E-university - Introduction

Welcome to … Introduction to Work Incentives: 

By: Granite State Independent Living’s (GSIL) Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program In coordination with Greater Nashua Mental Health Center (GNMHC) 1 Welcome to … Introduction to Work Incentives

What is the WIPA program? : 

What is the WIPA program? 2 WIPA is the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program that helps recipients (beneficiaries) of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State benefits (Food Stamps, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, etc.) know what will happen to their benefits when they go to work or continue to work. Many people are concerned that when they go to work they will lose their cash and medical benefits – WIPA is here to tell you that is not always the case.

Who are the WIPA program team?: 

Who are the WIPA program team? 3 The WIPA program team are Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) who are trained in Federal and State disability benefits

Where Do You Find Work Incentives Specialists (Benefit Specialists)?: 

Where Do You Find Work Incentives Specialists (Benefit Specialists)? 4 Not only do you have CWICs within the WIPA program but you can also find trained Work Incentive Specialists (Benefit Specialists) within your local Mental Health and Area Agencies

What are work incentives?: 

What are work incentives? 5 Work incentives are defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as: “Special rules that make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security calls these rules "work incentives.“” Basically, this means that they can’t take your cash and medical away JUST because you went back to work, there are many things Social Security takes into consideration.

Differences between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): 

Differences between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 6 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Can receive it if: you have enough work history if a parent is retired, disabled, or deceased (known as Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB)) and they had a work history if you are a Disabled Widow( er ) (DWB) and your (ex)spouse had a work history Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Can receive if you have little to no work history

SSDI and SSI: 

SSDI and SSI 7 If you are not sure what one you receive here are some questions you could ask yourself: Do I receive 1 check or 2 ? (If you receive 2 checks you have both benefits) How much do I receive? If you receive $674 then you probably have SSI If you are working and the amount changes then you have SSI If you receive more than $674 and it does not change month to month with earnings then you probably have SSDI Do you have Medicare? (If so then you have a form of SSDI) If you are really not sure you can contact your case manager or Work Incentive Counselor and they can help you figure it out

The Next Topic is on…: 

The Next Topic is on… 8 Please go to the next module for SSDI and Medicare eligibility information