• What is it: DSPD, or Division of Services for People with Disabilities, provides funding and case managers for long term services, such as job coaching, residential services, and respite care.

• Waivers: DSPD distributes Medicaid Waivers, such as the Acquired Brain Injury Waiver (for those who acquire a brain injury), The Autism Waiver (for autism-related medical expenses for children under age 21), and the Community Supports Waiver (for people with intellectual disabilities who want to live in a community-based setting).

• Learn more about the process: reading more about DSPD services and eligibility requirements at www.dspd.utah.gov/eligibility. You can also call 1-800-ASK-DSPD

• The progress: you will have 90 days to submit all your paperwork. You can check on the progress of your application by contacting your intake worker.

• Waiting list: There is a waitlist for DSPD services but discuss your needs with your intake worker. Immediate needs are taken into consideration when determining eligibility.

• Renew: Annually, you will be asked to fill out a survey to update your disability and circumstances. If you don’t fill out this survey and return it during the designated time, your name will be taken off the waitlist. Therefore, it’s very important that you watch for, fill out, and return this form. Also, keep your information up to date- especially your phone number and address.

• HINT: Many of the documents you need to apply for DSPD will be required to apply for other services. Once you gather this paperwork, keep it in a safe place. You will probably need it again.

• What is it: Vocational Rehabilitation, “Voc Rehab” or “VR”, is pivotal in providing employment services for people with disabilities. This includes assessments, help with resumes and interviews, job carving, job placement, and job coaching. There are also specialized services such as Customized Employment. VR provides these services or authorizes services through a Community Rehabilitation Provider, such as Columbus Community Center, Turn Community Services, Eaton Alliance, and many others.

• Learn More: Click here to know more about Vocational Rehabilitation (https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/vr/index.html)

• Waiting List: VR may also have a waitlist. They serve “most significantly disabled” clients first.

• Who Can Apply: Students as young as 14 can apply for VR services. Research shows that students who have a part-time job in high school are much more likely to have a job after they graduate. This provides stability and helps them avoid disengagement after graduation. VR may also pay for education and training, depending on income and specific circumstances.

You might qualify for one or both depending on your family personal circuntances. There are two different kinds of social security benefits.

• • SSI (Supplemental Security Income): is primarily for youth with disabilities and no employment history who live in poverty.
    If the applicant is younger than 18, income level is determined by the parents’ income, and there is an asset limit of $2,000 with a few exemptions (one car, the house you live in, disability trusts).
    In the case of the parents’ income is above the poverty level, you may want to wait to apply for SSI.
    If the applicant is over 18, he/she is considered his/her own household, even if he/she still lives with a family. This means Social Security will determine eligibility by the individual and $1,100 for a couple.

• • SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): is a benefit for individuals with an employment history. The amount varies, depending on how much you have paid into the Social Security system through FICA taxes, and on whether you work while receiving SSDI benefits.

• Learn more about the process: Explore the website to learn more about updates and new benefits ssa.gov/disability/ or www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/ You can also call 1-800-772-1213. There are two different kinds of social security benefits.

•  Paperwork: You need a lot of paperwork for social security applications-medical history, school records, and a psych evaluation. The paperwork needed is listed in the application. Gathering the paperwork is the most difficult part of applying for these services. For more information about applying for Social Security disability check out their websites ssa.gov/disability/ or www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/. You can also call 1-800-772-1213.

•  UWIPS(Utah Work Incentive Planning Services) is an organization that provides benefits planning around employment and Social Security, to help you determine how to manage earned income and benefits. You must be referred to a UWIPS counselor. For a referral, speak to your social security intake advisor, or call Columbus Community Center at 801-626-1552 and ask for someone from Community Employment. https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/vr/services/uwips.html

•  UWIPS (Utah Work Incentive Planning Services) is an organization that provides benefits planning around employment and Social Security, to help you determine how to manage earned income and benefits. You must be referred to a UWIPS counselor. For a referral, speak to your social security intake advisor, or call Columbus Community Center at 801-262-1552 and ask for someone from Community Employment. https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/vr/services/uwips.html

• What is it: Medicaid is a needs-based program that pays for medical care and pays for waivers administered by DSPD. Medicaid is for people who live in poverty and for individuals with disabilities. Medicare is a separate program and has different qualifying criteria.

• Learn More: There are different types of Medicaid, and these services, just like any other health program, need research and investigation to ensure you are receiving the right services for you. Click here to know more about Medicaid https://medicaid.utah.gov/

• Who qualifies: Individuals who qualify for Supplemental Security Income automatically qualify for Medicaid.