January 2004 Newsletter
Volume 3, Number 3
New Benefits Specialist Joins the Working Healthy
Team
In December, Sherri Sherman was hired as the new Benefits Specialist for Northwest
Kansas working out of the Hays SRS office and filling the vacancy left by Gary
Youngman.
Sherri graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in education and
began her work with SRS as an income maintenance worker in March of 1993 in the
Garnett office. She continued working as an EES worker until her new postion
with Working Healthy began in December.
Sherri is located in the Hays Area SRS Office and can be contacted by phone at
785-628-1066 ext. 268 or by email at HASAS@srskansas.org.
CONSUMER VOICES
By Jean M. Higbee
Ms. Higbee has been enrolled in Working Healthy for the past year. She
wanted to share her experiences in the hope that others might be encouraged
to consider
working.
After 13 years of treatment for multiple mental illness diagnoses, I am finally
able to do some part-time work. Not two years ago just the mention of work would
have put me into tears and paralyzed me - especially the fear of losing my benefits.
While at one time I was able to work good jobs, with the onset of mental illness,
I lost my job, my home, most of my belongings, and the most crushing part, my
children. I was already suicidal and losing my kids was a final blow for me.
I no longer had my reason to live. It took many years of steady treatment and
hard work to get me where I am today.
One thing I did was volunteering. Some jobs I kept only one or two days. I
would immediately feel overwhelmed. It was too much for me. So I would quit,
take a
break, and eventually find another volunteer job. I was able to keep each one
a little bit longer, and my last volunteer job lasted for 3 years. Continuing
to push myself a little bit harder each time I step out into the world is what’s
finally putting me in the position of being able to work part-time. I mostly
do individual contract work for KU and for the State of Kansas. Since it’s
not a regular job, it’s been a little more challenging in terms of keeping
up the paperwork, doing employment plans when I’m not working, and keeping
track of my income. It is, however, another step forward for me. I even went
through the application process for a full-time job with KU recently - something
I hadn’t done in 13 years. It came down to me and another person who ultimately
got the job. Going through this process has increased my confidence and self-esteem.
I didn’t think I would ever be able to do this again. I would not have
been able to get through it without my support team.
I have discovered I don’t have the physical stamina to work full-time right
now, but each step I take is putting me one step closer to independence. I don’t
like having to rely on Social Security, SRS, Section 8, or any other agency.
Right now, however, it is necessary. It has taken years for me to get to this
point, and it may take a few more, but I’m working hard on changing my
life - managing the mental illnesses, the fears, the frustrations, and the physical
disabilities. Not long ago I made the decision that suicide is no longer an option
for me. I have managed to stay out of the hospital for several months even though
I have been dealing with the stresses of trying to work, the application process,
my illnesses, and excessive family illnesses. (My mother has Alzheimer’s,
one sister has had 6 strokes, and the other has been battling cancer.)
We each have to get to that point in our thinking that says “I’m
here to stay and I want a better life.” It’s hard, but getting
there is what leads us forward. Thank you for being patient and believing in
me, Maddie!
And thanks to the Working Healthy team for all your work in making the future
possible for so many people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oftentimes consumers and service providers alike have questions regarding Working
Healthy, employment and benefits. If you have additional questions you would
like answered please contact your local Benefits Specialist or consult the Working
Healthy web site for more FAQ’s.
Q: Where do I apply for Working Healthy?
A: You can apply for Working Healthy directly at your local
SRS office, on-line
at http://www.srskansas.org by clicking the “Apply for Services” button,
or by contacting your local Benefits Specialist for assistance.
Q: Will my premium automatically go down this month because I’m
no longer working?
A: No, but your premium will be assessed according to your countable income following
the month that it is confirmed that you are no longer working. It is important
that you contact your worker as soon as there are any changes in your employment
status.
Q: Is Working Healthy a Social Security Program?
A: No. Working Healthy is a Medicaid program, through Social and Rehabilitation
Services, for employed persons who also have a disability based on Social
Security criteria.
Q: Can Working Healthy or the Benefits Specialists help me find a job?
A: No, Working Healthy cannot help individuals with job placement. They can
however direct you to programs that assist with finding jobs. For example,
the KS JobLink is a good place to start: http://www.kansasjoblink.com
Q: Why did I get a letter saying I would be converted back to a spenddown?
A: This can happen if an individual did not provide, or did not provide in
a timely manner, his or her EES worker with the proper information at the desk-review
for continued Working Healthy eligibility. If this happens to you, please contact
your EES worker or Benefits Specialist.
Watch for more FAQ’s on-line at http://das.kucrl.org/medicaid.html and
in the next issue in April!
