Through a Social Security Administration (SSA) grant, Goodwill assists SSI and SSDI beneficiaries from ages 14 to 64. We help them to access and use valuable SSA and other work incentives to maximize their financial self-sufficiency through employment while decreasing their dependence on public benefits.

Goodwill Keystone Area is part of a nationwide effort funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to support the return-to-work efforts of their disability beneficiaries. If you are a current SSI and/or SSDI beneficiary interested in working, Goodwill can provide you with:

Comprehensive information about work's impact on your SSI and/or SSDI and related healthcare benefits and the SSA and other work incentives you can use to maximize your financial outcomes while working toward self-sufficiency.
Ongoing support to assist you to proactively manage your benefits as you work by helping you to identify and anticipate critical benefits transition points that impact your employment and other life decisions.
Tools to help you track benefits changes as you work and guidance with reporting earnings and other relevant life circumstances to SSA and other entities administering public benefits you receive.
Knowledge about valuable Social Security work incentives that can maximize your cash and healthcare benefits temporarily as you work toward self-sufficiency.
Information about how other public benefits you may receive (i.e., Food Stamps, Section 8 housing) are impacted by wages.
Referral to employment and other community services that support your return-to-work efforts.

Who should use Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services?

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services are free, voluntary, and confidential to anyone who is:

14 through 64 years of age
Currently eligible for SSI and/or SSDI, and
Currently working or interested in working

Why should you use Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services?

Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services can assist you to take more control over your decisions about work, financial matters, and life in general. Did you know that:

Paid employment and SSA disability benefits are NOT mutually exclusive. Many SSI and SSDI beneficiaries can work and retain cash payments and medical benefits temporarily.
It is possible for SSI and SSDI beneficiaries to work and keep Medicaid and Medicare at least temporarily in almost every case.
It is possible for SSI and SSDI beneficiaries to work and come out ahead financially even if benefits are reduced.

SSA offers special work incentives to help SSI and SSDI beneficiaries obtain education, training, or other work-related goods and services they might need to become employed.

What will you receive by using work incentive planning assistance services provided by Goodwill?*

Accurate SSA work incentives information from a certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator.
A comprehensive written benefits summary and analysis detailing how work will impact your cash and healthcare benefits, as well as those SSA and other work incentive programs for which you may be eligible, based on your individual vocational goals.
A work incentive plan that can guide you through critical benefits transition points and help you to proactively manage your benefits as you work toward greater self-sufficiency.
Ongoing work incentive follow-up support by Goodwill staff through all of the phases of your return-to-work process.

*Based on level of service received and subject to verification of benefits information by SSA and other sources.

How can you access Goodwill's services?

Assistance is just a phone call away. You can reach us from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday thru Friday at 1-866-541-7005. A Community Work Incentives Coordinator is available to assist you. If you have a hearing impairment, please call our toll-free TTY at 1-866-541-7001. Or, send us an email at lshirk@yourgoodwill.org. Because of the volume of inquiries we receive from beneficiaries, please allow 3 business days for a Community Work Incentive Coordinator to reply to your request.

We cover 36 counties in Pennsylvania, including:

Adams, Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clinton, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, and York.

We can accommodate your communication and travel needs by arranging for interpreter services and/or meeting with you at a location that's convenient for you. Just let us know. If you live outside our coverage area, we'll refer you to the work incentives planning and assistance project in your area.

For additional information about Social Security work incentives and important initiatives designed to help you return to work, please visit:

Social Security's link to employment supports for people with disabilities: www.socialsecurity.gov/work

Social Security's “Redbook” on work incentives: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/main.htm

Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/MedicalAssistance/003670301.htm

Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania's Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program: www.drnpa.org/File/publications/pabss-general-brochure-.pdf

Social Security's Ticket to Work program: www.yourtickettowork.com

For more information, please contact:

Lynnette Shirk
1-866-541-7005

This web page is made possible by a grant from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official views of SSA.

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