WorkWORLD has numerous practical uses in the rapidly evolving field of disability, rehabilitation, and employment.

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act and the Workforce Investment Act have opened new opportunities and challenges for people with disabilities and service providers. The implementation of these laws has begun and will continue well into the next decade. New personnel will be trained to help people with disabilities use Social Security work incentives. Rehabilitation and employment services, and vital supports such as housing, transportation, and health insurance, will become more widely available to consumers who will be using vouchers to purchase selected services. Consumers will rely on a more seamless service delivery system, coordinated through One Stop Centers and their approved agency partners. They will have access to a greater number of expert benefits planners.

Legislation calls for the development of an individual work plan in partnership with each beneficiary that includes a statement of the: (1) beneficiary's vocational goal, (2) services and supports necessary to accomplish that goal, (3) terms and conditions related to the provision of those services and supports, (4) rights and remedies available to the beneficiary, and (5) beneficiary's right to modify his/her work plan, if needed.

WorkWORLD is an ideal tool for developing the individual work plan. It allows for both long term planning and for examining the impact of short-term adjustments, like changes in hourly wages. The software can assist with stages of planning and can provide information about the effects of daily situational changes on net income.

Go to http://WWW.WORKWORLD.ORG/Profiles.html#Cases and choose the cases labeled "Jack" and "Jack2" to learn how WorkWORLD is used for setting goals that lead to successful vocational outcomes. Jack and his counselor work together to make strategic decisions at key points in his effort to return to work.

Jack is an adult who has not been working because of a disability that prevents him from continuing in his current job. He lives with his wife, who does not work or receive disability benefits. Jack feels he is too young to retire and would like to pursue job re-training and return to work, if his medical benefits can be sustained, and if he can avoid serious drops in net income as he pursues his occupational goals.

Initially, Jack's monthly income is too high for him to be eligible for SSI. WorkWORLD tells him that he could be financially eligible with a PASS. He gets a PASS approved, and examines what work incentive options are available to enable him to pursue job training and to see if it is possible to return to work.

Jack applies his new skills in the workplace and is very successful throughout his Trial Work Period. When the Trial Work Period ends, and Jack's monthly income is above the limit for Substantial Gainful Activity, his health benefits are jeopardized. He uses WorkWORLD once again to evaluate his options for using a PASS for additional occupational training and sustaining health coverage until he has the independent means for buying into a medical insurance plan.

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