Benefits Planning Assistance

Disability Rights Iowa provides benefits planning services as part of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program funded by the Social Security Administration. WIPA is a grant funded program sponsored by the Social Security Administration that provides work incentives planning, assistance, and outreach services to Social Security beneficiaries ages 14 – 65, who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who want to pursue gainful employment/self employment.

Plan for Your Future

Our dedicated Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) help you make informed decisions about your employment and create goals for your job and your future, while attempting to maintain your benefits and health care. Our goal is for individuals to experience a seamless transition into the workforce, greater independence, and the opportunity to pursue gainful employment.

For basic questions or guidance specific to your situation, please call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. For more targeted, comprehensive assistance, get in touch with your local CWIC to answer your questions about work incentives planning and the impact of earnings on other support programs, such as temporary assistance for needy families, food stamps, federal housing, unemployment insurance, and more. We are here to educate you about the SSI and SSDI work incentives that exist to support you in joining the workforce.

Wide angle view at diverse business team discussing project at table in modern office with focus on young woman in wheelchair sharing ideas in foreground.

Community Work Incentives Coordinators

Mistie Johnson, CWIC
Project Supervisor
Disability Rights IOWA
PO Box 219
Klemme, Iowa 50449
mjohnson@driowa.org
Phone: (515) 452-0740
Toll-Free: 800-779-2502
Fax: 641-587-2677

Tammy Crouch, CWIC
Disability Rights IOWA
PO Box 3653
Sioux City, Iowa 51102
tcrouch@driowa.org
Phone: 515-452-0759
Toll-Free: 800-779-2502
Fax: 712-560-4666

Jenny Lynes, CWIC
Disability Rights IOWA
PO Box 882
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
jlynes@driowa.org
Phone: 515-452-0748
Toll-Free: 800-779-2502
Fax: 319-349-3120

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.
For general questions, please send an email to mjohnson@driowa.org.

map of state of Iowa depicting counties and their respective Community Work Incentives Coordinators

map of state of Illinois depicting counties and their respective Community Work Incentives Coordinators

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