Benefits Education and Employment First
By Nicholas Love
Social Security benefits help people with disabilities afford what they need… barely. Those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive cash benefits roughly 25% below the Federal Poverty Level. A large portion of people receiving disability services receive SSI benefits. As a result, many Arizonans with disabilities are living deep in poverty.
Why would someone choose to live in poverty? Fear.
Why aren’t more service providers helping people move out of poverty? Again, fear.
Fear around benefits, especially of losing benefits because of income thresholds, is one of the main reasons benefit recipients say they choose not to work. Fear of giving incorrect information is also why Employment Service Professionals do not have enough benefit conversations.
Accurate benefit information motivates people to engage and follow through with employment services. Employment is the means to move out of poverty.
The Arizona Office of Employment First is committed to moving people out of poverty and into lives where they have what they need and what they want.
Embedding benefit education into the Employment First philosophy strengthens employment conversations and services. Sharing benefit knowledge early and throughout the employment process increases positive outcomes.
Employment Service Professionals need support to be confident about benefit education. The Arizona Office of Employment First integrates benefit education into curriculum and technical assistance to provide that support.
Arizona is fortunate to have AZ Disability Benefits 101 to assist in education on federal and state cash benefits, health coverage, and additional information that supports informed decisions about employment. How to effectively utilize this resource along with others that promote financial empowerment are coming from the Arizona Office of Employment First in the near future.
To be responsive to the needs of our Employment First partners, we at the Arizona Office of Employment First want to hear how you are addressing benefit education. We would also like to hear about fears, concerns, and interactions. Continue to follow us here to learn more. Embedding benefit education into the Employment First philosophy strengthens employment conversations and services.