employment


Many dialysis patients work, volunteer, or go to school. Although sometimes patients have to change their schedules for work, patients that do work find they have better quality of life and improved treatment outcomes.  You might be asking yourself, "Why work?"
  1. Often people that work get a supplemental insurance policy that will assist paying medical bills
  2. Employers cannot legally discriminate against persons with ESRD.  Many employers are willing to make accommodations for work. 
  3. Working and exercising helps people feel better.
  4. You will not lose your Medicare benefit based on End-Stage Renal Disease if you work.  
Talk to your social worker about local resources that assist persons wanting to work; contact Life Options Rehabilitation Program at 800.468.7777 or visit their website at www.lifeoptions.org; and/or call your state Vocational Rehabilitation Center at the numbers listed below:

Resources


Vocational Rehabilitation Occupation List
(Developed by Life Options Rehabilitation Program)

Effective Strategies for Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Chronic Kidney Disease is a report by the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Department of Education from the early years of the millennium, which describes the dialysis population, its eligibility for rehabilitation, and recommendations to connect patients with services.

Ticket to Work is an employment program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It offers individuals ages 18 through 64 who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability expanded opportunities to obtain services and supports to enter and maintain employment. The ultimate goal of the Ticket to Work program is to reduce reliance on Social Security disability benefits by promoting increased self-sufficiency for beneficiaries with disabilities through work. Secondary goals are to increase the independence of beneficiaries and improve their quality of life. Obtain additional information on the Program on the SSA's website.  Find out about upcoming webinars and workshops in your area.
 
The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities. 
  
The Life Options website has FREE, research-based education materials; you may also call (800) 468-7777 to request materials.  Life Options is supported by Amgen Renal Advances and administered by the Medical Education Institute of Madison, Wisconsin.