Metro Washington, D.C., area Social Security disability benefits recipients may be familiar with the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program. The program pays organizations to help disabled people develop job skills.

The program was in the news recently because a New Hampshire agency is offering an added incentive for people to join its job-skills organization. Those who join the organization in New Hampshire and land a job are awarded a $50 gas gift card each month.

The program in New Hampshire is called NH at Work. According to a business development administrator with NH at Work, the organization works with people to identify their strengths and prepare for job interviews.

One 34-year-old man found employment at a department store in its shipping and receiving department, according to a news article. The man has high-functioning autism and some challenges related to speech and language. The organization helped him to use the Web to find the job.

Currently, he earns between $70 and $220 a week. He has set a goal, as a part of the program, to earn $720 a month. Also, as part of the program, he will eventually attempt to obtain a monthly income of $1,010 -- at which point his Social Security payments may be reduced.

He would reportedly still have health benefits through the Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities program.

The man said in a news story that he very much enjoys working, and he does not fear the potential tapering off of benefits as long as he can continue to earn an income. For the time being, he will live off of both his part-time job income and his Social Security benefits.

Not being able to work and the difficult process of applying for Social Security disability benefits can often end up leaving a person feeling defeated. Professional Social Security disability attorneys can help to secure benefits when they are appropriate as well as direct you to programs such as these within the Social Security Administration, which may be able to help you supplement your benefits.

Source: New Hampshire Union Leader, "State offers bonus to lure disabled into jobs," Mark Hayward, Jan. 9, 2012