The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 authorized Social Security to award grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to provide community-based Work Incentives expertise to beneficiaries of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on disability. We currently have 82 cooperative agreements throughout every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. You may find contact information for these projects on https://choosework.ssa.gov.
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
WIPA Services
The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program is to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to receive accurate information, and use that information to make a successful transition to work.
Each WIPA project has Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC) who will:
- provide in-depth counseling about benefits and the effect of work on those benefits
- conduct outreach efforts to beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in federal or state Work Incentives programs
- work in cooperation with federal, state and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve SSI and SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities.
How Does WIPA Work?
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and want to work (or, are already working), you can talk to a staff person certified to provide you with accurate and timely information about the impact of earnings on your SSI or SSDI cash and healthcare benefits.
We can also help you use important work incentives that allow you to keep your cash and healthcare benefits, at least temporarily, as you work toward earning more money through work!
How do I know if WIPA is right for me?
You’re a good fit for WIPA services if:
- You are currently eligible for SSI and/or SSDI benefits
- You are at least 14 years old and haven’t reached full retirement age
- You are working now or work is in your near future.
- WIPA services are voluntary and confidential!