[nfbwatlk] Benefits Counseling Programs

[Frye, Daniel]

Philip:

Virginia Commonwealth University has a national Social Security benefits counseling and certification course. I know little more than this, being uncertain of starting dates, class sizes, cost, and length of training, but visiting the school's Website might help you. Further, the Maryland Department of Disabilities has a supplemental benefits counseling course that offers details on government benefits unique to the Maryland Medicaid program. In general, in this part of the country, folks take the Virginia Commonwealth Federal class and the state course to receive region-specific certification. I hope these program leads help you find something in your area or to discover that VCU can cater to you via correspondence.


Daniel B. Frye, J.D.
Management and Program Specialist 
Randolph-Sheppard and Helen Keller
National Center Programs
U.S. Department of Education 
Office of Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services 
Rehabilitation Services Administration 
550 12th Street, SW, Room 5023 
Washington, DC  20202-2800 
(202) 245-7308 office 
(202) 245-7591 fax
(410) 241-7006 mobile
daniel.frye at ed.gov



-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Philip Blackmer
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 1:01 AM
To: faith-talk at nfbnet.org; nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Benefits Counseling Programs

Hi everyone.  My name is Philip Blackmer.  I am looking for information about job opportunities in the area of benefits counseling.  This is a relatively new field and is difficult to find much information about on the web, especially which programs offer benefits counseling services as part of their other programs and services.  Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.  I couldn't really find a definition of what benefits counseling is, but I did find a comment from the following website that explains in a general sense what benefits counseling is:

 

http://www.benefits-training.com/

 

        "Michael Walling of Benefits Training and IMG_1222Consulting provides workshops, internet-based training, and technical assistance throughout the United States.

        The focus of my work is the dissemination of information and the provision of technical assistance on public benefit programs, received by individuals with disabilities.

        I am committed to the belief people will work and pursue greater self-sufficiency when they understand how income affects their benefit programs.  Informed choice is one of the first steps to improving self-sufficiency and personal independence."