Benefits – 25-04

Ticket to work and WIPA what that means?

Many working aged individuals with disabilities (ages 18-64) are not working. The reasons vary, but for some it’s a fear of “If I start working, will my benefits be taken away from me?” The truth is: No. People with disabilities can work without losing their financial security or health care benefits. There are many programs available that make it possible to still collect benefits while working. Here is a brief overview of a few programs available.

Ticket to Work

Ticket to Work is a program that assists individuals, ages 18 to 64, currently receiving Social Security disability benefits who want to work. Through Ticket to Work, people can receive assistance with finding employment, getting job training, and receiving other support services. Through the Ticket to Work program, individuals are referred to an Employment Network or Vocational Rehabilitation agency, which are agencies that will accept the “ticket” and assist the person with the job search and training.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance? What WIPA can do for you?

WIPA projects are community-based organizations that receive grants from SSA to provide all Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries (including transition-to-work aged youth) with free access to work incentives planning and assistance. Each WIPA project has counselors called Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC) who:

Provide work incentives planning and assistance to our beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in achieving financial independence;

Conduct outreach efforts to those beneficiaries (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or state employment support programs; and

Work in cooperation with Federal, state, private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities.

The goal of the program is to teach about the work incentives from SSA, enhance self-sufficiency, ensure informed choices, and get rid of fear.

Working with a WIPA can help you:

· Understand the rules of specific Work Incentives and how they apply to you/benefit analysis and advisement.

· Decide whether the Ticket to Work program is right for you

· Understand the potential benefits of employment as a person who receives disability benefits from Social Security while dispelling the myths about working

· Analyze how work and earnings may impact your Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), health care, and other public benefits

· Understand the services provided by a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency or an Employment Network (EN), and how they might fit best with your needs

· Problem solving and advocacy

· Benefits support and planning/benefits management

· Information and referral

Once you begin working, WIPA projects can also provide information and support to help you make a successful transition to work and financial independence. Working with a WIPA project is often a first step for beneficiaries who want to go to work.

WIPA project from South Florida is serving SSA beneficiaries from Broward, Miami Dade, Monroe, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties.

Contact your local WIPA project at the CIL of the Keys 305 453 3491