The National Training and Data Center (NTDC) offers a free Introductory Web Course to provide a basic introduction to the Social Security disability benefit programs (SSI and SSDI) and their associated work incentives as an overview of work incentives planning. NTDC designed the course to meet the training needs of individuals who want a better understanding of Social Security disability benefits and the basics related to how work affects these benefits but do not require certification. 

Who can benefit from this training? 

The target audience for the Introductory Web Course includes several distinct groups, all of whom play an important role in supporting beneficiaries who wish to pursue employment:

• Community partners who provide employment services including staff of Employment Networks, Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, American Job Centers, and other employment service providers;
• Agency staff who have regular contact with beneficiaries while encouraging work and financial stability planning and outcomes, including staff from state and local Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities agencies, Mental Health and Substance Abuse agencies, Centers for Independent Living, State Protection and Advocacy, Public School systems, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among others;
• Community partners who want to pursue the Community Partner Initial Training and Certification;
• Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project staff that do not require certification, including administrative or other staff; and
• WIPA project staff that plan to pursue Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) certification, and would like to attend the initial training with a basic knowledge of work incentive planning, and of their job requirements.

This two-week course consists of six (6) one-hour lessons. Each lesson includes a recorded video lecture with slides, supplemental readings, and resource tools, as well as interactive activities and knowledge checks. The course is self-directed and self-paced, but you must complete all required coursework by the last day of the course.

Participants who successfully complete all the course requirements will receive a certificate of completion. 

How to Register through myNTC: 

myNTC is an account portal located on the VCU National Training and Data Center (NTDC) website that stores your name, contact and training participation information. You may use your myNTC account to register for NTDC trainings and track your participation history. You must have a myNTC account to register for any of the training sessions we offer.

How to Create a myNTC Account

Please follow the instructions below for creating a myNTC account:

• Use the Not yet a member? Create an account link on the VCU NTDC website at https://vcu-ntdc.org/myntc/index.cfm.
• Complete the myNTC membership request form:
  • If you are not affiliated with an agency, enter “n/a” in the “Agency” field.
  • In the “Role” field, select the “Community Partner Staff” option unless you work for one of the Social Security-funded Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects.
  • In the “Community partner type” field, If you are not affiliated with an agency, select “Community partner – other” and enter “n/a” in the specify text box.
• When finished, click the “Create myNTC account” button.
• We will send you an automated email message with your myNTC login information

How to Log into myNTC

Once you receive your myNTC login information by email, use the instructions below for logging into your account:

• Use the Already a member? Log in link on the VCU NTDC website at https://vcu-ntdc.org/myntc/index.cfm.
• Enter your username and password.
• Click on the “Log in” button. 

How to Register for an Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs Web Course (Introductory Web Course) Session

Once you log into your myNTC account, you may register for our trainings.  Please use the instructions below to register for an Introductory Web Course session:

• Click on the “Training Registrations” icon on your myNTC Welcome page/dashboard.
• Select the “Introductory Web Course Trainings” tab (it will be the first tab from the left).
• Click the “Register online” link for the training session in which you would like to participate.
  • If the “Register online” link is inactive, registration may not yet be open.  Check the date registration opens, posted near the “Register online link.”
• Click the “Register Here” button.
• Review your contact information and make updates if necessary, and click the “Update and Continue Registration” button.
• Enter any accommodations you may have (we use the Canvas platform for our web courses), and click the “Register” button.
• We will send you an automated email confirming your registration.

To view more information and register for upcoming courses, please visit the Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs web course calendar.