Next Steps

Contact a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) office in your area to learn about the eligibility requirements and services VR offers. The program offers a variety of services to persons with disabilities to prepare for, get, and keep employment.

Visit a local IowaWORKS office to search for a job or get information on services offered, including career and skills assessment, resume and application assistance, and job referrals.

Look for jobs on IowaWorks online, where you can specifically search for disability-friendly jobs.

The Iowa Workforce Development website offers online tools to assess and improve your skills; a Career Explorer tool that lets you learn about different jobs in Iowa; and detailed information about Iowa's Labor Market.

You can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

• By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
• At your local Social Security office

You can also apply for SSDI online. If you have an appointment with Social Security, it's a good idea to review the Disability Starter Kit to prepare.

You can apply for Medicaid or Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD):

• Online at the Iowa HHS Services Portal

• By downloading and completing the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs (also in Spanish), or

• At your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office.

You can also apply for Medicaid or individual health insurance using HealthCare.gov.

You can apply for SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), the Family Investment Program (FIP), or other benefits:

• Online at the Iowa HHS Services Portal

• By downloading and completing the Food and Financial Support Application (also in Spanish), or

• At your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office.

The Iowa Health & Human Services department explains how to apply for each of these services.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program helps people with disabilities who get Social Security benefits re-enter the workforce and become more independent. The Ticket to Work Program offers free access to employment-related services, such as training, transportation, and vocational rehabilitation. You can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Learn more on DB101's page about Ticket to Work in Iowa.

A trained Benefits Planner can help you understand your benefits programs. Exactly who you need to contact depends on your situation and the benefits you get.

View DB101's full list of experts who can help you understand different benefits.