History

Early 1990’s: The MN Work Incentives Coalition, a voluntary group, was formed to share information and sponsor training about Social Security benefits and work earnings.

Mid 1990’s: Members of the MN Work Incentives Coalition and the MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN CCD) banded together to address work incentives issues.

1998: Minnesota received a State Partnership Initiative grant from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help people with disabilities go to work. The grant was administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

1999: Minnesota Work Incentives Connection was created! Community meetings held throughout Minnesota confirmed the need for a centralized service that would tell people how their government benefits would be impacted if they worked. The Connection’s toll-free hotline service was launched in the Fall of 1999. Statewide outreach sessions were held to inform Minnesotans about the new, Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program.

2000: The Connection began offering comprehensive, written, Benefits Analysis reports with 60 completed during the first year. Staff also responded to 1,527 Hotline inquiries and conducted statewide outreach meetings on MA-EPD and the federal, Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. The Connection’s first full newsletter was published, and the first Recognition Banquet was held to recognize people with disabilities who gave up their Social Security benefits as a result of working.

2001 to 2004: Benefits Analyses completed each year grew from 115 in 2001 to 239 in 2004. Annual Hotline contacts grew from 2,042 in 2001 to 2,942 in 2004. Statewide community meetings were conducted annually to inform Minnesotans about Social Security work incentives, changes in MA-EPD, other health care programs for people with disabilities, and the Ticket to Work program. Newsletters were distributed to the Connection’s mailing list and Recognition Banquets were held annually. “Stories of Self-sufficiency” flyers were published, starting in 2003, and the Connection’s website was launched in 2004.

2005: All of the above activities continued, with 255 Benefits Analyses and 2,761 Hotline contacts completed in 2005. Statewide community meetings were conducted on the new, Medicare Prescription Drug program. Analysis of the Connection’s outcome research showed that Benefits Analysis participants had increased their earnings by 39.6% at 12-month follow up, as compared to intake. 6.8% of participants reduced their Social Security benefits to $0 as a result of work, compared to the national experience of less than 0.5%. As envisioned when the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection was created, planning began for the Connection to separate from state government and become an independent nonprofit agency, so it could remain a long term resource for Minnesotans.

2006: The Minnesota Work Incentives Connection separated from state government on October 1, 2006, and began operating as an independent, nonprofit agency. Staff were able to maintain services during the transition, completing 244 Benefits Analyses and responding to 3,072 Hotline inquiries. The Connection’s newsletter was published; the 7th Annual Recognition Banquet was held; and statewide community meetings were conducted on health care options for people with disabilities. The Connection is well established as a one-stop, nonprofit resource on work and benefits.

2011: On October 1, 2011, the Work Incentives Connection merged with Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota.  As a program of Goodwill/Easter Seals, the Work Incentives Connection will be able to grow and thrive. This partnership with Goodwill/Easter Seals will ensure the long term sustainability of the Connection's comprehensive benefits assistance services for the benefit of Minnesotans with disabilities, their families and the community.