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Spreading A Positive Message About Work, Earnings And Benefits Through Peer Networking: Findings From The Peer Employment Benefits Network, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Rick Kugler, John Kramer

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Misunderstanding and fears about the impact of earnings on benefits represent a significant barrier in the return-to-work efforts of people with disabilities. This pilot project evaluated an approach to spreading a positive message about work and dispelling myths about the effects of work on Social Security benefits through outreach and networking in the disability community. A peer leadership project was developed by enlisting 33 people with disabilities, mainly through disability advocacy organizations, who had experience with disability benefits. They received several days of basic training about work incentives, networking strategies, and community resources that support employment. These peer leaders then …