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SPI Topical Conference - Lets Get People Working

Agenda:

Employment Supports for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
Serving People with Disabilities through One Stops and Workforce Development
Establishing and Implementing Medicaid Buy-In

When: March 6 - 7, 2001
Where: Denver, CO 80202

Social Security Administration Increase in SGA Level

The Social Security Administration has announced several new rules that took effect January 1, 2001, that will allow more persons with disabilities to test their ability to work without fear of losing their cash benefits and important health care coverage. The first new rule increases the amount of earnings that are considered to be gainful employment. Beginning January 1, a Social Security Disability beneficiary can earn $740 a month and remain eligible for benefits. The second new rule affects the trial work period (TWP). The third and final rule in the package allows for more income to be excluded when a student who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) returns to work. For more information read the SSA Press Release.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

In the Thursday, December 28, 2000 edition of the Federal Register are proposing rules to implement the new ``Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program'' (Ticket to Work program) authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Text Version | PDF Version

To be sure that your comments are considered, SSA must receive them no later than February 26, 2001. Comments should be submitted: In writing, to the Commissioner of Social Security; or Delivered to the Office of Process and Innovation Management, Social Security Administration.

New Guide Helps People with Mental Illness Resolve Employment Discrimination Problems

Society's fear, prejudices and lack of information about mental illness all too often leads to discrimination of people with psychiatric disorders in the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids discrimination against people with both physical and mental disabilities in employment, transportation, public facilities, and public communications. The ADA is a legal tool to fight discrimination.

Copies of this new guide are available free of charge by calling the CMHS Knowledge Exchange Network

DOL Announces Work Incentive Grants Awards

Twenty-three state and local programs will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities under an 18-month, $20 million Work Incentive Grant program.

For a listing of programs receiving awards, see ETA Press Release

HHS has a Web site on Olmstead Implementation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established a new web site involving the implementation of the Olmstead decision and the ADA. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Civil Rights, and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) have formed a workgroup to address continuing questions and issues involving the implementation of the Olmstead decision and the ADA. States and stakeholders may submit policy questions and recommendations to the workgroup at:
Answers to the questions will be posted on the web site.

WIA Implementation Questions and Answers

In an effort to simplify access to all questions and answers that have been issued on WIA implementation to date, the Employment & Training Administration (ETA) of The Department of Labor (DOL) has organized frequently asked Q&A's into one single Master Set. These Q & A's will be supplemented with new issuances periodically. WIA Implementation Questions and Answers

Work Incentives Advisory Panel is Appointed

President Clinton has appointed Sarah Wiggins Mitchell, President and Executive Director of the New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc., to chair the panel. She is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bars and has a background in nursing and social work. By law, the advisory panel will meet quarterly and is composed of 12 members. The panel meetings are open to the public. Panel members.

The major duties of the Panel are to advise the Commissioner of Social Security and report to congress on implementation of the Ticket program. In this role the panel will advise the Commissioner on:

The establishment of phase-in sites for implementation of the program;
Access of beneficiaries with disabilities to employment networks, payment systems, and management information systems to ensure success of the program;
Effective designs for research and demonstration projects associated with the program or conducted with respect to the reduction in disability insurance benefits based on earnings
Development of performance measures for the employment networks; and
Furnishing progress reports on the program to the commissioner and Congress.

About the State Partnership Initiative - TWWIIA - Benefits Assistance
Waivers & Buy-Ins - Employment Resources - SSA / RSA Partnership