How should you choose a Work Program activity?

You have the right to choose which Work Program activities you will use to meet the work requirement. You have the right to pick an education or training program or any other countable activity, including community service.

New applicants have 12 weeks called “Employment Planning” to set goals, get child care set up, and learn about and enroll in an activity. DTA Online Guide (Employment Planning).

Ask your worker about training or education programs that DTA pays for. Also ask about programs that other agencies pay for, such as adult basic education and training programs paid for by other agencies. In general, it is not good to borrow money to pay for an education or training program, except for college programs that qualify for low-interest loans and have a good track record of helping graduates get jobs.

As long as you choose a countable activity, DTA should approve it and put it in your Employment Development Plan (EDP). See What is an Employment Development Plan?

Advocacy Reminders

• DTA is required by law to provide appropriate services for people with disabilities. Contact your local legal services program, Appendix D: Massachusetts Legal Services Offices, if you need special training, education, or employment services because you have a physical or mental disability, including a learning disability. See links below
  • What if a disability makes it hard for you to meet DTA rules or use DTA services?
  • How do you ask DTA for an accommodation?
  • What are your rights if DTA denies your reasonable accommodation request?
  • Should you ask DTA to screen you for a learning disability?

• You can arrange your own community service placement, but DTA reserves the right to disapprove the site you arrange. Under the law, any nonprofit organization may be a community service site, so DTA disapproval may not be legal.