VCU Receives $4.2 Million Grant to Support Federal Work Incentive Program for People With Disabilities

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

Virginia Commonwealth University has received a $4.2 million contract to help people with disabilities find jobs that reduce their dependence on government assistance.

The three-year contract from the Social Security Administration will allow VCU to provide comprehensive training and technical assistance for more than 500 Community Work Incentives Coordinators -- local professionals who promote employment opportunities for SSA beneficiaries with disabilities in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Fear of losing critical cash benefits and health insurance prevents millions of beneficiaries from attempting to obtain employment or return to work. As a result, these individuals remain unnecessarily dependent on government benefits as their sole source of financial security, according to the National Council on Disability.

This dependence is often unjustified, as SSA disability programs include many work incentives designed to encourage and facilitate employment. When provided complete and accurate information, many individuals can pursue careers that will lead to increased independence and economic self-sufficiency.

"Work incentives planning and assistance services provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators provide the single most important method for communicating correct information to help beneficiaries overcome these fears," said project director John Kregel, Ed.D., associate director and research director of the VCU School of Education's Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.

"To be effective in this counseling, however, the coordinators must acquire a complete understanding of Social Security Administration disability programs and federal health insurance programs," he said. "Incomplete or inaccurate information can often lead to financial hardship and lack of access to medical services for individuals who can least afford it."

This contract continues VCU's role as a leading national clearinghouse for information and training that supports the employment efforts of SSA beneficiaries. Since 2000, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance National Training Center at VCU has been awarded more than $14 million in federal contracts and provided training and technical assistance to 800 community- based professionals providing service to more than 250,000 SSA beneficiaries.

"VCU's knowledge of work incentives is immeasurable and the partnership with VCU is very important to us," said Laura Vogt, project officer in the SSA's Office of Employment Support Programs. "Everyone has a right to work and everyone should have a choice, and the combined efforts of VCU and the WIPA projects provide our beneficiaries the information they need to make an informed choice about work."