Disability Benefits 101: It Really Is That Simple

Lack of access to information on health coverage and benefits has been a major barrier to work for people with disabilities. Faced with limited knowledge of how earnings affected benefits, people with disabilities were prevented from making informed choices about when, how and to what extent they could work. For the few who did understand disability programs, the information they received was often outdated and few resources were available in their communities.

For Californians working with a disability, that is about to change.

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act inspired the disability community, public policy makers, and private foundations to unite in an effort to respond to these needs. They decided to create something that would give Californians with disabilities the information necessary to participate in the workforce. The result was Disability Benefits 101 - an innovative state-based online tool.

Now, Californians working with a disability have access to information 24-hours a day that will help them make educated decisions and plan for their future. The design and development of DB101 was shaped by work incentives, public policy, and disability experts—establishing a national model of excellence for other states to follow.

This virtual library and learning community is guaranteed to provide information at your fingertips. Californians with disabilities, and the disability community in general, are grateful for this collaborative project by the California Work Incentives Initiative at the World Institute on Disability; Options: A Benefits Training Foundation; Eightfold Way Consultants; The California Endowment; the California Department of Rehabilitation’s Work Incentive Grants; the Community Technology Foundation of California; the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, the California Departments of Health Services and Employment Development; and the North Bay Employment Connection.