At the APH ConnectCenter, we occasionally hear statements such as, “I cannot work because I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). ” or “ I cannot work because I get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and want to keep my benefits.”
Did you know SSI and SSDI have work incentives to assist individuals who work while receiving Social Security benefits? Some specific work incentives apply to individuals who are blind. Other work incentives only apply to students who are receiving SSI. The Social Security Administration adjusts the figures for various work incentives each year. The new year is the perfect time to empower yourself with knowledge. Discover how these programs can help you achieve financial growth and independence!
Learn About SSI and SSDI Work Incentives
Join the APH ConnectCenter for two informative sessions on benefits and work incentives!
- On January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern, learn how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can impact employment.
- On February 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern, discover work incentives available to individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
If you receive both SSI and SSDI, we encourage you to register for both sessions to maximize your understanding of these important topics.
Lori Scharff and Kristina (Kris) Colcock will lead the Employment Connection webinars. Lori and Kris are both Certified Work Incentive Practitioners (CWIP) who are also blind. They have a combined 15-plus years of counseling individuals on benefits.
Meet Kris Colcock
Kris Colcock, MA, CWIP, is a benefits practitioner and independent contractor for the Washington State Services for the Blind. Before obtaining her credentials as a CWIP from Cornell University, Kris’s extensive educational and employment history has drawn upon her intellect and entrepreneurial spirit.
Kris’s Journey of Determination
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Development (1989) and Master of Education (1992) from California State University, Northridge, Kris encountered attitudinal barriers to employment due to her blindness. Undeterred, she explored various opportunities, including roles in sales, assistive technology, and nonprofit work with the Girl Scouts Totem Council.
Kris, who has lived in various parts of Seattle and now resides on Bainbridge Island, found personal and professional support through the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). A member since 2001, she has held leadership positions, including coordinating the annual job seeker seminar.
Once her children grew older, Kris earned her Master Aromatherapy certification, teaching massage oils and metaphysical arts classes, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for alternative practices.
A New Path to Employment
Kris’s journey into benefits planning was driven by a desire to empower others by dispelling myths and helping individuals understand their role in managing their benefits.
In 2022, she earned her Work Incentive Practitioner certification, followed by the Program Benefits Planning for Transition-Aged Youth from Cornell University in 2024. These credentials equipped Kris with the knowledge and skills to counsel blind and low-vision individuals, including youth in transition. Her specialized training enables her to explain work incentives as valuable tools for building careers, with a focus on those that uniquely benefit young people preparing for employment.
Drawn to Benefits Planning
Kris’s passion for benefits planning stems from her challenges. “I experienced firsthand the frustrations of being blind, trying to work, and navigating the Social Security Administration (SSA),” she explains. “As I pursued my education, I realized I was extremely misinformed and didn’t understand the regulations at all.”
Motivated to help others avoid similar struggles, Kris is dedicated to uncovering the truth about work incentives and dispelling common myths and misunderstandings surrounding benefits.
“I truly love what I do,” she says. “If I had known even half of what I know now back when I was a single mother raising children on SSDI alone, I could have reached a much better place far sooner.”
Register for Employment Connections
If Kris’s journey resonates with you, or if you’re navigating the complexities of SSI and SSDI benefits, don’t miss our upcoming events. Join us to learn about work incentives and how they can empower individuals receiving SSI and SSDI benefits to pursue meaningful employment. Register today to take the first step toward understanding the tools and opportunities available.
Register for Maximizing Social Security using Work Incentives Part 1: SSI Work Incentives.
Register for Maximizing Social Security using Work Incentives Part 2: SSDI Work Incentives.