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This webinar is designed to assist families with understanding the eligibility rules for disability benefits, how to apply for benefits, and what to do once a decision is made.
Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the eligibility rules for disability benefits.
- Understand how to apply for benefits.
- Understand what to do once a decision is made.
About the presenter:
Sandy Hardy-Smith is the Chief Operations Officer for Benefits and Employment Services with Imagine Enterprises. With over 45 years working in the field of disability, she has 40+ years in community-based employment services and 25+ years of training on Social Security benefits.
Sandy directs Imagine Enterprises’ Work Incentive Planning & Assistance (WIPA) program across 53 counties in Texas. This initiative is part of a Statewide Employment Network (EN) and includes partnerships with:
- The Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation (TWC-VR), providing statewide referrals for benefits counseling, employment and self-employment services, and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
- The Self-Determination Initiative with the University of Kansas.
- The Texas Beacons of Excellence federal grant, in collaboration with TWC-VR and UNTWISE, promoting employment opportunities and benefits counseling for participants in the Amarillo and DFW areas who earn or are at risk of earning less than minimum wage.
Sandy also provides training and technical assistance at the local, state, and national levels to help Social Security beneficiaries work, earn a living, and maintain or obtain needed health insurance. Sandy has a BA in Sociology and Business, and is a certified and credentialed Benefits Planner and Employment Specialist.
