Alliance Professional Services - an Employment Network

10/16/2026

"Understanding Workplace Accommodations: Practical Strategies for Requesting and Responding", Thursday! October 22 | 2–3 p.m. ET

The Job Accommodation Network’s (JAN) upcoming webcast will feature EARN for a discussion on practical strategies for navigating workplace accommodations. Explore key steps in the accommodation process and learn tools, resources, and strategies to make accommodation conversations more productive and the process easier to navigate.
Link here for more information: https://askjan.org/events/index.cfm?calview=eventdetails&dtid=7A714FA3-CA3F-A923-F37966D13201AC16

JAN Monthly Events

10/15/2026

SOCIAL SECURITY COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR 2027
To help people keep up with the changing cost of living, Social Security beneficiaries often receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Each year, Social Security bases the COLA on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
For 2027, Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will increase by 3.6%. This means that 76 million Americans will see a change in their benefit payments.

If you have a mySSA account you can check there to see what your change will be.
mySSA accounts are secure ways to verify and manage your benefits. If you don't have an account, you can sign up for one today. Once you log in to your account, you can manage your notification preferences under "Message Center Preferences" to start receiving courtesy messages either in your email or as a text message. Check out this link for more information: https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2026-10-15-update-2027-cost-of-living-adjustment

10/08/2026

INFORMATION ON UPCOMING JOB FAIRS!
Job fairs are one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — ways to meet real employers, uncover new opportunities, and make a lasting impression beyond an online application. Whether you’re searching for your very first role or looking to make a bold career move, the right job fair can open doors you didn’t even realize were there.
Social Security's Ticket to Work Program supports people ages 18 through 64 who receive SSDI or SSI at every stage of their path to work. Even if you find a job on your own, the Ticket Program can still help you build your skills and confidence. . They’re also ready to help you make the most of new opportunities, including job fairs happening in your area.

Follow this link for more information on upcoming job fairs:

Job fairs give you the chance to engage with potential employers and learn about job openings, even from the comfort of your own home. Jumpstart your career and make progress toward reaching your work goals by attending a virtual or in person career fair this October.

10/06/2026

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS - HOW TO AVOID THEM:
If someone contacts you unexpectedly and...
• Pretends to work for SSA, or another well-known agency, business, or organization
• Says there's a problem
• Pressures you for immediate payment or personal information
• Tells you to pay in a specific way
It's a scam. Period.
What SSA Will NEVER DO:
Threaten you with arrest or legal action unless you immediately pay
*Demand unusual forms of payment like gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, gold, cryptocurrency, cash, or payment apps
*Tell you to move your money to protect it
*Demand secrecy or tell you not to discuss the call or message with anyone
Link here for more information:

Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams

09/24/2026

How to Get Started with Ticket to Work in 3 Simple Steps
Thinking about working but not sure where to start? Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program connects you with free employment support to help you explore work, prepare for a job, find work, or succeed at a job you already have. Our new blog breaks down how to get started with Ticket to Work in 3 simple steps. Link here for more information:

If you receive Social Security disability benefits and are ages 18 through 64, you may be eligible to participate in the Ticket Program. The Ticket Program connects you with free employment support to help you explore work, prepare for a job, find work, or succeed at a job you already have. Here are...

09/22/2026

09/17/2026

Join the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) on September 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, for “Substance Use Disorder at Work: Building Recovery-Friendly and Safety-Ready Workplaces,” a free webinar in recognition of National Recovery Month.
Substance use disorder (SUD) touches workplaces in every industry and can affect attendance, performance, retention, and employee well-being. Proactive, supportive approaches can make a real difference, particularly in physically demanding or safety-sensitive industries such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and service occupations.

Register here:

Learn how employers can respond to substance use disorder in a way that improves workplace safety and supports employee recovery.

09/15/2026

Not Sure You’re Ready to Work? Ask Yourself These 7 QuestionsDeciding whether to begin work or return to work is a personal choice. If you're receiving Social Security disability benefits, you may have questions about your health, your finances, or whether you're ready to make a change.

The good news is that you don't have to have everything figured out before you begin exploring your options. Sometimes, asking yourself a few thoughtful questions can help you decide what the right next step looks like.
To find out more click here:

Deciding whether to start work or return to work is a personal choice. If you receive Social Security disability benefits, you may have questions about your health, your finances, or whether you're ready to make a change. Ask yourself these 7 questions to help you determine if working is right for y...

08/18/2026

Strengthening the Tech Workforce Through Apprenticeships, Skills-Based Hiring, and Disability Employment: August 19, 2026, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Free webinar from the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability

Join EARN and representatives from Apprenti for a free webinar examining how employers are expanding access to tech careers and preparing disabled workers for success. Speakers will share insights from the IT sector, discuss innovative training and career-entry models, and highlight practical examples of how organizations are creating pathways into high-demand occupations.

Register for EARN webinar here:

Explore how employers are expanding access to tech careers and preparing disabled workers for success.

08/11/2026

Join the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) and representatives from Apprenti on 8/19/26, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, for “Strengthening the Tech Workforce Through Apprenticeships, Skills-Based Hiring, and Disability Employment," a free webinar exploring how employers can build stronger and more accessible technology talent pipelines. As part of EARN's Industry Spotlight webinar series, this session will examine how employers are expanding access to tech careers and preparing disabled workers for success.
Topics include:
• Current workforce trends in the IT industry, including the role of AI
• Examples of apprenticeship and work-based learning models in the tech sector
• Approaches for identifying talent based on skills and capabilities
• Practical ways for creating accessibility for workers with disabilities
• Resources that support employee growth and long-term career success
Regisetr link here:

Explore how employers are expanding access to tech careers and preparing disabled workers for success.