Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Program (WIPA)
A program for people receiving SSI or SSDI who are returning to work.
This project is for people with disabilites who receive either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or both. By understanding the Work Incentives programs of Social Security, you may be able to go back to work and protect your benefits. There is a possibility that you may no longer need to rely on Social Security to live independently. If you are already working, you may be able to earn more money and still keep your benefits.
A Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) who is a trained and certified Social Security Benefits Counselor will sit with you and gather information that can help you know what your options are for working. The counselor will help you to understand any risk involved and let you decide what you want to do. The counselor will ask about your work history, disability and other related information.
Social Security has "Work Incentives" that may let you keep Medicaid and Medicare benefits while you work. The Benefits Counselor will explain how you can do this.
For more information see the website or contact Disability Network's Benefits Counselor, Pete Mulder pmulder@drccil.org at (269) 345-1516 Ext. 29 or toll-free 1-800-394-7450 Ext. 29.