Alaska Works Initiative: Addressing Barriers, Increasing Employment, Creating Change, employment, training, and technical assistance

Youth and Careers Scrabble puzzle using job opportunity phrases

What is YOUR Job?

For youth with disabilities there are programs to assist in assessing career options, receiving work skills training, finding well matched employment opportunities and other employment supports. You can find assistance through the following links:

Young man with Down's Syndrome working at a desk

For youth, ages 14-22 who receive Social Security benefits (and/or

plan to apply for Social Security age 18 re-determination)

We all want the same for our child’s future: a good life and the means to reach that good life.  But:

  • What about your child’s employment barriers?
  • Does earning a wage terminate your Social Security eligibility?  

There are several employment support programs (see links above) for transition-aged youth with disabilities to overcome employment barriers.   Social Security Administration (SSA) has made it easier now with the recent revised work incentive provisions, to allow recipients receiving SSA benefits the opportunity to explore career interests, get some job related skills and experience a wage earned job without losing their eligibility status and without losing their Social Security benefits. 

Examples of these work incentive provisions are: Exclude up to $6,600 per year (working students under age 22 only), create a PASS savings plan, Impairment Related Work Expenses income exclusions, special Medicaid benefits programs......

These are just some of the work incentives that make it worthwhile for youth to get that work experience and find a career. As with most employment, a wage earner pays taxes toward Social Security Disability Insurance and Retirement—a good plan for your child’s future. 

The best way to get started is to
  • talk to your high school’s career advisor,
  • visit the One-Stop Job Centers and their Disability Navigator, or
  • visit Orientation Day at your local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

To find the nearest DVR office in your area: State of Ak Div. of Voc. Rehab offices

See 3 min. Video "Moving from School to Work": highschoolstudentsdvrservices

Once your youth has a plan to pursue employment, individualized Benefits Counseling will be needed to learn how to best manage SSA benefits while earning an income. You can receive these services and a free Benefits Summary & Analysis report through either:

  • University of Alaska Center for Human Development:

Josetta Cranston, M.Ed, SSA nationally certified CWIC and Employment Services Coordinator (907) 248-7770

A circle of several hands joinned, all showing different races

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Other YOUTH RELATED Issues:

~OBAMA PROPOSES NEW "Overhaul" of

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

FILE - In this July 2, 2007 file photo, then Democratic presidential hopeful Click here for story: Obama's changes in the No Child Left Behind

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~APPLYING FOR SSI (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME) and/or the AGE 18 Re-Determination Process SSA logo

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~ESTATE PLANNING AND SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS -

Good websites to visit on this subject:

  1. For Estate Planning, Special Needs Trust and Letter of Intent click here:Estate planning, Special Needs Trust, Letter of Intent
  2. Planning Your Child’s Future: Planning for your child's future
  3. Metlife Metlife Special Needs Financial Planning

Setting up a Special Needs Trust: ask your local SSA Office for a list of groups that can help you find a list of lawyers that specialize in this or contact the State or local bar association.

Click here for list of Alaska Social Security Administration Field Offices: Alaska SSA Offices

more information available soon

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~GUARDIANSHIP ISSUES - more information available soon

line up of youth looking at their laptops Young man in a chair at a desk talking on the phoneYoung man working carrying a box

 

Last Updated February 2010