can be claimed even if an individual’s tax liability was less than the amount of the credit).
Refundable Child Tax Credit - Lowers the eligibility “floor” of this credit from $8,500 to $3,000 of earned income, allowing families with very low earned income to qualify.
There are many other provisions of this law – you can get more detail and track the stimulus package online at the following links: 1) in Maine and 2) nationally.
President Obama Creates New White House Post to Advance Disability Issues
At this winter’s Special Olympics Vice President Biden officially announced the appointment of Kareem Dale to the newly created post of Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. Dale, who is partly blind, was the Disability Vote Director for the Obama presidential campaign. In his new position he will have direct access to the President as he works to advance the causes of people with disabilities.
"It's a big deal,” said Vice President Biden. “I started off in the civil rights movement. This is a civil rights movement. This is a movement to make sure that we guarantee that all peoples in the world have the opportunity to succeed to the degree they are capable.”
Dale received his JD/MBA in May 1999 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is the managing partner of The Dale Law Group in Chicago and an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law.
Recently, Dale issued a request for stories about people with disabilities who have gone back to work or have been rehired as a result of the economic recovery plan. If you know of anyone who has had this experience, please contact Leslie Pohl.
Legislative Report
124th Legislature Issues of Interest
By Mel Clarrage, Chair Commission on Disability and Employment
This legislative session, the Commission on Disability and Employment is following two key bills 1) the budget, and resulting cuts in state funds; and 2) some language changes in the statute that defines the Commission.
The primary concern is the budget. If the Governor's proposed cuts to the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services passes, employment services funding could be reduced by over $2 million when factoring in the money lost by not meeting federal matching dollars. The Commission is working hard to educate policymakers about the impacts these cuts would have on Maine residents with disabilities who are seeking employment. Go here for information about how to take action on this issue.
Representative Anna Blodgett is sponsoring a statute (LD 149) that, if passed, would update the statue that defines the role of the Commission on Disability and Employment. These changes would clarify the focus of the Commission as an advisor to the Governor and the legislature on issues of employment for people with disabilities in Maine.
If you have any questions about this legislative session, please feel free to contact Mel Clarrage at (800) 452-1948 ext. 221 or by e-mail at mclarrage1@maine.rr.com.
Mark Your Calendar
Androscoggin County Job Fair
April 2, 2009, 9am – 2pm
Central Maine Community College
Auburn, ME
EmployME ’09 Career Fair
May 7, 2009, 10am – 2pm
The Bangor Civic Center
Bangor, ME
Disability Awareness Day
May 19, 2009; 8am - 2pm
State House Hall of Flags
Augusta, ME
Employment for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
Online, April 1 -30, 2009
Go here for more calendar items
Ideas for Stories
Please help us… we are seeking stories! Do you know of a worker or employer that we can feature in our newsletter? Please contact Leslie Pohl.
Sam and the Power of Partnership
By Ted Gammon, Independence Association, Employment Services Program Manager
Sam is an artist in every sense of the word. His attention to detail is one of his trademarks as evidenced by his magnificent charcoal drawings, his oil paintings and his dedication to his work. He is a proud member of the Spindleworks Association, an organization of artists with disabilities based in Brunswick. Sam is also one of the nicest guys one could ever have the pleasure of knowing. No matter how bad the day might be, seeing Sam and his warm smile just makes everything that much better. Sam is also a diligent worker. Sam’s pride in his work has always been appreciated by his employers. Unfortunately, with the economic downturn Sam was laid off from his job as things slowed down. This is where the work of a job developer came in.
Independence Association (IA), a nonprofit provider with 25 programs serving people with disabilities in mid-coast Maine, received permission from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Lewiston to begin the process of finding Sam another job. Months went by with no employment prospects. However, because of IA’s membership in the Employment Collaboration of Southern Maine, ECOSM—a new partnership of Maine service providers to share information, such as job referrals— there were more opportunities to get job leads.
A fellow ECOSM member who is a vocational administrator for Community Partners Inc, knew of a potential job in Brunswick at a convenience store. Andy, the store’s owner, turned out to be the manager all job developers want to meet. He is understanding, likable, and genuinely interested in hiring someone who really wants to work. After a conversation and a tour of the store it became clear that Sam was the job candidate who would meet and exceed Andy’s expectations.
With Sam’s natural abilities, attention to detail, past work history, and customer service skills, Sam was the perfect addition to Andy’s store. Sam got a chance to meet Andy that afternoon and was interviewed and hired the next day. Sam has excelled as an employee and is much appreciated by his employer. His job coach and trainer, Wil, reported that within three weeks, Sam knew his routine and was fast becoming a valued and trusted employee. Wil will be able to eventually fade out of the picture and allow Sam to become more independent at his worksite.
Knowing and understanding job seekers’ skills and desires, understanding the employers’ needs, and using networking resources—such as ECOSM—made Sam’s placement possible. Sam is happy with his new job. His smile says it all.
