Employment – Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program

ADAP wants adults and youth with disabilities to have meaningful access to integrated employment and be paid at least minimum wage.

On three national measures of employment of persons with significant disabilities, Alabama comes up dead last. On the fourth measure, we fared a little better – but not much – coming in at 47th place. That’s the sobering result revealed in a recently completed nationwide analysis of employment outcomes by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI). If you’re a champion of expanded employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, including Employment First efforts, take a look at this data and the resources below to inform your advocacy.

ADAP provides work incentive assistance to persons receiving SSI and SSDI and who are seeking vocational rehabilitation and other support services to secure or regain employment.

"Debunking the three biggest myths about Disability Benefits and Work" with the number three drawn largely to the right of the wording with cartoon image of two clip art style wheels stacked together with multiple gears lining the bottom like a border.

There are several common myths about how working will affect disability benefits and healthcare coverage.
Here are the three most common and why they are WRONG.

"Using Impairment-Related Work Expenses to Safeguard Social Security Benefits" Showing a large dollar sign to the right of the wording with cartoon image of two clip art style wheels stacked together with multiple gears lining the bottom like a border.

Social Security Work Incentives can help eligible people with disabilities transition to the workplace. Whether you’re looking for a job for the first time or returning to work after an injury or illness, Work Incentives can help you through the transition to work and towards financial independence.

"Trial Work Period" written to the right of a clip art style mountain drawn with a gear in the middle of the mountain and a star at the top of the mountain with cartoon image of two clip art style wheels stacked together with multiple gears lining the bottom like a border.

The Trial Work Period (TWP) is one of the many Work Incentives available to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients.

"Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) written to the left with a clip art style image of a chart on an easel containing an o and x and a path drawn between them like a map with cartoon image of two clip art style wheels stacked together with multiple gears lining the bottom like a border.

If you receive SSI or can become eligible for SSI, a PASS allows you to set aside income or resources to use for your career goals.

Resources

SSA Work Supports – Education, Advocacy, Outreach and Planning for Individuals receiving SSA benefits who want to work.

SSI for Youth Who Want To Work – Employment Supports for Youth Who Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) Social Security Disability Programs – ADRS operates a work incentives program to help SSI and SSDI beneficiaries make informed decisions regarding issues related to returning to work and how employment may affect their current and future benefit status