When Doug was in his early 20’s he was in an automobile accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Because of his injuries, he has to devote more energy to concentrating on tasks and keeping up with daily physical activities. For Doug, this can be frustrating.  But, in spite of his disability, he deeply prizes his independence.  He wants to accomplish things himself (like managing his money, keeping up his home, and having a job). This is important to his family also, who helped him purchase a house to live in.

Doug wanted to work. He found assistance in getting a job through the Indiana Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, who connected him with a supported employment program and an employment specialist. The employment specialist helped him find a job and worked with him and an employer to get a job that he can do successfully.  He works in grounds maintenance nine months out of the year about 28 hours per week. With help of Vocational Rehabilitation and ongoing assistance through supported employment, he has been able to learn how to use all of the machinery at his workplace and do his job well.

He has worked at this job for two years now, and is successfully earned two merit raises! At the start of his job, he was earning minimum wage. Now he earns $9.25 per hour. He has never missed a day of work. He is able to save money to update the house he owns. He still needs support on the job from his employment specialist, and those services are covered through the Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver.

Doug has Social Security Disability Insurance. He has used all nine months of his Trial Work Period and is in his Extended Period of Eligibility. Because Doug has support on his job from an employment specialist, and has special accommodations from his employer with his work hours, and is given fewer tasks than his coworkers who are doing the same work for the same pay, he qualifies for a work incentive available through the Social Security Administration called a Subsidy. The Subsidy (support from the employment specialist on the job and accommodations provided by the employer) helps to reduce the amount of earnings Social Security considers when they review his earnings. The Social Security Claims Representative helped Doug to determine how a Subsidy would benefit him. Now Doug can continue to work without the fear of losing his benefits.

Doug also qualifies for Medicaid because of his disability. He needs Medicaid to help pay for medical services. He is enrolled in MED Works which is a Medicaid work incentive for employees with disabilities. He pays a small premium based on a combination of his earnings and his SSDI check. Doug needs to remember to keep paying his Med Works premium. He keeps a calendar and marks when his MED Works premium is due each month.

With the support of his family, employment specialist and the Social Security work incentives and the MED Works program, Doug is able to eventually work his way toward more independence in his job, maintain his home, and reach his goals.