Benefits Specialist Corner
This issue features Working Healthy Benefits Specialist
Judith Vargas from the Manhattan Area SRS Office. Judi has worked for SRS for
over two years, working as an EES worker at the Wichita Area office prior to
becoming a Benefits Specialist. Before working for SRS, Judi attended Wichita
State University and graduated with a degree in Sociology and Women’s
Studies. She also brings her experiences working with homeless and domestic
violence issues.
Outside of work, Judi spends most of her time with family and likes to travel.
Judi can be contacted by email at MJXV@srskansas.org or by phone at (785) 776-4011,
ext. 227.
“In the past year, it has been a wonderful opportunity for me to see
how Working Healthy has helped so many individuals obtain affordable insurance.
For some, it meant saving a monthly total of $400.00 or more on their medical
needs. And others, just the ability to purchase prescriptions that they couldn’t
afford before. Affordable health care is a benefit that not everyone is fortunate
enough to obtain. And Working Healthy opens those doors for disabled individuals
where health care is a must.
I have also seen the quality of life improve for so many people on Working
Healthy. Not only does working give them a great feeling of self improvement,
but the money saved on health care allows individuals a greater saving opportunity.
In turn, these savings can give them more spending money for their needs and
wants.
It has been great working with so many diverse people and organizations across
my area, and I have enjoyed helping individuals to understand their benefits
so that they can make confident decisions about their future. Working Healthy
has been a life-improving program for so many people, and through outreach
we hope to reach many more.” - Judith Vargas, Benefits Specialist
Benefits Specialists Continue Outreach Activities
Along with presentations at conferences and within communities, Benefits Specialists
also engage in other outreach and technical assistance related activities.
Since October 2003, Benefits Specialist have conducted 149 presentations
and provided technical assistance to more than 2,000 consumers, service providers,
caseworkers, and other individuals on either a case-by-case basis or in terms
of programmatic issues and questions.
Conferences at which Benefits Specialists will conduct Working Healthy presentations
include the following:
• March 30-31, KanTrans: Kansas Transition Conference, Wichita
• April 1, Social Security Administration & Working Healthy Outreach,
Topeka Public Library
• April 6-8, Issues Forum (no presentation, but Specialists will be available
for discussions and to answer questions), Kansas City Missouri
• May 11-13, ADA Symposium, Kansas City Hyatt Regency at Crown Center
For additional information regarding conferences please contact the Benefits
Specialist Team Leader, Nancy Scott, by phone at 785-291-3461 or by e-mail NAS@srskansas.org.
In December, SRS compiled a list of Kansans with disabilities and earnings but
were not enrolled in Working Healthy. Benefits Specialists sent letters providing
information about Working Healthy and their contact information to these individuals.
A total of 27 individuals responded to the letters and several are now new Working
Healthy enrollees.
Finally, three of the Benefits Specialists work at offices in their regions
on a cyclical basis each week or month (see Table below). Those not listed
(Norm White, Kansas City; Judi Vargas, Northeast; Sherri Sherman, Northwest;
and
Dan Hallacy, Southeast), as well as the other specialists, are available at
anytime
by appointment. Please call them directly or toll free at
1-800-449-1439.
Specialist/Region |
Location & Date(s) |
| Carrie Boettcher, Southcentral | Topeka SRS office: every Wednesday Valeo Behavioral Health Care: January 20, February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18 Winfield SRS Office: January 15, February 19, March 18, April 15, May 20 |
| Steve Curtis, Southwest | Garden City Center for Independent Living: February 3, March 2, April
13 Dodge City Center for Independent Living: February 2, March 1, April 5 Liberal Center for Independent Living: February 17, March 16, April 20 |
| Maddie Anthony, Wichita | Newton SRS office: mornings on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month McPherson SRS office: afternoons on the 3rd Tuesday of each month Hutchinson SRS office: all day the 2nd Wednesday of each month |
This newsletter and other Working Healthy information can be found
online at: http://das.kucrl.org/medicaid.html
Working Healthy is published quarterly by theUniversity of Kansas CRL, Division
of Adult Studies and
in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Social and
Rehabilitation
Services.Additional copies and
copies in alternate formats are available upon request by writing the University
of Kansas
Division of Adult Studies, Attn: Noelle, 1122 West Campus Rd.. JRP Hall
Rm. 517, Lawrence, KS 66045, by phone (785) 864-7085, by email: pixie@ku.edu
KU Research Team:
Jean Hall, Principal Investigator
Noelle Kurth, Project Coordinator and Editor
Dan Cox, Graduate Research Assistant
SRS, Division of Health Care Policy:
Mary Ellen O'Brien Wright, Program Director
Nancy Scott, Benefits Specialist Team Leader