Work has many benefits. Not only does it provide a paycheck but it also provides a sense of purpose, opportunities to learn new skills, and social opportunities abound within the work setting and beyond. But for many people experiencing a serious mental illness their ability to obtain/maintain employment gets interrupted. Many individuals need assistance when their illness symptoms are at their worst and take advantage of social support programs such as Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and or Medicaid.
When in the course of recovery individuals begin to think about getting back to work it can all seem quite daunting. Will I lose my disability income? If I start working will I lose my medical benefits? My illness started when I was a teenager and I’ve never had a job before, so how do I get started? Or I have had some work experience but now I have a huge gap in my resume, how do I explain that? Or perhaps your life had some additional bumps in the road and you now have some arrests or criminal convictions on your record which could interfere with employment an housing.
On this page we have pulled together some resources that exist to help you plan your transition back into the work world when you are ready.
Start With a Basic Knowledge of Work Issues
Meaningful Work and Recovery by Mental Health America: this web page provides a nice overview of work related issues for individuals in recovery to think about prior to returning to work. We suggest you start with this article so that you can be aware of the many things you may need to address to be successful in your transition into the work world.
A Practical Guide for People with Mental Health Conditions Who Want to Work – compiled by the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. This 15 chapter, 253 page pamphlet provides thorough information on many issues facing individuals returning to work such as overcoming barriers, self assessment, applying for jobs, resumes and interviews, social security work incentives, workers rights and accommodations, dealing with discrimination and harassment, preparing for work and planning future work goals.
Practical Guide for People with Mental Health Conditions Who Want to Work
The Next Step: Understanding how your benefits will be affected by returning to work:
While there are still federal and state policies that create barriers for those trying to return to work there are several good incentive programs that can help the transition back to work.
Work Incentives for people on Social Security Disability (SSD) and on Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Social Security Work Incentives Pamphlet
Free Work Incentives Counseling for Individuals 30 and under is offered by AHEDD – call 215-885-2060 for more information.
Medical Assistance for Workers with A Disability (MAWD): PA Medical Assistance MAWD Program Page
PA ABLE Savings Account Program – this is a new program that is launched April 2017. For more info go to: PA ABLE WEBSITE
The Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act gives individuals with qualified disabilities (eligible individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits Modeled after college savings accounts, the federal tax-free savings and investment options are offered to encourage individuals with a disability and their families to save private funds to support health, independence and quality of life.
Employment Tips for People with Legal Histories – Webinar Jan 25, 2017 – sponsored by PeerLink National Technical Assistance Center. Employment Tips Webinar
Peer Link also has Employment Tips Sheets on the following topics: PeerLink Employment Tip Sheets
- Addressing Legal History
- Disclosing to Employers
- How to Write a Resume
- Reasonable Accommodations
Employment Rights for People with Mental Illness – an article by Web MD: Web MD – Article on Employment Rights
Resources for getting that job!
PA Career Link: PA Career Link
If you need help with the whole process of knowing how to look for a job, writing a resume interviewing skills then check out the PA Career Link. they offer
- Career exploration
- Skills assessment
- Interviewing training
- Resume writing help
- Veterans Help
- Career Fairs
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Need extra help and support due to your disability – then applying for services through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation might be the answer for you. The PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) works with individuals with disabilities who want to work but face difficulties getting, keeping, or advancing in employment.
They have specialized services for assisting individuals who are blind or visually impaired and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in addition to individuals with a disability due to a mental illness.
In order to apply to see if you are eligible for OVR services you have to create a Career Link account by going here: Create A PA Career Link Account
Types of Vocational Rehabilitation Services OVR Provides
OVR provides a wide range of services to eligible applicants. Some services can help you overcome or lessen your disability; others can directly help you prepare for a career. The services you receive will be arranged to meet your individual needs. Not everyone will need every service. OVR services include:
- Diagnostic Services: Medical, psychological, and audiological examinations and tests used to better understand your disability and your needs for specific types of services.
- Vocational Evaluation: Aptitude, interest, general ability, academic exams, work tolerance, and “hands-on” job experience used to understand your vocational potential.
- Counseling: Vocational counseling will help you to better understand your potential, to rely on your abilities, to set realistic vocational goals, to change them when necessary, to develop successful work habits, and to begin a satisfying career. Counseling is available throughout your rehabilitation program.
- Training: Education to prepare you for a job including, but not limited to, basic academic, vocational/technical, college, on-the-job training, independent living skills, and personal and work adjustment training.
- Restoration Services: Medical services and equipment such as physical and occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and automobile hand controls can be provided to enable you to pursue and achieve employment.
- Placement Assistance: Counseling, job-seeking programs, job clubs, and job development used to increase your ability to get a job. You will receive ideas, practice, and advise on finding job leads, filling out applications, getting interviews for a job, and on how to interview. Your counselor may also give you job leads or contact employers about available tax credits and hiring incentives. The more contacts with employers you make, the better your chances are of finding a job. For more details, go to our Services for Job Seekers page.
- Assistive Technology: Assistive technology includes a wide range of devices and services that can empower persons with disabilities to maximize employment, independence and integration into society. OVR can assist an individual with a disability in effectively selecting and acquiring appropriate assistive technology. OVR can arrange for a consultant to evaluate your situation and to make appropriate recommendations. OVR also operates and maintains our own Center for Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology (CART) at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. There is no charge for evaluation and vocational counseling services through OVR. Based upon your financial needs, you may have to contribute to the cost of assistive technology devices and services. For more details, visit their Assistive Technology page
If you know of any other resources that would we should have on this page please let us know!