I want to keep working, but my arthritis is making it impossible to continue in my present job. What can I do?


You may want to take advantage of vocational rehabilitation services to help you find a job that you can perform with your arthritis. For information on vocational rehabilitation agencies in your area, contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter or state vocational rehabilitation office. Nonprofit independent living centers may be another good resource. To learn more about the services provided by independent living centers, visit the Web site of Independent Living Research Utilization, a program of The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, at www.ilru.org, and click on the link to a directory of independent living centers in your state. Or call your state vocational rehabilitation office for the name of an independent living center near you. 

Despite all your best efforts, there may come a time when arthritis makes it impossible for you to continue working. If you become disabled because of arthritis and are unable to return to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits under a private or group plan, if you have one, or through the Social Security Administration, or both. The next chapter looks at these sources of financial assistance.

©2001. National Endowment for Financial Education. All rights reserved.

Note: Certain content areas in this material are current as of the publishing, but legislative and regulatory changes as well as new developments may date this material over time. This content is meant to provide general financial information; it is not meant to be a substitute for or to supersede specific professional or legal advice.