Some folks who receive Social Security disability benefits qualify for a free federal work program that can help them find a job.
Few eligible New Mexicans actually enrolled in the program last year, but participation is improving some.
Almost 7,000 people enrolled in the last year. That's a couple thousand more folks than the year before, but it鈥檚 still just 7 percent of everyone who qualifies.
Jill Beets is with the , a nonprofit in Albuquerque that provides resources for people with disabilities. She said there are a few reasons why that number is so low, including "the digital divide where people don鈥檛 have access to computers, for example."
Beets also said people don鈥檛 enroll in the program because they don鈥檛 want to lose their Social Security benefits.
"It can often take upwards of two years to get signed on to Social Security disability," she said. "A lot of people with disabilities don鈥檛 know that they can get fast-tracked back on if their job doesn鈥檛 work out."
No one is required to enroll, but if you鈥檙e curious, contact your local disability service group. You can also email Adelante at tickettowork@goadelante.org.
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