This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Workers with Disabilities in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Disability
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or “Disability” provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work.
Disability Benefits
This booklet from the Social Security Administration provides an overview of the various kinds of disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration. This booklet will tell you who may get benefits, how to apply and what you need to know once benefits start. [PDF] February 2025.
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) - A Guide to Eligibility
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) is a state health insurance program for people who are working and have a disability or serious health condition. MAWD is often a good option for people who make too much money to qualify for other categories of Medical Assistance (MA or Medicaid) but who nonetheless need health insurance. MAWD provides comprehensive health insurance coverage and as compared to other MA programs, has high income and resource limits. MAWD also has flexible work and disability requirements. This guide explains each MAWD eligibility requirement in depth and tells you how to apply for MAWD coverage. (January 2025)
Workers' Compensation
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits to workers injured on the job. Injuries include occupational diseases and any aggravation or acceleration of a non-work-related condition that reduces your ability to work or results in death. [PDF] (November 2012)
Workers' Compensation
Information on Workers' Compensation benefits from the Erie County Bar Association. Workers' compensation provides benefits for employees in Pennsylvania who are injured in the performance of their employment. An injury can include traumatic injury or a disease. (February 2019)
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Apply Online For Social Security Disability Benefits
Online Application for Social Security Disability Benefits
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Facts About MAWD (Medical Assistance Benefits for Workers with Disabilities) (Video)
This video from Pennsylvania Health Law Project provides information on the Medical Assistance Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program which provides low-cost health insurance to people who are disabled and working. If you need help applying for MAWD, or if you receive a denial after submitting your MAWD application, call PA Health Law Project’s toll free Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 for free legal assistance to help you resolve a denied application and get the coverage you need. (2021)
MAWD or Marketplace? - What Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Need to Know About Choosing Health Insurance Coverage
Information on the selection of medical insurance by persons eligible for Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD). Today, people with serious health issues and persons with disabilities who are working or may be able to work, can choose between Marketplace health insurance and MAWD. Includes eligibility requirements for each program, how to apply and highlights factors to consider when choosing coverage. (2015)
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) - A Guide to Eligibility
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) is a state health insurance program for people who are working and have a disability or serious health condition. MAWD is often a good option for people who make too much money to qualify for other categories of Medical Assistance (MA or Medicaid) but who nonetheless need health insurance. MAWD provides comprehensive health insurance coverage and as compared to other MA programs, has high income and resource limits. MAWD also has flexible work and disability requirements. This guide explains each MAWD eligibility requirement in depth and tells you how to apply for MAWD coverage. (January 2025)
Special Needs Trust
Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of what a Special Needs Trust is, who needs one, and how to get one. (October 2018)
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Workers' Compensation
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits to workers injured on the job. Injuries include occupational diseases and any aggravation or acceleration of a non-work-related condition that reduces your ability to work or results in death. [PDF] (November 2012)
Workers' Compensation
Information on Workers' Compensation benefits from the Erie County Bar Association. Workers' compensation provides benefits for employees in Pennsylvania who are injured in the performance of their employment. An injury can include traumatic injury or a disease. (February 2019)
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
If you are seeking a job or are new to the workforce, you should become familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society. One fundamental principle of the ADA is that individuals with disabilities who want to work and are qualified to work must have an equal opportunity to work. This brochure from the U.S. Department of Justice answers questions you may have about your employment rights under the ADA. (February 25, 2020)
Apply Online For Social Security Disability Benefits
Online Application for Social Security Disability Benefits
Benefit Publications from the Social Security Administration
Large collection of publications providing information on the various programs such as: disability benefits, appeal process, benefits for people with HIV, how workmans' compensation can affect your disability benefits, children with disabilities, info on receiving your payments, benefits for those who are blind or have low vision, details on ticket to work incentives, info on working while disabled, retirement benefits, government pension offset, medicare, windfall provision, survivors benefits, SSI, SSI for non-citizens, food stamps and other nutrition progams, protecting your on social security numbers, and more. Many publications available in Spanish.
Disability
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or “Disability” provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work.
Disability Benefits
This booklet from the Social Security Administration provides an overview of the various kinds of disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration. This booklet will tell you who may get benefits, how to apply and what you need to know once benefits start. [PDF] February 2025.
Employment Laws: Disability & Discrimination
Information from the U.S. Department of Labor about the five important federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment and the job application process.
How Worker's Compensation And Other Disability Payments May Affect Your Social Security Benefits
Information from the Social Security Administration regarding how workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce your Social Security Disability Benefits. [PDF] (January 2025)
Medical Assistance Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
Information on Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. MAWD lets Pennsylvanians with disabilities take a fulfilling job, earn more money and still keep their full medical coverage. With MAWD you can keep Medical Assistance while you work, even if your earnings increase above the limits for other Medical Assistance programs.
Office of Disability Employment Policy - Program Policies
Comprehensive online federal government listings designed to provide people with disabilities information from across the government.
The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability
Information from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act which make it unlawful to discriminate in employment against a qualified individual with a disability.
Working While Disabled - How We Can Help
This booklet from the Social Security Administration provides information for people who are receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, but still want to work. It provides an overview of the various work incentive rules and answers many related questions. [PDF] (2026)
Your Ticket To Work
Information from the Social Security Administration regarding the Ticket To Work Program and how more Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits. Some of the work incentives allow you to keep some Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI benefits, and your Medicaid or Medicare, while you transition to the workplace. (February 2025)
Assistive Technology for Persons with Brain Injury
Information from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania on the use of assistive technology for persons with brain injury. (January 2018)
Employment Publications from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Publications about disability and employment from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania.
How to Appeal a Medical Assistance Denial of Assistive Technology
This manual from Disability Rights Pennsylvania will explain your rights when Medical Assistance, including your Medical Assistance managed health care plan, denies prior authorization or denies a program exception. This includes an approval of something less or different than what your doctor prescribed. [PDF] (January 2018)
Private Disability Insurance
This fact sheet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania contains general information about private disability insurance. (February 2018)
Reasonable Accommodations in Employment
The Fact Sheet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania addresses the duty of employers to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2018)