Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) Projects
ABOUT WORK INCENTIVES
WIPA projects are organizations within your community that provide free benefits counseling to Social Security disability beneficiaries to help them make informed choices about work. WIPA projects offer a range of services to help you understand your options if you choose to pursue work. WIPAs are staffed by Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) who provide in-depth counseling about working, earning more money, and how working may affect your benefits.
Working with a WIPA can help you:
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Understand the rules of specific Work Incentives and how they apply to you
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Decide whether the Ticket to Work program is right for you
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Understand the potential benefits of employment as a person who receives disability benefits from Social Security while dispelling the myths about working
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Analyze how work and earnings may impact your Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), health care, and other public benefits
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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
Work Incentives make it easier for people with disabilities to work and still receive medical benefits and, in some cases, cash benefits from Social Security. Work Incentives can help you through the transition to work and financial independence.
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Employment Networks (EN) are private or public organizations that can help with career counseling and assistance with job placement, including helping you understand how benefits may be affected by work. This includes ENs that are also part of a state's public workforce system (also referred to as Workforce EN
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Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects are organizations within your community that are authorized by Social Security to provide free benefits counseling to Social Security disability beneficiaries to help you make informed choices about work.
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Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organizations represent eligible beneficiaries to remove barriers to successful employment and will help you understand your rights regarding conditions of employment.
Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) Inquiries
If you have questions about a WISE webinar you may call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or email support@choosework.ssa.gov.