FAQ@DLL
Work Impacts Your Benefits
by the Disability Linkage Line
Staff
Q: I want to go back to work
but am afraid of being worse off. Where can I find out how work will
affect my government benefits?
A: The Minnesota Work Incentives Connection offers free services
that can help.
Different benefit programs have different rules. The Minnesota Work
Incentives Connection can help you determine the bottom line, in
terms of how much money you will have relying solely on government
benefits versus how much you would have if you worked and perhaps
gave up some of those benefits. They can also help you understand
work incentives which might apply to help you transition back to
work.
The Connection is a central place where you can get answers to questions,
such as:
• Will I really be better off taking a job, working more hours
or accepting a promotion than limiting my earnings or not working at
all?
• What are my options
for keeping the health coverage I need due to my disability?
• Which rules apply to the specific benefits I receive?
• How will my work affect my children’s benefits?
• Will I have to
move out of my subsidized housing if my income goes up?
• I’ve heard about special rules called “Trial Work
Period,” “Extended Period of Eligibility,” “PASS,” “Subsidy” and “IRWE.” Which
of these apply to my situation?
• How much would I have to earn to make up for the benefits I
give up?
• What are the safety nets if I move off benefits, but need them
again later if my abilities change?
Which Benefits Can They Tell
Me About?
They can help you understand
how work affects:
• SSI: Supplemental Security Income
• SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance: Medical Assistance, Medicare, Min-nesotaCare,
and other health insurance
• Food Support
• Subsidized housing
• Group Residential Housing
• Other Government benefits
Will They Tell Me if I am
Better Off Working?
The Connection will not tell
you how much you should work; they will simply give you the information
you need to make an informed choice about benefits and working. The
Connection’s goal is to provide
you with clear, accurate, individualized and confidential assistance
so you can make that choice. Although the rules can be complicated,
most people with disabilities are better off working than not working.
How Do They Provide Services?
Services
are offered to Minnesotans with all types of disabilities and include:
A Telephone Hotline to answer questions about work and benefits;
solve benefits problems; and help you advocate for yourself with
Social Security, the county or housing representatives. The Hotline
is answered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 8:30
and 4:30. If these times are not convenient, you can leave a message
with other times when someone can call you back. (see number below)
Benefits Analysis—an
individualized, written plan, detailing: how work affects each
of your benefits; work incentives that apply to you; health care
options; and your overall financial situation before and after
working. Benefits Analysis also includes assistance in tracking
wages and benefits, along with ongoing follow up and support.
How Do I Find Out More?
One
way to make sure you have up-to-date information on work and benefits
is to get on their mailing list, - just give them a call to sign
up. You can also look on their Web site: www.mnworkincentives.com
To reach the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection, call:
• In the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area: 651-632-5113
• From Greater Minnesota:
1-800-976-6728
• Via TTY: 651-632-5110 or MN Relay – 711 ![]()
If you have additional questions about telework, please call the
Disability Linkage Line at 1-866-333-2466. The DLL provides free,
disability-related information and assistance for Minnesotans. DLL
does not endorse any particular Web site or provider. They assume
no responsibility for transactions between the readers of this article
and listed organizations.
