Benefits Planning Assistance
Disability Rights Iowa (DRI) provides benefits planning through the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project. WIPA is a grant-funded program sponsored by the Social Security Administration (SSA). DRI WIPA provides individualized benefits planning to beneficiaries who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSDI-related Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a state SSI payment, or SSI-related Medicaid based on disability and:
- Are working,
- Have a job offer pending,
- Are actively interviewing for jobs,
- Had an interview in the past 30 days,
- Have a job interview scheduled in the next 2 weeks,
- Are a veteran, OR
- Are age 14-25 (even if not actively pursuing work).
The program aims to improve employment outcomes and increase economic self-sufficiency for Social Security disability beneficiaries through their understanding of how employment can be an option for them.
Plan for Your Future
Our dedicated Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) help you make informed decisions about your employment and navigate the various work incentives available to you. Our goal is for individuals to experience a seamless transition into the workforce, greater independence, and the opportunity to pursue gainful employment that meets their needs and interests. The DRI WIPA team can provide the following support for disability beneficiaries:
- Understand the rules of specific work incentives and how they apply,
- Decide whether the Ticket to Work Program is right for the employment goals,
- Understand the potential benefits of employment as a person who receives disability benefits from Social Security and dispel the myths about working,
- Analyze how work and earnings may impact SSI, SSDI, healthcare, and other public benefits, and
- Understand the services provided by a State Vocational Rehabilitation agency or an Employment Network and how they might best fit the beneficiary’s needs.
Once they begin working, WIPA projects can also provide information and support to help beneficiaries make a successful transition to work and financial independence.
Beneficiaries in Iowa or northwest Illinois interested in getting connected with DRI’s WIPA program should contact the Ticket to Work (TTW) Help Line at (866) 968-7842 (Voice) / (866) 833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. TTW representatives provide general information about how work affects Social Security benefits, evaluate an individual’s eligibility for WIPA services, and provide a direct referral to DRI WIPA staff.
Community Work Incentives Coordinators
Mistie Johnson, CWIC
Tammy Crouch, CWIC
Jenny Lynes, CWIC
Coordinators serve all of Iowa and are now serving the northwest counties in Illinois outlined with a thick line. These are the counties closest to Iowa on the images below.
Ticket to Work helpline:
Voice: 1-866-968-7842
TTY: 1-866-833-2967
WIPA is authorized in 42 USC §1320b-21, P.L. 106-170
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
Pub. L. 108-203
Social Security Protection Act of 2004
WIPA is administered and regulated by:
Social Security Administration
Office of Acquisition and Grants
7111 Security Blvd., 1st Floor Rear Entrance
Baltimore, MD 21244
Telephone: 410-965-9469 / Fax: 410-966-9310
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