Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities...HBWD

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The Arc of Illinois

October 20, 2008

Leaders in The Arc:

Story from Naperville Sun about Disability Employment Awareness Month

and medical Coverage.

Tony auski

The Arc of Illinois

708-206-1930

Governor promotes program for disabled

October 20, 2008

Sun-Times News Group

Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Sunday that Illinois workers who have

disabilities can enter the workforce without worrying about losing

their medical coverage.

As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Blagojevich is

encouraging people with disabilities to apply for the Health Benefits

for Workers with Disabilities Program administered by the Illinois

Department of Healthcare and Family Services, according to a

Blagojevich release. The program helps people with disabilities

maintain affordable and comprehensive healthcare benefits while they

work.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and De

University determined in a study that employers benefit from hiring

workers with disabilities because they are more likely to stay at the

job, the release said. Employers would also be diversifying their

workforce and could receive a tax credit of up to $2,400 per person

hired.

Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities encourages those who

have disabilities to work, and increases the number of hours they are

currently working since the income threshold for eligibility is

higher, the release said. Individuals with a disability, who are

between the ages of 16 and 64 and working, may qualify.

Unlike healthcare benefits for people with disabilities who do not

work, the program allows enrollees to have up to $10,000 in assets

not counting their home, the release said. Enrollees pay a monthly,

income-based premium that ranges from free to $100 that pays for

comprehensive healthcare coverage.

Residents can find out if they are eligible by calling 800-226-0768

or visiting www.hbwdillinois.com.

THIS IS FROM THE HBWD WEBSITE

Illinois has joined the national movement to help people with

disabilities return to work. The new program called Health Benefits

for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD) started providing medical

benefits in January 2002.

Disability advocates have long noted that returning to work is

difficult for people with disabilities. Many fear that a return to

work means losing Medicaid health care coverage. Often private

insurance is difficult or impossible to obtain.

The goal of this program is to help people with disabilities return

to work with full Medicaid health care benefits. HBWD not only

encourages enrollees to work, but to increase the number of hours

they are currently working. Just as the name says, the program

provides health benefits for workers with disabilities.

If you are an individual with a disability, between the ages of 16

and 64 and working, you may qualify for HBWD. Workers with countable

income of up to $1,702 per month for a single person and $2,282 per

month for a couple may qualify for the program. Unlike other Medicaid

programs, HBWD allows enrollees to have up to $10,000 in assets.

Depending on their income, enrollees pay a monthly premium that

ranges from $0 to $100 to receive the full range of Medicaid services.

You may download an application or request an application to be E-

mailed. For more information please call our hotline at 1-800-226-

0768 (TTY 1-866-675-8440).

To have someone talk to your group or organization about the HBWD

program, complete the HBWD Presentation Request.

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The Arc of Illinois

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Homewood, IL 60430