Slide 1: UMass Medical School Commonwealth Medicine
Work Without Limits
Putting abilities to work

One Care Implementation Council

One Care
MassHealth + Medicare
Bringing your care together
February 11, 2020
Slide 2: Work Without Limits Suite of Services
Note: this slide shows the Work Without Limits HIRE Thinking model where UMass Medical School and Work Without Limits are in the center of a circle with arrows radiating out to each of the services they provide.  This includes:
•	Training & Consulting
•	Events
•	Benefits Counseling
•	Administrative Employment Network
•	Resources
•	IN Massachusetts
Slide 3: Why We Do What We Do: Disability Statistics in the U.S.
Note: this slide includes a background image of a map of the 50 United States with silhouettes of eight people grouped together in the center of the map. The person in the front is highlighted to illustrate that the others are focused on that person. The following text is superimposed on the map as well and surrounds the group.
•	Nearly 13% of people in the U.S. have a disability – that’s roughly 1:8
•	Unemployment rate for Americans with a disability is 6.9% compared to 3.2% for Americans without disability 
•	Nearly 30% of American families have at least one family member with a disability
•	1 out of 59 children in the U.S. are diagnosed on the autism spectrum
•	72% of people with disabilities who are unemployed would prefer to be working
•	20.7% of people with disabilities participate in the labor market compared to 68.9% of Americans without a disability
Slide 4: Our Services
Note: this slide includes an image of a younger and older man engaged in a conversation. 
Work Without Limits
Benefits Counseling
•	Serves individuals with disabilities, family members, and employment service providers
•	How work earnings affect eligibility for public benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, subsidized housing, and others
Outcomes Snapshot
•	1,100+ referrals and 800+ served per year
o	“I am more confident returning to work, maintaining my employment, increasing my hours.” - Benefits Counseling Client
•	Benefits Counseling services increase working hours by 31% and increase weekly earnings of SSI/SSDI beneficiaries by 40%
Slide 5: Don’t Believe Myths!
Note: this slide includes a silhouette of a person in the middle of the slide surrounded by think clouds with the following text in each of the clouds.

•	If I get off my benefits, I’ll never get them back again
•	If I work, I’ll lose my cash benefits!
•	If I work, I’ll be worse off financially!
•	I can’t work more than 20 hours, or I’ll lose my benefits!
•	If I work, I will lose my health insurance!
Slide 6: Here are the Facts
•	FACT: There are ways to maintain SSI & SSDI benefits using work incentives that are built into the benefit programs
•	FACT: Individuals can keep their MassHealth and Medicare while working
•	FACT: Both Social Security programs provide ways to get the cash payment back again if it is stopped due to earnings
•	FACT: Benefits counseling can help individuals achieve self-sufficiency with minimal risk
•	FACT: Individuals can achieve success by volunteering and through part-time or full-time employment
Slide 7: Success story
Sarah’s Story
Sarah wanted to work with animals but needed support
•	Worked with MRC for assistance with a certificate program to work with animals & job placement
•	Met with a Benefits Counselor to understand how work impacts SSI benefits & health insurance
•	Received additional supports through the local independent living center as she returned to work
Sarah works part-time at a doggie daycare and loves her job! She has maintained part of her SSI benefits for now.
Slide 8: Our Services
Work Without Limits
Administrative Employment Network (AEN)
•	AEN partners with community agencies to maximize revenue through SSA’s Ticket to Work program.
•	SSA provides payments to the AEN which are then shared with partnering organizations.
•	The AEN provides enhanced benefits counseling to support individual work goals.

There are no geographic limitations. The AEN can accept referrals from anywhere in the US.
Note: to illustrate this point, there is a colorful image of a map of the 50 United States included here.
Outcomes Snapshot
•	$704,762 Revenue generated since 2015
•	200 Tickets Assigned since 2015
•	14 AEN Partners
•	“The work incentive & benefits counseling provided has been a powerful, and empowering tool for people’s financial and mental health.” - AEN Partner
Slide 9: Success story
Laurie’s Story
Laurie works part-time as a Receptionist and unexpectedly her SSDI benefits stopped 
•	Met with a Benefits Counselor to resolve issues and implement Work Incentives to maintain SSDI
•	Received additional supports through Peer Support at a local Clubhouse & Therapy
Laurie continues to work part-time and receive her SSDI with community supports.

Slide 10: Our Services
Work Without Limits
Training & Consulting

•	For employers – disability sensitivity, awareness & etiquette, and interviewing, managing & accommodating employees with disabilities
•	For employment service providers – the impact of work and earnings on public benefits
Outcomes Snapshot
•	7 years & 200+ Trainings delivered to employers and employment service providers
•	“So grateful my company is doing this inclusive series. EVERYONE should come. This makes me proud to work here.” – Employer Training Attendee
•	“The benefits training made me confident to advise clients and/or refer them to Work Without Limits.” – Provider Training Attendee
•	6,177 Individuals trained
Slide 11: Trainings Offered
Public Benefits and Employment:
•	Overview of Social Security Work Incentives for Families and Persons Served
•	The Basics of Social Security Work Incentives for Providers
•	Disability Benefits and Transition Age Youth
•	The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Intensive
•	The Nuts and Bolts of SSI and SSDI, Public Health Insurance and Other Public Benefits
•	Customized trainings offered to meet each organization’s needs
o	Example: How to Talk About Work for Care Coordinators
Disability Inclusion:
•	Supporting the Career Development of College Students with Mental Health Conditions 
•	Understanding Corporate Disability Inclusion Practices
 …and more!
Visit www.WorkWithoutLimits.org/contact to get more information.

Slide 12: Success story
John’s Story
John is a Registered Nurse and has been out of work
•	Worked with MassHire for assistance with resume update and online applications
•	Met with a Benefits Counselor to understand how work impacts SSDI benefits & health insurance
•	Received additional supports through his network of friends and family
John works full-time with some accommodations and has transitioned off of SSDI benefits with benefits supports
Slide 13: Work Without Limits Experience
Partnering with:
•	Rehabilitation centers, health plans, and more, facilitating outreach to people about potential employment pathways
•	Health plans to integrate persons with disabilities in their workforce through customized trainings
•	Organizations to build relationships with MRC and other employment services
•	Individuals achieving small incremental successes over time
Slide 14: Questions & Discussion
Marjorie Longo, Project Coordinator
Work Without Limits Administrative Employment Network (AEN)
Marjorie.longo@umassmed.edu
Tel: 508-340-3888
For more information, visit: www.workwithoutlimits.org