What is your name, title, and role with Work Without Limits?
Brian Forsythe, Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC). I provide Public Benefits Counseling to individuals with disabilities receiving SSDI and SSI who are working or looking for work.
How long have you held this position?
I’ve been at UMMS for ten years and eight years as a CWIC prior to joining UMMS.
What is the best part of your job?
Meeting with clients one to one to help them understand that it is possible to work while receiving Social Security benefits and that in fact they will be better off by working.
Do you have any special skills, interests or hobbies?
I enjoy developing and conducting training’s to help service providers understand how they can better serve the needs of their clients.
What is your best advice for job seekers?
Don’t be afraid to take a chance on employment. The satisfaction you get from a job well done far outweighs any anxiety about possible changes to public benefits.
What is your best advice for employers seeking a more inclusive and/or diverse workforce?
Look past a person’s perceived limitations and focus on their skill set. Individuals with disabilities are usually capable of much more than you think. They may do things differently, but they can do them.
What is your favorite place in the world?
The coast of Maine.
