by Disability Linkage Line
Staff
I work and need health care
coverage. They tell me my mental health condition is not severe enough
to qualify for disability benefits. But if I don’t get my prescriptions,
I won’t be able to maintain my job. What do I do?
The Department of Human Services has a demonstration project called
Stay Well, Stay Working (SWSW) that could help. The project is intended
to make workers as healthy as they can be by offering coordinated
health care, employment assistance and peer support services in a
comprehensive, coordinated way.
What benefits are offered to workers in the Stay Well, Stay Working
Service Group?
SWSW enrollees have excellent coverage with very low co-payments.
For a $10 monthly premium, enrollees receive a full range of health
care benefits and employment supports. Health care benefits include
physician visits, mental health services and prescription drugs,
as well as dental and eye-care coverage. Chemical dependency treatment
is also available.
Each participant has access to a personal wellness and employment
navigator. Navigators can help enrollees get all the services and
supports available through SWSW. They can also help enrollees resolve
work or health issues and develop a work and wellness plan. SWSW
members even have access to career counseling services!
Who can apply?
SWSW is intended for employed people who are living with a mental
health condition. To be eligible, you have to work at least 40 hours
per month and earn at least minimum wage. You also have to be between
the ages of 18 and 60. The program is only available in Hennepin,
Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, St. Louis, Pine, Carlton and Lake counties.
Who is not able to enroll?
Unfortunately, people may not enroll if they receive Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability benefits, have
been certified disabled by the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) or
have Medical Assistance through a county office.
What does it mean to ‘participate in a demonstration project’?
Because SWSW is a demonstration project, there will be two different
groups of enrollees. Those eligible for SWSW will be randomly placed
in either a “payment only” control group or a “full
service” intervention group. People in the control group will
receive payment for taking written surveys. People in the intervention
group will get the benefits described above as well as payment for
written surveys. Placement in the control group will not affect any
other benefits that you may have.
How can I get more information and apply?
If you would like more information
or an application, please call 651-431-4300 or 1-866-267-7655. ![]()
If you have additional questions
about community resources, please call DLL at 1-866-333-2466. 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 orgs.
