“Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

- Confucius

“If A is a success in life, then A = x + y + z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.”

- Albert Einstein

Working With Epilepsy

Tips, Ideas and Resources

Working With Epilepsy

• • • Benefits and working Top 8 job search tips Assistance and Resources: PEP Jobs, Department of Rehabilitation and others • Q & A, Closing

Benefits and Working

 Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)  State Disability Insurance (SDI)  Medi-Cal / Medicare

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)



Program:

Federal supplemental income for the aged and disabled in need.



Benefit:

Monthly disability income for those with limited income and resources.



Eligibility:

Medical proof that total disability will last at least one year.



Participancy:

Available to those who can demonstrate need.

Source: www.db101.org

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)



Program:

Federally-administered long-term wage loss insurance.



Benefit:

Monthly disability income based on insured worker's earnings.



Eligibility:

Medical proof that total disability will last a year or more.



Participancy:

Most individuals pay premiums through FICA deductions.

Source: www.db101.org

State Disability Insurance (SDI)

   

Program:

State-administered short term wage loss insurance.

Benefit:

May replace up to 55% of gross wages for up to 52 weeks.

Eligibility:

child.

Medical proof that a disabling condition is the cause of wage loss, or proof that you are caring for a sick relative or bonding with a new

Participancy:

Most individuals pay premiums through their employers.

Source: www.db101.org

Some differences…

 SSI is $856 a month since January 2007 for everyone in CA (if you aren’t working), SSDI and SDI payments are based on age, earnings and eligibility from paycheck contributions  SSDI and SSI have different return-to-work programs. (e.g. PASS plan for SSI, not SSDI)

Medi-Cal and Medicare

   Medi-Cal – State medical coverage for legal California residents with disabilities or limited incomes. Medicare – Federal medical program for individuals over 65, SSDI - eligible individuals with disabilities, or individuals with permanent kidney failure.

The difference? More ways to qualify for Medi-Cal by demonstrating need (low income, etc)

     

Can I work while receiving cash benefits?

SSI – Yes!

Can earn below $900 a month without any effect Over $900 /mo will reduce cash benefit but you can deduct certain expenses from your countable income If your benefit drops to 0, you can get back on easily “Expedited Reinstatement” SDI – Yes!

Can work part-time and have partial coverage continue longer than 52 weeks.       SSDI – Yes!

No effect if below $640/mo.

Months with income over $640 are “Trial Work Months” where you still receive full benefits. You are allowed 9 of them in a 5 year period.

Extended period of eligibility – another 3 months of benefits.

12 months of your full benefits in total!

Expedited Reinstatement

What happens to my medical benefits?

  Medicare – If receiving SSDI, benefits continue through Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility and 5 years after that… Medi-Cal – SSI Linked eligibility will end. However, coverage can continue through a number of programs.

Medi-Cal Programs

   Aged and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Cal is free. Must earn less than $1081/month and have less than $2000 in assets.

– Medi 250% California Working Disabled Program assets. – pay a premium for coverage. Must make less than $2128/month and have less than $2000 in Aged, Blind, and Disabled - Medically Needy pay a “share of cost” –

Make sure to talk to a Benefits Counselor Before Making any Decisions!

Social Security Phone: 1-800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov

Top 8 Job Search Tips #8 – Treat the job search like a job. • Schedule time each week to search for openings, fill out applications, follow-up, etc. The more work you put in, the more you will get out.

#7 Know where to look.

• • • • 2 Best internet sites for small to mid-size companies (in this area)– www.craigslist.org

and www.indeed.com

Individual websites for large companies, government jobs In-person for small stores, “mom ‘n pops”, etc.

Job fairs, networking events

#6 Regularly update your resume

• • • • Cover letters and resumes are not “one size fits all” anymore!

May have different versions for different types of jobs. Include specific qualifications from job announcement on your resume.

Cover letter (or cover email) should also be specific to job you are applying for.

#5 Network, network, network!

• • • • Most people get jobs through referrals and people they know Go to job fairs Go to events where you will meet people in the field Call companies you are interested in and set up meetings with managers

#4 Talk to the right people

• • Human resources in large companies screen people out Try to find the hiring manager – the person with the decision making power

#3 Do your homework

• • • • Always research a company you are going to interview with. They expect you to know something about them and the job when you come in.

Prepare your answers for commonly asked interview questions (e.g. Why are you interested in this job? and What makes you the best candidate for the job?) Make sure to have some good questions about the job ready for the end of the interview.

Bring references to interview.

#2 Always follow-up

• • • When you make new contacts with a potential employer, call or email them on a regular basis.

When applying for jobs, give them a call or email a few days to a week after applying to express interest.

After interviews, send a “thank-you” card to the interviewer.

#1 Don’t give up!

• • • Persistence is key to a successful job search.

An active job search can have a lot of rejection involved.

Find ways to blow off steam when the job search gets frustrating.

Assistance & Resources

     Department of Rehabilitation – State of CA agency that helps people with disabilities achieve their vocational goals Can provide training, funds for job search, job placement services, job retention / accommodations for those who qualify Offices listed at www.dor.ca.gov

United Way Bay Area 2-1-1 by phone or www.211bayarea.org

Benefits and Job Search

   Disability Benefits 101 Website www.db101.org

has master list of Benefits Counselors in CA Your local county “one-stop” office for job seeker services and benefits – offices listed in packet Non-profits that provide services for people with disabilities - Can be found through Dept of Rehabilitation or county offices

PEP Jobs in San Francisco

 Job Placement service for people with epilepsy located at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco  Currently serving San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties, with planned expansion to other areas

Services of PEP Jobs

 Employment Preparation:  Selection of job goal  Resume writing  Job search strategy  Applying for jobs  Interview preparation  Job offer negotiation  Disclosing of disability and requesting accommodations  Referral to job training and other services

Services of PEP Jobs

 Job Placement  Providing job leads  Referring to employers  Helping to complete / review applications  Assisting with follow-up on applications  Setting up networking opportunities  General assistance with job search

Services of PEP Jobs

 Job Retention  Providing assistance with obtaining needed accommodations (e.g. job coaching, change in schedule)  Regular follow-up with employer and participant for at least 90 days

Questions

?

Contact Information

 Contact Matt Poland: (415) 600-1378 [email protected]

www.cpmc.org/pepjobs  Mail To: PEP Jobs Program 2100 Webster St., Suite 115 San Francisco, CA 94115