Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Employment
What is the difference between the State Division of Developmental Disabilities and the King County Developmental Disabilities Division?
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The State Division of Developmental Disabilities (State DDD) is responsible
for determining eligibility and authorizing paid services. State DDD currently
provides the following services and programs: case management, Medicaid Personal
Care, residential services, residential habilitation centers, family support,
dental, mental health, Voluntary Placement Foster Care program, and the Medically
Intensive program. State DDD administers services on a regional basis. Region
4 is the State DDD office that serves King County.
The King County Developmental Disabilities Division (County DDD) is responsible for providing employment and day program services. County DDD currently provides the following services: Early Intervention/birth-to-three, employment, community access, housing, in-home family counseling, social and recreational activities, information and assistance, advocacy, homelessness projects, and program development/technical assistance.
How can I get employment services from King County DDD?
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You must be a client of State DDD. See eligibility information: Who
We Serve. For information on steps to take to access County employment
supports see: Navigating the Employment System
How do I apply for State DDD services?
- If you are, or will be, living in King County, contact State DDD at 206-568-5700
or 1-800-314-3296. For additional information, visit their website. (external)
How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
- To receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, you must go through
an application process. To begin this process, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
or visit their website.
What is the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)?
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DVR, which is a Division of the Washington State Department of Social and Health
Services, provides a wide variety of services that support eligible individuals
to obtain employment, including vocational guidance, counseling, and development
of an employment plan. For more information about their services, including
how to apply, visit their website (external).
What is the Working Age Adult Policy?
- The Working Age Adult Policy is a policy issued by State DDD that promotes
gainful employment in integrated settings in the community for adults with developmental
disabilities who are between the ages of 21 and 62. Find out more here.
What is an Employment Service Provider?
- An Employment Service Provider is a King County DDD contracted agency that
supports people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain successful
employment.
There are over 20 Employment Service Providers contracted with King County, many with years of expertise in supporting individuals with disabilities to reach their work goals. Many of these Employment Service Providers are also contracted with DVR. Employment Service Providers can also be referred to as Vendors, Employment Agencies, and CRPs (Community Rehabilitation Programs).
How do I choose an Employment Service Provider?
Choosing which Employment Service Provider to work with can depend upon a number of issues, including geographic location, availability of funding, and the overall sense that the relationship is a "good fit." You are encouraged to call different agencies and gather more information about their mission and services before making a decision. Find out more about how to choose a provider. (pdf)
How do I pay for services offered by an Employment Service Provider?
- Employment Service Providers can be paid through a variety of resources, including
DVR, State DDD, County DDD, State DDD Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Waivers, Social Security Work Incentives, and private payment.
Do I need to utilize the support of an Employment Service Provider?
- No. Employment Service Providers are just one option for having job support.
For example, some people locate jobs on their own or with the support of family.
Additionally, once employed, some people may solely utilize the natural support
of coworkers and supervisors at their place of employment.
What is a King County DDD Employment Resource Coordinator?
- A King County DDD Employment Resource Coordinator can assist you with understanding
your Social Security benefits, how work impacts those benefits, the availability
of Social Security Work Incentives, and how to navigate the employment system.
Find out more about these services.
FAQ - Social Security Benefits
- How do I apply for Social Security benefits? To receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, you must go through an application process. To begin this process, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website at www.ssa.gov .
- What is SSI? SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, SSI is a Social Security-managed, economic need-based program that provides cash to aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income, to cover their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. A person eligible for SSI also becomes eligible for Medicaid.
- What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a health insurance program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources, and who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers. If you are eligible for Medicaid, you will receive a Medicaid Coupon at the beginning of each month.
- What is SSDI? To be eligible for SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability, and you must have worked long enough--and recently enough--under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. If you are eligible for SSDI, you will receive monthly cash benefits, and you may become eligible for Medicare. SSDI benefits usually continue until you are able to demonstrate that you can successfully work.
- What is SSDAC? If a parent of an adult child with disabilities dies, retires, or becomes disabled, the adult child may receive SSDAC, or Social Security Disabled Adult Child, benefits. The amount of these monthly payments will depend upon the parent’s insured-status with Social Security. If you are eligible for SSDAC, you may become eligible for Medicare. SSDAC benefits usually continue until you are able to demonstrate that you can successfully work.
- What is Medicare? Medicare provides medical insurance coverage to Social Security beneficiaries. Eligibility for Medicare, which comes in the form of a red, white, and blue card, is not available until the person completes a waiting period (up to 29 months). Medicare offers the recipients the following insurances: Hospital Insurance (Part A), Medical Insurance (Part B), and, beginning in 2006, Prescription Insurance (Part D). See: http://www.medicare.gov/ (external)
- What are Social Security Work Incentives? Social Security Work Incentives are programs offered by Social Security that encourage and support people to become successfully employed. Work Incentives can help people maintain their benefits while working, and they can help people afford the costs of items and supports necessary for becoming self-reliant and successful on their job.
- What are my responsibilities with SSA when I begin working? If you receive Social Security benefits of any kind, and you begin working, you must immediately notify Social Security. Every month you work, you should report your wages to Social Security by sending them copies of your monthly wage stubs.
- Will I lose my Social Security benefits if I go to work? Your benefits could be affected if you go to work, and it is important to fully understand how your wages impact your social security benefits. Additionally, there are many Social Security Work Incentives that allow you to work and continue to receive benefits. For more information, contact a King County Resource Coordinator.