After working nearly 9 years at Land o’Lakes, Lori tore her rotator cuff lifting a heavy bag while working. She was in her 50s and had always worked physically demanding jobs, often lifting heavy bags for 12 hours a day. After her work injury and surgery she wasn’t sure what she’d be able to do. Unable to do the physically …
Long Waits and Long Odds: Social Security Disability Benefits Challenges
In this story on NPR (National Public Radio), Stephanie Hashmi shares her story of applying for social security disability benefits. Hashmi was diagnosed with systemic lupus, a medical condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. She’s had surgery and other treatments. Now, at age 41, Hashmi is often bedridden. Her health caused her to …
Teen Empowerment
This video was created by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with the support of federal funds. Get Empowered! Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for what you need. ERI is pleased to be part of the PROMISE initiative through the Wisconsin Promise project. Wisconsin Promise coordinates services and uses best practices to prepare young adults for future career …
Apply for Social Security Benefits Online
New at Social Security — you can now apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) online. This adds to the growing list of things you can do on Social Security’s website! What’s New You can submit a disability and SSI application together. This should speed up the process and allow you to start receiving benefits sooner. …
May is Mental Health Month: “Risky Business”
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S or more than 43.8 million people experience mental illness each year? While mental illness can be an invisible disability, it impacts people at home, work, school, and in the community. It is an issue we struggle with at the local, state and national level. How do we better connect …
Stacy’s Story: Taking Control of Your Career Path
Finding the right career path is a unique journey for all of us. Most of us experience some wrong turns, obstacles, and lessons learned along the way. Just ask Stacy who I talked to about her experiences in growing her career. Spotlight on Stacy Stacy has determination – she knows what she needs, what she is good at, and is …
Add Your Voice: Support Disability Policies
Joint Finance Committee Hearings on the State Budget April 3 – April 21 • Throughout Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget addresses many issues important to the disability community. Right now, there’s money to end the children’s long-term care wait lists, increase personal care, provide more mental health supports, and increase education funds. Members of the Joint Committee on Finance …