Employment Resources, Inc.

10/17/2026

How do you explain employment gaps in interviews? Briefly, honestly, and then redirect to your qualifications.

"I took time to manage a health condition - it's stable now and I'm ready to work."

Then immediately pivot to what you bring to the role. Don't over-explain. Don't apologize. Don't provide medical details they didn't ask for and don't need.

Gaps are common for many reasons - the key is demonstrating that you're capable and committed now. Practice this answer until it feels natural, because fumbling through it makes the gap seem more problematic than it actually is.

https://www.employmentresources.org/ticket-to-work/skills-assessment-tests/?utm_source=SMM

Learn how skills assessment tests can help identify your strengths and potential career paths, with guidance from Employment Resources Inc.'s employment experts.

10/15/2026

Ticket to Work is free. Completely free. You pay nothing for benefits counseling, employment planning, job search help, resume support, interview coaching, or ongoing workplace support. Nothing. Social Security pays Employment Networks based on your success, not your wallet.

10/13/2026

Should you tell your employer about a mental health condition? Only if you need accommodations or it affects your work.

Anxiety requiring flexible deadlines during bad days? Disclose. Depression that's managed and doesn't impact job performance? Your business. The calculation changes if symptoms start affecting your work - at that point, disclosure with accommodation requests protects your job better than struggling silently. But mental health conditions carry stigma that physical disabilities sometimes don't, so the timing and details of disclosure deserve careful thought about your specific workplace culture and your relationship with your supervisor.

10/10/2026

Employers: hiring people with disabilities isn't charity. It's good business.

You gain employees with problem-solving skills most candidates don't have - they've spent years figuring out how to navigate a world that wasn't built for them.

You get lower turnover because workers who fought for the opportunity tend to value it.

You access tax credits and incentives that offset any accommodation costs.

You build a workforce that actually reflects your customer base.

And you demonstrate values that matter to consumers and top talent.

The business case writes itself.

10/08/2026

Here's what most people don't understand about networking when you have a disability. You already have a network - it's just not the traditional professional kind. Medical providers who've seen your capabilities. Support group members who've watched your growth. Family friends who know your work ethic. Therapists who understand your strengths. Former teachers or counselors who remember your potential. These people can connect you to opportunities, vouch for your reliability, and open doors you didn't know existed.

Professional networking isn't just LinkedIn and business cards. It's every person who's witnessed what you can do and would tell others about it. Start there.

10/06/2026

What happens after your nine Trial Work Period months end? You enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. During these three years, benefits adjust monthly based on your earnings - you get checks for months below SGA, nothing for months above it. But you don't lose eligibility. The flexibility continues.

10/03/2026

Job accommodations aren't special treatment. They're leveling the playing field so your disability doesn't prevent you from showing what you can actually do. Modified schedules let you manage medical appointments without losing your job. Assistive technology makes tasks accessible that would otherwise be impossible. Adjusted workspace setup reduces pain or sensory overload that has nothing to do with your job skills. When the ADA requires reasonable accommodations, it's recognizing that your talents deserve the same opportunity to contribute as anyone else's. The accommodation isn't the favor - getting to demonstrate your actual abilities is just fairness.

https://www.employmentresources.org/ticket-to-work/reasonable-accomodations/?utm_source=SMM

Learn about common workplace reasonable accommodations, resources for implementation, and how to request accommodations under the ADA from Employment Resources' expert team.

10/01/2026

Report monthly wages by the sixth day of the month!

10/01/2026

Can you work while receiving SSDI? Yes. Will you lose your benefits immediately? No. The Trial Work Period gives you nine months to test employment while keeping your full check. Nine months. Full benefits. Any earnings amount.

09/30/2026

Choosing an Employment Network matters. Different ENs specialize in different disabilities, industries, or services. Some offer extensive job placement assistance while others focus on benefits counseling and support. Geographic service areas vary. The quality of individual advisors affects your experience significantly. You're not locked into your first choice - you can change ENs if the relationship isn't working. Take time to interview potential ENs before assigning your Ticket. Ask about their experience with your disability type, their job development approach, and how they provide ongoing support. The right EN partnership makes your employment journey significantly easier.