Next Steps

Contact an Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) office in your area to sign up for an orientation to learn about the eligibility requirements and services EIPD offers. The program offers a variety of services to persons with disabilities to prepare for, get, and keep employment.

Visit a local NCWorks Career Center to search for a job or get information on services offered, including career and skills assessment, resume and application assistance, and job referrals.

Search for jobs on NCWorks Online. It also has multiple tools to help with your job search, like an Interest Finder and a Skills Matcher, and steps for creating a resume.

You can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

• By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
• At your local Social Security office

You can also apply for SSDI online. If you have an appointment with Social Security, it's a good idea to review the Disability Starter Kit to prepare.

You can apply for NC Medicaid, Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities (HCWD), FNS (Food Stamps), or Work First:

• Online using epass.nc.gov (if you need help, watch a video or read the step-by-step guide), or

• At your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office

You can also apply for NC Medicaid or individual health insurance using HealthCare.gov.

North Carolina's Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), formerly called the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS or VR), helps people with disabilities prepare for and find work. Whether you're looking to enter the workforce for the first time, return to work, or enter a new line of work, a counselor can work with you to figure out which services you need and develop a plan to help you reach your work goals.

Call or visit the Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) office near you.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program helps people with disabilities who get Social Security benefits re-enter the workforce and become more independent. The Ticket to Work Program offers free access to employment-related services, such as training, transportation, and vocational rehabilitation. You can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

A trained Benefits Planner can help you understand your benefits programs. Exactly who you need to contact depends on your situation and the benefits you get.

View DB101's full list of experts who can help you understand different benefits.