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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Miller, Vice President, (717) 763-0968, ext.
191 or john.miller@ahedd.org
Helping SSA Beneficiaries Successfully Enter the
Work force
April 22, 2009- AHEDD has received a 12 month contract renewal for
$300,000 from the Social Security Administration for “Work Incentive
Planning Assistance” through March 31, 2010. Under this cooperative agreement, AHEDD
will provide individualized work incentive counseling to persons with
disabilities, ages 14-64, who receive Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within a 27 county
region. Additional PA providers
include Goodwill PASSABCO and Disability Rights Network.
The
Work Incentive service is targeted to SSA beneficiaries who are working or
otherwise engaged in training or education in preparation for work. In PA, there are over 500,000
adults (18-64) and 50,000 children who rely on SSA benefits. According to John
Miller, AHEDD Project Director, “It is our belief that this is a
compelling workforce development issue for the state and local communities.
There is an overwhelming body of evidence that one of the greatest barriers
to employment among individuals with disabilities is fear and/or
misunderstanding about how earned income from employment affects
benefits.” Anyone interested
in accessing this service, can contact providers in the following areas:
Western PA (866) 302-4333; Central & Northeastern PA (866) 541-7005; Southeastern PA (800) 692-7443 x 309.
AHEDD is a private,
non-profit agency with a mission to serve the community as a catalyst in
the employment and development of persons with disabilities. Established in 1977, AHEDD serves the
community by collaborating with business and people with disabilities
through a field office network throughout Pennsylvania
and Delaware.
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