Is Working The Right Choice For You?
If you get benefits from Social Security or other agencies, you’re probably worried about how working will affect your benefits. A lot of people have questions like:
Will working change my benefit amount?
Will my benefit stop as soon as I start working?
Will I lose the Medicare or Medicaid coverage I need?
There are resources that can help you decide whether working is the right choice for you. Some of these resources are from Social Security and other agencies, but Mo P&A has developed some resources too.
Benefits counselors can also help you make this decision, especially if you are already working or getting ready to work.
Myths About Benefits and Work
There are several common myths about how working affects benefits. If you’ve heard some of these myths, you might think working is a bad idea.
One of the most common myths is “If I try to go to work, I will automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid.” But this is not true. Use the links below to learn more about these myths and what actually happens to benefits when working.
Ticket to Work: Debunking the Three BIGGEST Myths about Disability Benefits and Work
Ticket to Work: Work Incentives
Social Security: Keeping Your Medical Benefits after SSI Cash Benefits Have Stopped
Benefits Counseling
Benefits counselors explain how working will affect your benefits, and which “work incentives” or safety nets you can use to help you transition to work. Your benefits counselor can also refer you to other programs or agencies that can help you.
If you aren’t ready to work with a benefits counselor, you can also use the MO Disability Benefits 101: Benefits and Work Estimator. This estimator can help you learn how a job might affect your health care, benefits, and overall income.
How do I Find a Benefits Counselor?
A lot of providers have benefits counselors. The right provider for you may depend on:
The type of benefits you get
Your age, since some programs have age limits
Your goals and support needs
Ticket to Work: Employment Networks
Social Security’s Ticket program helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence. The Ticket program is free and voluntary.
If you are age 18 through 64 and receive Social Security disability benefits, you can participate in the Ticket program.
“Employment Networks” or ENs are organizations that contract with Social Security. An EN can be a private or public organization. Employment Networks provide free employment support services under the Ticket program. These services can include Benefits Counseling.
Ticket to Work: Meet Your Employment Team - Employment Networks
Ticket to Work: Find Help Tool - Employment Networks with Benefits Counselors
WIPA Projects
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects are funded by Social Security. WIPA provides free benefits counseling to all Social Security disability beneficiaries.
If you are between age 14 through your Full Retirement Age and receive Social Security disability benefits, you can get help from WIPA. Benefits counseling services from a WIPA are available if you are already working or getting ready to work. These services can also be available if you are a veteran, or are age 14 - 25.
You do not need to participate in the Ticket program to get help from WIPA. But WIPA can be part of your “Employment Team,” which are the providers that will support you on your journey to financial independence.
Mo P&A: Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
Ticket to Work: Meet Your Employment Team - Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) Projects
Ticket to Work: Find Help Tool - Benefits Counseling (WIPA)
MO Department of Mental Health: Employment Services
The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) can provide employment services to the individuals they support. These services can include benefits planning. DMH can provide employment services under the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Behavioral Health.
If you get help from DMH and are interested in working how it will affect your benefits, ask your provider if employment services are available to you.