Outreach at Upcoming Job Fairs and Maine Transition Network Events
CHOICES CEO is working with the Maine Career Center’s Disability Program Navigators and the Maine Transition Network (MTN) to provide outreach and materials to job seekers with disabilities at upcoming job fair events and spring MTN events. Visit our webpage to learn more about this collaboration.
We hope that you are able to mark your calendars for the following events:
- Bangor: Mission Transition “Unlock Your Future” — March 31, 2009 from 8:30am – 1:30pm at Eastern Maine Community College. Snow date is April 1.
- Auburn: Androscoggin County Job Fair —April 2, 2009 from 9am-2pm at Central Maine Community College.
- Bangor: 12th Annual Spring Career & Job Fair —May 7, 2009 from 10am-2pm at the Bangor Civic Center.
- Augusta: Mission Transition of Kennebec Valley — May 15, 2009 from 8:30am – 1:30pm at the University of Maine at Augusta.
For a complete listing of spring MTN events go here, or contact the Maine Transition Network at (800) 328-9549 or (207) 621-9878, or e-mail: cot@mainetransition.org.
To learn more about Disability Program Navigators, contact Libby Stone-Sterling at (207) 623-7969, TTY (800) 794-1110, or by e-mail at Libby.Stone-Sterling@maine.gov.
Updates
Gearing Up for Disability Mentoring Day 2009
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a national event held every October that promotes vocational opportunities for students and job seekers with disabilities. In Maine, the event has been growing in attendance and success each year.
In 2008, there was a focus on youth with disabilities aged 17-25. In Southern Maine, 35 young people were matched with 21 employers for an informative day of job shadowing and workshops. Plans are now beginning for the 2009 event and we hope that you will become involved!
The Southern Maine DMD committee is extending an invitation to businesses and organizations that would like to serve as mentors this year. Participating employers can come from all sectors; businesses, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions are encouraged to sign up.
Participating youth gain valuable knowledge about vocational opportunities and learn about the demands and requirements of various jobs. Mentors learn more about young people with disabilities, including their determination to be productive members of the workforce.
For further information, please contact Southern Maine DMD local coordinator James Howard at (207) 347-3602 or james.e.howard@maine.gov. For statewide 2009 DMD information and contacts, please visit our DMD webpage which will be updated as the date draws closer.
New Benefits Counseling Website
Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services has a new website for those interested in Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)—commonly known as “benefits counseling”— which serves people who are receiving Social Security disability benefits and are currently employed or are interested in work.
The website has general information about free WIPA services and eligibility, referral forms that can be printed and mailed to get an appointment, an online request-for-services form, materials for referring agencies, and resources for people with disabilities returning to work. The site also has contact information for Community Work Incentives Coordinators who meet for free with people with disabilities who receive SSI or SSDI and want to work. They can answer many questions about how a job will affect a person's benefits.
New Online Resources on Homelessness and Employment
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website has new resources that address the employment needs of people who are homeless. The resources, which were developed for providers, include nine audio lectures. These lectures offer tips on outreach, engagement, and working with the employment system. Other publications are:
- Coordinating Community Plans Guidebook (PDF)
- Accessing Mainstream Employment and Income Support Programs (PDF)
- Documenting Employment Results Teleconference (PDF)
- Financing Employment Services for Homeless People Training Materials
See the HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange website for additional publications.
Finding a Job Under Maine’s New Ticket to Work Program
Ticket to Work is a national program that helps people who receive disability benefits from Social Security find a job. The program was launched in Maine in late 2003. This past July, new regulations took effect that are expected to make the program more successful.
Any person with a disability aged 18 to 64, who receives benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), is eligible for a Ticket. Eligible individuals can use their Ticket to obtain services from any qualified vendor, known as an Employment Network (EN). Upon mutual agreement between the EN and job seeker, the job seeker assigns their Ticket to the EN. When the individual obtains a job and reaches certain earning levels, the EN begins to receive payments from Social Security.
The program to date has not been very effective here in Maine. Since 2003, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has mailed actual physical “Tickets” to over 72,000 eligible Social Security beneficiaries who live in Maine. However, only 74 of these tickets have been used.
The recent changes to the system should result in more effective payment to ENs for services that they provide. As a result, it is expected that there will be more ENs in Maine, and that these ENs will provide more services than in the past. If successful, this improvement will expand the use of Tickets and reduce the use of services provided by Vocational Rehabilitation and other programs supported by state dollars.
So, take a look at the new Ticket program even if you thought in the past that it might not help you in your job search.
Do you need to find your actual paper Ticket in order to receive services? -No, a beneficiary does not need to have the paper Ticket in hand to participate in the Ticket program. Many people who have received Tickets in the mail did not realize what the tickets were and threw them away, while others have lost their paper Tickets since they received it. (View an image of a Ticket.)
If you receive Social Security disability benefits and want to learn more about Ticket to Work, or want to use your ticket for vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other services, visit our Ticket to Work resource page for contact information.
