Providing information to people with disabilities about how earnings from work affect their Social Security and other public benefits. |
What is Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)?
WIPA is a step by step process to assist people with disabilities, receiving benefits from Social Security, with understanding how employment will affect their Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and other benefits they may receive. WIPA also helps beneficiaries to understand how they can increase their financial independence.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible to receive WIPA services you must be:
- receiving benefits from Social Security based on a disability (SSDI or SSI),
- at least 14 years old,
- not yet eligible to receive full retirement benefits,
- and working or have a job offer.
What can WIPA do for me?
You will work with a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), who will help you to understand, and plan for, the effect employment may have on your benefits, including:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cash benefits
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Other Health or Disability Insurance
- Unemployment Benefits
- Veterans Benefits
- Housing Subsidies
- Food Assistance
Your CWIC will assist you through the development of a Work Incentives Plan so that you can make the best use of the many options available to support your employment goals.
How can I learn more?
By Phone: For referral to WIPA services if you are working or have a job offer, or for general information,
you can contact the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842, or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
Online: You can find out more about work incentives, the WIPA program,
and explore additional resources at www.ssa.gov/work/.
Locally: You can contact the organization providing WIPA services in your county by clicking
on the county you live in here.