Transcript Interviewing 101 Workshop

Melissa Mitchell
Employment Counselor
Midtown Job Center
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“It’s a full time job looking for a job!”
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Muldoon Job Center – 269-0000
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Midtown Job Center – 269-4759
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Youth Job Center – (ages 14–24) – 334-2587
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Eagle River Job Center – 694-6904
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Open 8am – 5pm
Monday – Friday
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70+ Computers….
8000+ Visitors monthly
Resource Room:
Printers….
Fax Machine…..
Copiers….
Information…
Staff Assistance…..
No cost for any of our services.
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Workshops!
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Interviewing 101
Resume Writing
State of AK applications
Job Search
Employment After Incarceration
Employment Counselors and Vet Reps
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http://www.jobs.state.ak.us/
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Assistive Technology
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Which of our services best meet the
customer’s needs?
Job experience and skill
building at the job center.
Partnership Plus with
Ticket to Work
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Job skills assessment – results in receiving a
National Career Readiness Certificate
Skills needed for any occupation and at any
level of education
Measures these skills:
Reading for Information
Applied Math
Locating Information
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Apprenticeships
Construction Academy
Some State of Alaska Jobs
Other Companies
Certificate can also be listed on a
resume/application to show the skill level
in these areas.
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1. Career Ready 101 – an online
practice course.
2. Come into the job center and complete
the proctored Work Keys assessments.
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The Alaska NCRC – Powered by WorkKeys®
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A business insurance policy that protects the
employer in case of loss of money or property
due to employee dishonesty such as:
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theft
forgery
larceny
embezzlement
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◦ For people with felonies/misdemeanors and other
“at-risk” job applicants designated by the insurance
industry as being NOT BONDABLE
◦ $5,000 Bond for a 6 month period
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Simple form for the Job Center staff to complete.
The insurance can be put into effect instantly at
time of job offer - no approval processing.
There are no forms or other papers for the
employer to fill-out.
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Contact any job center!
Call or visit the resource room
and
the staff will be able to help.
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Job Center Employment Network
and
Ticket to Work
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Social Security Disability
Benefit Programs
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Both SSDI and SSI – concurrent benefits
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What is SSDI?
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Social Security benefits provided to a person who
is disabled or blind who has enough work credits.
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SSDI medical program is Medicare.
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What is SSI?
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Social Security benefits provided to a person who
is disabled or blind who has limited income or
resources.
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SSI recipients usually receive $721/month
(2014).
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SSI medical program is Medicaid.
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Ticket to Work Program
• Voluntary Program of the Social Security Administration
• Eligibility - SSDI/SSI beneficiaries ages 18-64
Goals:
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Encourage people to try employment
Reduce reliance on disability benefits
Increase self-sufficiency
Improve quality of life
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Why participate in the
Ticket to Work program?
 Assistance and support with employment
services.
 Help with navigating and understanding the
program and work incentives.
 Protection from medical disability reviews.
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What are Social Security
Work Incentives?
They are encouragements from SSA to try
working – without losing all benefits immediately.
There are different Work Incentives for SSDI vs SSI
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Main questions and
concerns…
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Will I lose my benefits and health care?
How do I get the skills and experience I
need?
What if I have to stop working?
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As an Employment Network,
we can help
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Employment Counselor
Answers questions about returning to work and
help with employment skills
Benefits Analysis
Answers questions about how work will impact
Social Security disability benefits
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EN Services provided at the
Job Center:
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Career counseling and guidance
Vocational assessment/exploration
Resume development
Interview preparation
Job search assistance
Job coaching
Social Security benefits advisement
Information regarding the Alaska Working Medicaid Buy-In program
Job accommodation instruction and assistance
Follow-up supports including general employment guidance, job
retention services and ongoing Social Security Disability benefits
advisement
Possible on-the-job training or skills training utilizing funding though
the Workforce Investment Act, based on eligibility
Referrals to additional services and supports
Assistive technology
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Additional EN Job Center
Services
• Partnership Plus
Option to receive continued employment support at
the job center after DVR case closure.
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SSDI Work Incentive #1
9 month Trial Work Period
• Monthly wages are $770 + = Trial Work Period month
• Keep entire SSDI check
• Medicare coverage continues
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SSDI Work Incentive #2
Extended Period of Eligibility – 3 years
• When wages are over a certain amount – no SSDI check.
• $1,070 (2014 SGA non-blind)
• $1,800 (2014 SGA blind)
• Medicare coverage continues as long as the SSA disability
requirement is met
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SSDI Work Incentive #3
5 year Reinstatement Period
• 5 years after SSDI check is ended to reinstate previous
claim - don’t have to file a new application.
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SSI Work Incentives
• SSA counts less than half of the earned
income
 Wages do affect the amount of the SSI check,
but SSA counts less than half of wages
 SSI check will be reduced to zero if earnings are high
enough to reach the break-even point
 The break-even point for 2014 is $1,507/mos
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SSI Work Incentives
Example:
$865 in wages
- 65 exclusions
$800
Half of $800 is $400
$400 is subtracted from SSI
$721 - SSI rate (2014)
- 400
$321 adjusted SSI check
Total Financial Outcome:
$ 865 wages
+ 321 SSI check
$1186 – total monthly $ !
Working =
more monthly income!
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SSI Work Incentives
Easy Reinstatement –
• Benefits can start again if working stops or earnings
decrease
• No need to file a new application, inform SSA that status has
changed
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Ticket to Work
Incentives
There are several more work incentives for
both SSDI and SSI…..and lots more details!
This is only Ticket to Work 101…. 
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Questions?
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Melissa Mitchell
Employment Counselor II
Midtown Job Center
269-6514
[email protected]
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