About us:
National research has consistently demonstrated that many SSA disability beneficiaries hesitate to participate in return to work efforts due to fear that paid employment will cause a loss of critical cash benefits and health insurance. Work incentives planning and assistance services provide the single most effective method for communicating correct information to help beneficiaries overcome these fears. To provide effective counseling, WIPA Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) acquire and maintain a complete understanding of SSA disability programs and other Federal public benefits, their various eligibility requirements, their operational details, and all associated work incentive rules or provisions.
The primary objective of the national WIPA program is to assist SSA beneficiaries to transition from dependence on public benefits to paid employment and greater economic self-sufficiency. The WIPA initiative requires CWICs to serve as an integral part of the vocational services system in their local communities. To actively promote employment outcomes, CWICs possess a solid understanding not only of how paid work affects the disability benefits, but also SSA’s Ticket to Work program and the full array of vocational services available to individuals with disabilities. Using this knowledge, CWICs work directly with beneficiaries to connect them with the specific services and supports needed to obtain and maintain paid employment. WIPA services are not provided in isolation, but rather in combination with vocational counseling, job search assistance, job accommodations and numerous other employment-focused services and supports. It is only through inter-agency collaboration that significant gains are made.
In keeping with the primary objective of the program, the benefits counseling services available from WIPA projects are focused exclusively on work or work-related issues. CWICs conduct outreach and network with community partners on an on-going basis to:
- Build and maintain relationships with community partners involved in beneficiary vocational success;
- Educate organizations and individuals about the purpose of WIPA services, and the supports and work incentives that exist to help beneficiaries be successful returning to work; and,
- identify and encourage beneficiaries eligible for services to take advantage of the opportunity for greater economic self-sufficiency that work presents.
The highest priority individuals for WIPA services are individuals who are working, about to work, or seriously seeking employment. Beneficiaries who are just starting to think about work also need accurate information about work incentives and the effect that working will have on public benefits. These individuals are also served by WIPA projects as time and limited resources permit.
Eligible beneficiaries can expect to receive the following services from WIPA projects, depending on their presenting needs and preferences:
- Analysis of current benefit status, verification of all benefits received and identification of other available benefits the individual might need;
- Assistance with identifying, selecting and/or clarifying career goals as well as assistance with determining what specific services, supports or accommodations may be necessary to achieve the desired career goal;
- Explanation of SSA’s Ticket-to-Work program and the full array of vocational services and supports available to individuals with disabilities in the local WIPA service area, as well as referrals to these services when the beneficiary wishes;
- Thorough explanation of how paid employment will affect all public benefits received;
- Individualized work incentives planning and assistance designed to promote achievement of employment and other transition goals;
- Counseling on wage reporting requirements for SSA benefits and other benefits and supports;
- Counseling on available health insurance options and advisement on how health insurance is affected by paid employment;
- Proactive follow-up services to insure that work incentives are properly applied or to resolve problems related to employment and benefits;
- Long-term work incentives management provided on a scheduled, continuous basis, as needed to support employment efforts;
- Assistance to resolve problems related to work efforts, higher education, occupational skills training and work attainment or continuation of work.
CWICs deliver planning, advisement and support services in highly sensitive areas related to beneficiary finances and health care coverage on a daily basis. Since the potential risks to beneficiaries are high if inadequate or poor quality services are provided, WIPA projects are required to implement rigorous quality assurance procedures. They are also required to undergo extensive training and certification. In addition, WIPA staff must have an initial security clearance prior to working with any beneficiaries or having access to beneficiary information.
WIPA Services Process:
Once a beneficiary contacts a WIPA project and basic eligibility for services is established, the following process begins:
The beneficiary talks with a Community Work Incentives Coordinator about their current income and benefits situation, their employment plans or goals, and any presenting issues they may have related to their benefits and employment. The CWIC will share basic work incentives information with the beneficiary, as well as appropriate referrals for services. Also during the initial contacts, the CWIC collects signed releases that permit them to verify the benefits that the individual indicated they receive.
Subsequent to this meeting, or series of initial meetings, the CWIC will analyze the beneficiary’s situation in light of the person’s stated needs and work goals. The benefits analysis includes consideration of other possible supports that may assist the beneficiary in the back-to-work effort, including the potential use of all available work incentives, and addresses the impact that work will have on all benefits or supports the individual has. This analysis is delivered to the beneficiary either in face-to-face or phone meetings, as well as in writing.
Subsequent to completion of the initial analysis, the CWIC maintains periodic contact with the beneficiary as he or she reaches critical time points in the back-to-work process. This includes assisting the beneficiary to analyze the impact of future job opportunities, report wages to the appropriate agencies or organizations, manage work incentives, and find resources they need for other issues that arise that might derail the acquisition or retention of paid employment.
