Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Projects:
Helping People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits Make Informed Choices About Work!

The disability program rules about work are complicated and can sometimes be confusing. Do you know about and understand the SSA “Work Incentives?” “Work Incentives” are SSA rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving disability benefits to explore work options and still receive benefits until they reach their work goals.

If you don’t understand them, even after checking out our Work Incentives web page, don’t worry. Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects are available to help you figure it all out.

The goal of the WIPA program is to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to understand their options in pursuing work and to be successful in their effort to return to work and improve their economic wellbeing and quality of life. WIPA projects are staffed by Community Work Incentive Specialists, experts in disability and work, who can tell you exactly how work and earnings will affect your benefits and explain how the SSA Work Incentives, including the Ticket program, apply to you. 

Each WIPA can provide information regarding:

• SSA Work Incentives through:
  • Planning and assistance services provided directly to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities regarding SSA Work Incentives, program rules designed to assist beneficiaries in their employment efforts;
  • Completing a detailed analysis of how work and earnings would impact an individual’s benefits – including not only Social Security benefits, but also state, local, and health benefits.

• The Ticket program, including:
  • Deciding whether or when to assign an individual’s Ticket to an Employment Network (EN);
  • Providing a referral for a beneficiary to an appropriate EN or State Vocational Rehabilitation agency based on the beneficiary's expressed needs and type of impairments.  

• Health Benefits by:
  • Providing general information about potential employer-based health benefits coverage available to beneficiaries once they enter the workforce;
  • Discussing the impact of work and earnings on the individual’s eligibility for state and Federally subsidized medical programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.

To talk to a Community Work Incentive Coordinator about your specific situation, contact the WIPA project nearest you.

Rather learn more about Work Incentives by attending a Work Incentives Seminar Event? Find a local upcoming WISE event.

Want to do more reading on your own? Check out the Social Security Red Book.