A Jacksonville nonprofit wants disabled people to know they can collect Social Security Disability and still work.
The Independent Living Resource Center was awarded a $1.5 million federal grant to make it easier to get out that message.
John Mannheimer is a disabled person who has major health issues including seizures. But he says he doesn’t like sitting by himself at home, so he volunteers at the Jacksonville Independent Living Resource Center.
“So I like, I’m really good with computers, not 10 things at one time,” Mannheimer said. “I can handle computers pretty good, I know how to install programs on it and how to go to the web.”
Ivy Summey manages the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program at the resource center in Jacksonville.
“Well one of the things that I have personally encountered when I meet with a disabled individual is their feeling of lack of worth,” Summey said.
Her job is to teach people with mental or physical disabilities they can still collect Social Security Disability benefits while working. She says disabled people often worry about losing healthcare.
The federal government has just awarded the multi-county program $1.5 million to be paid out over five years. Ivey says about 90 other organizations applied for the money.
The money will be used to fund additional staff to teach people the procedures they must follow so that they can be more independent and not get penalized.
Photo credit: "Lori Wilson Park - Cocoa Beach FL" by Rusty Clark is used under CC BY 2.0.
