Benefits.gov: Your Online Source of Information about Government Benefits

By Guest Blogger Al Sloane

As a Ticket to Work participant, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Whether you’re looking for a job, transitioning into a new position, or trying to juggle new responsibilities, Benefits.gov can help. We house information on over 1,200 benefits, many of which are for people with disabilities and for which you may qualify. Below, we’ll explain what our site offers and how you can put it to use.

Finding Benefits

Our site’s main tool is the Benefit Finder, our free and confidential prescreening questionnaire. As you answer questions about your current situation, you’ll see a list of benefits you may be eligible to receive. The more questions you answer, the more precise your eligibility information will be. You can click on individual benefits in your list to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, how to apply, and who to contact if you have questions.

Disability Benefits

About one in four Benefits.gov users are people with disabilities. With our 17 federal agency partners, we provide the most up-to-date information on programs from 20 different categories, including disability assistance. Some of our programs focus on disability employment.

• The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), managed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), offers employees and employers free, expert and confidential  guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
• The U.S. Department of the Treasury offers the Tax Help for People with Disabilities program, which provides tax relief for disabled taxpayers. If you are disabled or have a household member with a disability, you may qualify for this program.
• The U.S. Department of Education administers the TRIO Student Support Services, which provides support services to students with disabilities enrolled in post-secondary education programs. Those eligible receive personal and academic counseling, career guidance, mentoring and tutoring.
• The U.S. Department of Education also provides the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities. This program helps tribal governments provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities, helping them on a path toward gainful employment.
• In addition to these programs, we have information on other forms of disability assistance from various federal agencies.

Benefits.gov is here to serve you! Stay connected by subscribing to our quarterly Compass eNewsletter or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on important news and other useful benefit information.

About the Guest Blogger

Al Sloane is the Benefits.gov Program Director. He oversees every aspect of the Program and ensures that it continues to provide helpful benefit information to citizens every day.