(If you are looking for jobs at MDS, please visit the Jobs page.)
For many people, working is critical to one’s place in their family and community at large, an essential part of living.
Applying for benefits, being awarded benefits, and properly maintaining them are important steps in the process of finding a job, returning to work, or increasing work hours.
Many individuals have concerns about the effect of paid employment on existing benefits. It’s important to know that once you are awarded disability benefits, those benefits are protected when you return to work.
Your Service Coordinator can guide and support you in the process by helping you:
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clarify that benefits won’t go away just because you are employed;
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identify career interests and skills and help you create a return-to-work plan;
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find training and employment options as you or your family member prepares for employment.
The Department of Health and Human Services (NH-DHHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) have work incentive systems built in that protect your benefits, including the MEAD Program (Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities). The Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) website has very useful information on the MEAD program. The SSA website has details on multiple work incentive/safety nets for those returning to work. The Institute on Disability at UNH's Work Incentives Resource Center (WIRC) has information on benefits planning and work incentives for NH individuals with disabilities.
The Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions (MCST) provides a variety of tools and resources to assist people with disabilities in exploring employment and training options. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Other useful sources of employment information are NH Vocational Rehabilitation and the Disability Rights Center.
It’s best to work with your Service Coordinator to explore and best utilize these systems.
