What Does SSA Work Incentives, AgrAbility, and Nebraska Vocational Rehab Have in Common? Working Cooperatively they are putting Disabled Nebraska Farmers/Ranchers Back in the Field. Presented by Kelly Gewecke NTW Nov 2011

ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO GET FARMERS/RANCHERS BACK IN THE NEBRASKA FIELDS WORKING! How do each of the organizations work together?

Pooling Resources Putting Farmer/Ranchers back in the Field 1 SOCIAL SECURITY WORK INCENTIVES 2AGRABILTY Easter Seals/UNL Partnership 3 NEBRASKA VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

SOCIAL SECURITY Work Incentives SUPPLIMENTAL SECURITY INCOME SSI and SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE SSDI 1

Social Security Disability Insurance Based on what is paid into SSA Doesn’t consider Resources Associated with Medicare Waiting period for check and Medical ( See Quick Reference Guide) Supplemental Security Income Needs Based. Limited Resources. Associated with Medicaid No waiting period for check and Medical What resources is the client eligible for? Title XVI SSI Title II SSDI Possible to have both benefits

Case Study Disabled Couple in Nebraska Both on SSDI Wrote a PASS to Start a Goat Dairy Business (See PASS Example Sheet Hand out) Case Study Disabled Couple in Nebraska Both on SSDI Wrote a PASS to Start a Goat Dairy Business (See PASS Example Sheet Hand out) Resources Used PASS REAP Loan NE Voc Rehab Self Employment Funds & AgrAbility Resources Used PASS REAP Loan NE Voc Rehab Self Employment Funds & AgrAbility

2 AGRABILTY in Nebraska Cooperative agreement between UNL Extension and Easter Seals NE with a Grant from USDA

UNIVERSITY OF NE Lincoln Extention Provides Education and Assistance Sharry Nielsen, Extension Educator (308) EASTER SEALS of NE Provides Staff, Educational and Resources Rod Peterson and Del Ficke are Rural Rehabilitation Specialists and do Onsite Assessments and Recommendations

3 Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation NVR Federal and State funding sources

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATIVE SERVICES eligible individuals (Farmers/Ranchers) with disabilities, VR may provide:  Counseling  Career planning  Training  Funding for assistive technology  Other individualized services (Benefits Analysis) Apply for VR even if VR has a waiting list Meet with VR counselor Determine functional limitations and place farmer in Order of Selection category An Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) will be developed Including AgrAbility Assessment & Recommendations.

Pulling it all together! Funding Resources SSA, Medicare/Medicaid, State VR, Loan funds such as ESN & REAP Others that apply (VA)

What’s Your Message? Presenter Kelly Gewecke Easter Seals NE QUESTIONS?