Nancy: A Sense of Security
Looking back, the main thing Nancy remembers from working with the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) was a sense of security. When she was unable to work, it made her feel vulnerable and ADEN provided much needed support during that time in her life.
Nancy began experiencing mental health symptoms for a couple years and was diagnosed with a mental health condition. Her behavior had caused her to lose her job and become hospitalized. Prior to this interruption in her career, she was an automobile insurance claims adjuster paying claims for property damage and injuries.
Realizing she wanted to regain her health and self-reliance, Nancy committed to following her doctor’s orders. Though it took some time, she is now working again and in the claims department of a healthcare organization at a level similar to where she was before her crises. Although Nancy has much more to learn about health insurance claims, the overlap between her current and previous position is beneficial to her current employer. She is proud of her hard-earned independence.
Nancy’s ADEN representative, Brenda with Umholtz Consulting, provided her with employment services and helpful information about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Brenda reassured Nancy that the safety net would hold and made sure steps were taken so that Nancy would remain compliant with SSA requirements. Brenda was a friendly, accessible resource and someone Nancy felt she could talk to openly about her struggles. The compassion displayed by Brenda made Nancy feel less alone. All of the supports provided to Nancy eventually allowed her to get off Social Security disability cash benefits as she continued to work full-time. This provided an opportunity for Nancy to exercise new financial discipline. Now, she is earning more than she was when receiving benefits, which allows her the ability to live on the same amount of financial resources as before and put the remainder into retirement savings. She says, “Thank you, ADEN, for being there for me.”
The American Dream Employment Network is available to support individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Beneficiaries experience all different kinds of disabilities, barriers to work and job histories. ADEN works with each Participant individually to learn their needs and desires, while providing expertise about the job market, employment services and disability benefits. For more information on how you can assign your Ticket to Work to ADEN, please call 844-687-2336.
ADEN consists of 60+ service providers across the country. To find a list of ADEN Members, visit https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/aden/aden-members/. These professionals provide effective virtual services or in-person services. Umholtz Consulting has been a Member of ADEN since 2015.
