Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Program

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  3. Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Program
Rear view of a person working with a computer keyboard and braille display as a technology assistive device for people with visual impairment.

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program is a free service that helps Social Security beneficiaries who receive benefits based on a disability to make informed choices about working with benefits.

The WIPA Program, coordinated by the Sherlock Center in Rhode Island and Connecticut, offers free work incentives counseling to eligible individuals. Benefits counseling services are based on your benefits, earnings and/or goals.

How can I access services?

  • Call the Ticket to Work Help Line, if you meet at least one of these criteria.
    1. You are employed.
    2. You have a job offer.
    3. You are 14 to 17 years of age and thinking about working.

Ticket to Work Help Line

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET

Phone: 1-866-968-7842

TTY: 1-866-833-2967

  • Call the Sherlock Center at 401-456-8072,  if you are 18 years of age to full retirement age, and you are thinking about working or actively looking for a job.

Who is eligible for WIPA?

To be eligible to receive WIPA services you must meet the following requirements:

  • Receive Social Security SSDI and/or SSI benefits, even if your SSI/SSDI cash benefits were suspended because you were above wage guidelines
  • Be at least 14 years old.
  • Not be eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits.
  • Be employed, self-employed, looking for work or thinking about working.

How can WIPA help me?

A Certified Work Incentives Benefits Counselor (CWIC) can work with you to:

  • Plan for changes in your benefits based on money you earn.
  • Identify work incentives that apply to you.
  • Help you to develop a plan to make the most of your work incentives.
  • Refer you to programs that can help you reach your employment goals, e.g. training or services.

What is the Ticket to Work Help Line?

There are many benefits to being employed and much false information about how working may affect your Social Security benefits. You can get the facts by calling the Ticket to Work Help Line. The Help Line can confirm if you receive SSI and/or SSDI, give you general work incentive information and referral you to the WIPA program if needed.
 

“This is an amazing program that will guide you through working while receiving benefits from Social Security. I consider the program necessary for me to understand and navigate through the system. My counselor is incredibly helpful.” – Beneficiary

WIPA funding
WIPA services are funded through the Social Security Administration, grant number WIP21050500. The information provided on this webpage does not constitute an official Social Security communication and was developed at taxpayer expense.