MOPD Announces Schedule of Work Incentives Forums to Address Concerns of Job-Seekers with Disabilities

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities will host the first of its 2010 free Work Incentives, Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Forums for job seekers with disabilities on Thursday, January 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the MOPD Field Office, 2102 W. Ogden, Chicago.

At the WIPA Forum, participants who receive Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) will learn about how work income can affect their benefits. Specifically, attendees will hear from experts about:

Work incentives such as the SSA Ticket to Work  that allow beneficiaries with disabilities to test their ability to work without fear of immediately losing monetary, medical or other benefits; Preparing for the job search; Interview strategies and employment-related issues; and Disability rights of employees with disabilities

MOPD’s Certified Community Work Incentives Coordinators will also be available to meet individually with beneficiaries to help them anticipate and plan for changes that may occur in their state and federal benefits as a result of employment.

Additional 2010 Work Incentives Forums will be held at the MOPD Field Office, 2102 W. Ogden, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:

• February 19

• March 25 (Targeting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Job Seekers)

• April 22

• May 27 (Targeting Blind and Visually Impaired Job Seekers)

• June 24

• July 15 (to be held during the AccessChicago expo at Navy Pier)

• August 26

• September 23 (in Spanish- Targeting Hispanics with Disabilities)

• October 28

• November 18

• December 16

To register for the forum or to obtain more information, contact MOPD’s Employment Service Unit at 312-746-5743 (voice) or 312-744-7833 (TTY).

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