Ask for Benefits Planning
written by Jared Price
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I walked through the doors of Vocational Rehabilitation and sat my counselor, Tina Lambert, and Kayla Peters, an employment consultant with Child-Adult- Resource Services (CARS). As we began to plan my future, Kayla asked for a Strategic plan of benefits to be completed on my behalf to which Tina agreed this needed to be done. Little did I know how that one request would have a lifelong impact on me.
“Little did I know how that one request would have a lifelong impact on me.”
The fear and anxiety of losing benefits are real. I had attempted jobs in the past on my own. Once my SSI check would start to decrease it would set off alarm bells in my head. I would immediately start thinking to myself there goes my check and my Medicaid along with it. This would lead to me finding reasons to leave the job and going back to what was comfortable and familiar. When I would get in my head like this, Kayla was always great at pulling me out and reminding me to focus on the bigger picture.
Let’s fast forward to the big reveal of the benefits plan. I remember providing all kinds of documentation and answering numerous questions about the current benefits that I was receiving. Little did I know how in-depth and detailed this plan would be. There were multiple areas discussed in the plan including current situation, available work incentives, health care, other benefits, future planning, and wage reporting. I can remember leaving that appointment and feeling a sense of relief and knowing that I had a copy of the plan that I could look back to as a point of reference. My favorite part was toward the end of the plan. It was broken down into actionable steps and had contact information for the various agencies mentioned in the plan for further support and questions.
I have worked my way off of SSI and am now responsible for paying a monthly payment to Medicaid to keep my coverage. I have both volunteered and worked for my current employer for over 9 years. Our organization helps to promote the independence of people with disabilities and remove barriers. I am currently in the process of completing my third recertification as a Certified Benefits Liaison. This allows me to share my knowledge about benefits and help others achieve their dreams of being employed.
In Conclusion
I have worked my way off of SSI and am now responsible for paying a monthly payment to Medicaid to keep my coverage. I have both volunteered and worked for my current employer for over 9 years. Our organization helps to promote the independence of people with disabilities and remove barriers.
I am currently in the process of completing my third recertification as a Certified Benefits Liaison. This allows me to share my knowledge about benefits and help others achieve their dreams of being employed.
About the writer
Jared Price was born with Cerebral Palsy and is legally blind. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History from Indiana State University. He has both volunteered and worked at The Wabash Independent Living and Learning Center, d.b.a. The WILL Center, since July of 2013. He began working at the Center full-time in March of 2015 as the Youth Transition Coordinator.
Jared is a 2017 graduate of the Indiana Partners in Policy Making Academy. This program is hosted by the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. The program aims to help people with disabilities and their family members develop their advocacy skills and use their voice to influence policy to bring about change for the Disability Community. Jared is also a Certified Benefits Liaison through Indiana University’s Indiana Institute of Disability and Community.
Jared enjoys spending time with his family, going on cruises, and traveling. Jared is in the process of buying his first home with his partner Derek, Leader Dog Middleton, and Winston the Corgi.
If you have questions, please contact Jared via email: jared@thewillcenter.org or by calling 812-298-9455 ext. 213.