Benefits Information Training

Benefits Information Training: Deciphering the Complexity

State and federal assistance programs can help people with disabilities go to work, pay the rent, take a class, get transportation, and save for the future. But navigating those benefit program can be complicated for people with disabilities, for their families, and even for the agencies and organizations who support them.

The Center on Community Living and Careers can help. On this page, you'll find links to the following types of benefits trainings:

  • Benefits Information Network Certification 
  • Work Incentives and Other Benefits Information
  • Benefits 101: for Parents, Teachers and Others

 

Benefits Information Network Certification Training

CCLC facilitates the Benefits Information Network (BIN) and its BIN liaisons. Located throughout Indiana, BIN liaisons provide individuals and families with the information they need to be able to work and to maintain the benefits and health care coverage they need. 

Basic BIN Training

(Only those certified less than 2 years may attend.)

Note: Our reformatted training includes both online content and Zoom sessions. Participation in both components is required for certification. These 10-week courses will consist of:

  • 8 weeks of participation in twice-weekly Zoom meetings
  • online course content with weekly readings, assignments and quizzes
  • time, during the final two weeks of training, to work on a case study and strategic plan assignment.

Cost for this training is $250.

August 3-October 9: Registration is now closed for this event.

November 2-January 8. For more information, Zoom dates and times, and to register, go to the IU Events Calendar listing for Basic BIN. 

February 1-April 9, 2021. Registration information coming soon. 

 

Advanced BIN Training

BIN Liaisons who have been certified for at least two years are invited to participate in Advanced BIN training. 

Cost per person is $250. 
  
September 30-December 9  Now online!  In addition to completing online content, Advanced BIN participants will attend four Zoom, lunch-and-learn sessions scheduled for the first four Wednesdays of the course. Registration is now closed for this event.

Work Incentives and Other Benefits

Self-paced, online content available October 1 through December 23, 2020.

Families and individuals with disabilities need information and guidance about how benefits and work incentives can impact work and earnings. Through this informational, comprehensive online training, employment professionals, community service providers, and transition coordinators learn the benefits basics:

  • Social Security Work Incentive programs
  • Income and asset regulations
  • Health care coverage—Medicaid, Medicare, other insurance
  • Savings—ABLE accounts, special needs trusts
  • The Ticket to Work program
  • The “other benefits” alphabet soup: SNAP, TANF, and HUD

Though it does not provide certification (competency training is not required), this Social Security Work Incentives and Other Federal and State Benefits provides participants with a wealth of information and resources.

Training is self-paced, and all content modules will be available on Canvas through December 23, 2020. Content includes up-to-date information as of August 2020. Since the course is self-paced, you can begin anytime while course materials are live. Estimated time for completion: 10 hours. Upon enrolling, participants will receive instructions and the link to Canvas. Note: When you register, you’ll receive an email invitation to the course. Be sure to accept that invitation or Canvas will not allow you to open the course modules.

For more information and to enroll, see the 2020 Social Security Work Incentives & Other Federal and State Benefits listing on the IU Calendar. Training is $125 per person.

Benefits 101: For Individuals, Parents, Teachers and Others

For those of us who want to understand how to navigate the application and eligibility processes, where to get answers about Social Security benefits and Medicaid waiver supports, and how to adequately plan for the future, we also offer occasional webinars. Keep an eye on this page for more information.

For more general information on benefits, see our Benefits Information page. There you'll find a listing of fact sheets about Social Security work incentive programs and other state and federal benefits.

Scrolling down on the page, you'll also see a recording of "Benefits 101," a 2019 webinar, supported by the Indiana Department of Education. The webinar invited parents of transitioning students to learn about selected work incentives, state benefits, ABLE accounts, and the process known as "redetermination," when students with disabilities must reapply for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) after age 18. 

More Benefits Information