HARRISBURG, Pa., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman today announced that the Department is enhancing and increasing awareness of Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities. MAWD makes it possible for people with disabilities to work and, for a small monthly premium, have full health care coverage.
"People should not have to choose between a job and health care," Secretary Richman said. "Being able to work can make a big difference in the way we feel about ourselves, and we are spreading the word to people with disabilities that they can have a rewarding job and still have full medical coverage."
MAWD allows people with disabilities to pay 5 percent of their income to maintain Medicaid benefits, even if their earnings are above the limits for other Medicaid programs.
The Department of Public Welfare is providing more than $162,000 in grants to 22 grassroots organizations to educate the community about the availability of MAWD and other programs, as well as benefits to employers in hiring people with disabilities.
The grantees will distribute a newly revised educational packet that also is being provided through county assistance offices, county MH/MR offices, CareerLink centers, Councils on Independent Living and many other advocacy organizations.
MAWD was launched in January 2002 and approximately 2,750 individuals are currently enrolled.
"We also are evaluating MAWD by analyzing data and conducting a survey among people who participate, those who don't, professionals and advocates about their experiences and how we can do things better," Secretary Richman said.
DPW is implementing a series of enhancements to MAWD to encourage participation. The first one that is in place is expansion of granting Good Cause where someone can continue to participate in MAWD if good cause prevents him or her from paying the monthly premium.
Those who qualify for MAWD could receive benefits including doctor visits, durable medical equipment, prescription drugs, acute care, mental health services, drug and alcohol treatment, hospital stays, rehabilitation services, hospice services and transportation services.
To apply for MAWD contact your county assistance office, call the Helpline at 800-692-7462 (TTY/TDD users 800-451-5886) or apply online at http://www.compass.state.pa.us/.
Editor's Note: Attached is a list of the grantees by county with the dollar amounts they received. All projects are to be completed by the end of June.
Allegheny County Community Living and Support Services, $7,500 Consumer Health Coalition, $7,500 Southwest Pittsburgh Community Development Corp., $7,500 Turtle Creek Valley MH/MR, $7,500 Beaver County Beaver County Rehabilitation Center, $7,500 Berks County Berks AIDS Network, $7,060 Dauphin County Goodwill Industries of Central PA, $7,500 Erie County Community Resources for Independence, Erie County, $7,500 Franklin County Cumberland Valley MH Center, $6,500 Mercer County Community Counseling Center of Mercer County, $7,445 Philadelphia County Mental Health Association of Southeastern PA, $7,500 Schuylkill County United Cerebral Palsy of Schuylkill, Carbon and Northumberland Counties, $7,500 York County ARC of York County, $7,500 Multiple Counties AIDS Law Project of PA, $7,500 (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, York) Allegheny East MH/MR, $7,500 (Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland) Citizens for Independence and Access, $7,500 (Lancaster, Lebanon) Goodwill Industries of Mid-Eastern PA, $7,457 (Berks, Schuylkill) Lehigh Valley Supports Coalition, $7,500 (Lehigh, Northampton) Myersdale Area School District, $6,100 (Cambria, Somerset) Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, $7,500 (Armstrong, Westmoreland) United Cerebral Palsy of South Central PA, $7,500 (Adams, Franklin, York) Westmoreland Case Management and Supports Inc., $7,500 (Fayette, Westmoreland) CONTACT: Christina Novak (717) 787-4592
Pennsylvania Department of Public WelfareCONTACT: Christina Novak of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare,+1-717-787-4592
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
