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Guides



Employment: Prepare for Employment

People with disabilities face a myriad of unique challenges when it comes to securing a job. This guide is designed to introduce you to available programs, strategies and resources that will help you achieve your employment goal.

Click on the following links to learn more about what you can do to ensure that you reach your goal of employment.

  • Use Your "Ticket to Work"
  • Check Out Social Security Work Incentives
  • Investigate Your State Medicaid Buy-in Program
  • Learn How Working will Affect Your Disability Benefits
  • Contact Your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Office
  • Improve Your Computer Skills
  • Gain Experience Through Volunteer Work
  • Create/Update Your Resume
  • Prepare for the Interview

    Use Your "Ticket to Work”

    If you are receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, you are very likely eligible for their Ticket to Work Program. Your ticket can be used to obtain FREE employment services such as skills training, resume development, and job placement via an approved Employment Network or your local Vocational Rehabilitation Office. Chances are you have already received a Ticket without even realizing it.

    To learn more, check out the SSA-sponsored website     Choose Work or call 1-866-968-7842.

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    Check Out Social Security Work Incentives

    One of the biggest fears people with disabilities face in pursuing employment is the perceived risk of losing thier benefits in the event employment does not work out afterall. This is an unfounded fear in many cases.

    Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. And, in many cases, if you cannot continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can immediately start again.

    Following are a few employment incentive programs offered by the Social Security Administration:

    The rules are different under SSDI and SSI. To learn more about the various work incentives available, read Social Security’s publication Working While Disabled – How We Can Help.

    For a more in depth look, check out Social Security’s Red Book – A Guide to Work Incentives.

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    Investigate Your State Medicaid Buy-in Program

    Medicaid covers the cost of essential personal care services (such as in home attendtant care) that enable individuals to continue to live in the community and obtain gainful employment. While you may think working will eliminate your eligibility for Medicaid, this is not always the case.

    Under Section 201 of TWWIIA and Section 4733 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, States have the option to provide Medicaid to working people with disabilities whose earnings are too high for them to qualify for Medicaid under existing rules.

    At this time 42 states extend this option. Contact your local Medicaid office to learn if this program is available in your state.

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    Learn How Work Will Affect Your Disability Benefits

    To find out specifically how going to work could affect your disability benefits, you should contact a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project. WIPA staff can answer any questions you have about going to work and SSA Work Incentives. You can find a list of the WIPA projects by state using the Service Provider Directory.

    Your local Center for Independent Living might also employ a benefits counselor. To locate a CIL that serves your area, visit the ILRU Directory of Centers.

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    Contact Your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Office

    Every state offers Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals with disabilities. Services will vary from one office to the next, but in general will include job preparation, skills assessment/development and local job searches and placement. Such services are free to approved VR participants. Many state VR agencies will also cover the costs of schooling and training.

    To locate your local VR agency, complete a Google Search for [your state] vocational rehabilitation.

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    Improve Your Computer Skills

    Many jobs now require the use of a computer. Beyond the obvious benefits, learning how to use a computer can help you improve your critical thinking skills, which will prove useful in both your personal and professional life.

    Check out your local library or technical college for low cost, if not free computer training.

    If you have regular access to a computer (either at home or via your local library) you can receive free self-paced and instructor lead training via GCF Learn Free. Self-paced classes, which cover everything from computer and internet basics to e-mail and Facebook, feature easy to follow videos and outlines that make learning a breeze.

    Instructor lead classes are also offered in are being offered in Microsoft Access (database), Power Point (presentation), Excel (spreadsheet), and Word (word processing). To participate in these classes, you must have these programs installed on your computer.

    Check out the complete selection of classes by visiting GCF Learn Free.

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    Receive a Computer for Use in Your Home

    If you do not have a computer at home to practice your skills, there are many programs throughout the nation that provide low-cost or free refurbished computers to low-income individuals and families. To locate a Microsoft Registered Reburbisher in your area, visit Microsoft Refurbisher Program.

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    Gain Experience Through Volunteer Work

    Volunteer work will show potential employers, that you have continued to use and improve your skills despite your unemployment. Volunteering will also help you test your ability to work.

    Many non-profit organizations and churches are in need of reliable volunteers to fulfill their missions. Volunteer work can range from mail preparation or event coordination to mentoring or tutoring. Some positions will require several days per week, while others may require just a few hours. To ensure that your volunteer experience will be of benefit, look for a long-term position that offers at least one day’s worth of work per week.

    To ensure that you gain a valuable reference, you must treat your volunteer job just as you would a paid job. Show up on your scheduled days, act and dress professionally, take care to do the job accurately and thoroughly.

    Find volunteer opportunities by visiting     Volunteer Match or by contacting your local volunteer center.

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    Create/Update Your Resume

    A common issue for many individuals with disbilities is a lack of or a significant gap in employment history. Despite one's lack of employment history it is still possible to develop a winning resume.

    If you have a significant gap in your employment history, or no employment history at all, you will need to develop a functional resume. The functional resume focuses on your skills first and your experience second. You will first focus on the assets that you can bring to the specific job you are seeking. If you do not have much formal work experience, you should list any skills or experience that you have picked up while volunteering or in training. Following are a few specific suggestions:

  • Professional skills (related to the job for which you are applying)
  • Volunteer work experience (church, voting polls, organizations or clubs, other non-profit organizations)
  • Recent classes that you have taken
  • Computer skills

    Always be honest, do not list skills that you really do not have. Remember, you cannot create something out of nothing, it is essential that you gain work experience through volunteer work and that you take classes to improve your employment skills.

    It is recommended that you not specifically mention your disability on the resume or cover letter unless the position directly relates to your experiences as an individual with a disability.

    For more on resume development, visit GCF Learn Free: Resume Writing.

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    Prepare for the Interview

    The interview is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a great impression. Following are a few tips to help you fully prepare for the big day:

  • Research the company or organization and make sure you fully understand the scope of their work. Also be certain that you fully understand the tasks associated with the job for which you are applying. Interviewers are impressed by candidates that ask intelligent questions concerning the organization and position.

  • Practice answering common questions in the mirror or with a friend. A few common questions include:

  • Pick out professional looking attire. Make sure your interview attire is in line with the company's culture. You may not want to invest in a suit if the company encourages business casual attire. Never wear jeans, t-shirts, or street shoes to an interview. Make certain your appearance is neat and clean.

    For more on interview preparation, visit GCF Learn Free: Interviewing Skills.

    Disclosing Your Disability

    Employment lawyers advise that if your disability is not apparent you should not discuss it until after you have received a job offer. There may, however, be a few instances where you might consider disclosing your disability:

  • You will need an accommodation for the interview
  • You must explain disability-related gaps in your employment history
  • You wish to highlight your personal traits (i.e. problem solving, resourcefulness, the ability to adapt and learn quickly, etc.) that arise from your ability to contend with your disability.

    If you do choose to disclose your disability, discuss it in only a positive manner. Focus on what you can do, not what you cannot do.

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    For more on the topic of Employment:

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    [Updated July 31, 2011]
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