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Your Employment Services

There are services and medical assistance resources an individual with a disability can use. You may already receive benefits because you:

  • Need assistance with daily activities due to aging, injury, illness or disability;
  • Have an intellectual disability or are on the autism spectrum; or
  • Have a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with or limits at least one major life activity. 

If you have a disability and you are just learning about medical assistance and services, don't wait. If you are not sure if you are already receiving benefits, please reach out using one of the resources below:

  • If you need assistance with daily activities due to aging, injury, illness or disability and you are looking for employment, and are not already enrolled in waiver services offered through Community HealthChoices (CHC).
    Call the OLTL Participant Helpline at 1-800-757-5047 or visit the     Office of Long-Term Living's (OLTL) website 

  • If you have an intellectual disability or are on the autism spectrum, are looking for employment, and are not already enrolled in services with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), read about ODP and how to get registered with your county Mental Health/Intellectual Disability agency. 
    Call the Intellectual Disabilities Services Customer Service Line at
    1-888-565-9435 or visit employment page on MyODP.org

  • If you are an individual with a serious mental illness, you are looking for employment, and are not already connected with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
    Reach out to your     county behavioral health case manager for assistance. 
    For more information, visit the OMHSAS website. 

Prepare for a Job

Do you need extra help gaining the skills, trainings, or certifications required to get the job you want? Do you need more information on the benefits you have? Do you need help finding your way through the employment process? 

DHS programs give you many ways to find and keep a job if you have a disability and are interested in competitive, integrated employment (CIE).

If you are looking for employment, here are some examples of the services that may be available to you through your specific services and medical assistance resources :

  • Benefits counseling helps people considering or seeking competitive integrated employment (CIE). It can also help people grow in a current job or career. Counseling can answer questions and give information about CIE and how it might result in increased economic self-sufficiency and/or financial benefit through work incentives.

  • Career Assessments are used to jobs or careers based on your interests.

  • Job Finding helps you find a job that fits your skills and goals. These services make sure that you have the support to find and keep a job in your community.

  • Job Coaching provides support if you need help learning a new job and maintaining a job that meets the definition of CIE.

  • Employment Skills Development Services help you get work experience including volunteer work, where you can develop strength and skills that will help you in your job. Depending on what you need, this is done through:

    1. Supported Employment provide you with what you need to get and keep competitive integrated employment.
    2. Advanced Supported Employment helps you if you have little or no experience in seeking or keeping a job that is expected to result in competitive, integrated employment.
    3. Small Group Employment helps you to transition to competitive integrated employment through service options.