Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Workshops spell out Social Security issues
Info for people with disabilities
BY SUE MacDONALD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Eleven Tristate agencies are sponsoring a workshop to help parents, guardians and family members understand the confusing and always-changing issues surrounding Social Security benefits for people who are mentally retarded, mentally ill or disabled.
“It can get rather cumbersome and frightening,” says Amy Tuell, benefits specialist with the Hamilton County MR/DD (Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities) board and main speaker for the workshop.
“Benefits Basics: Social Security (What You Don't Know Can Hurt You” is geared to family members and professionals who want to know the ins and outs of benefits for disabled workers.
For families, the biggest issues revolve around what happens to benefits if a disabled family member takes a paying job, Ms. Tuell says. Will working jeopardize the person's medical benefits or reduce disability payments? It all depends, she says.
“Social Security benefits were put in place when people with disabilities were not expected to work, not considered capable of work and not encouraged to work,” she says. “Now, with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), supported employment and advances in technology, many people are able to do jobs they never thought of before,” she says.
It's important, she explains, for guardians and family members to know how a disabled person's job income can affect his or her benefits, whether the source is Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans or welfare programs, even programs for people with black lung disease.
Sometimes, people with disabilities refuse to work or will not seek work for fear of losing their disability incomes. But changes by Congress have added a number of incentives that allow disabled people to work without endangering benefits, she says.
The two-hour workshop will lay the groundwork for understanding basic information about benefits, incentives and jobs.
IF YOU GO
• What: “Benefits Basics: Social Security (What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!)”
• When: Two-hour workshops offered Nov. 3-5 with morning, afternoon or evening sessions available.
• Where: Butler County Mental Health Board, 5963 Boymel Drive, Fairfield.
• Information: $10 donation suggested. Register by Thursday at 631-9500 or (800) 874-0268.
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