1. Illinois Assistive Technology Program
Ron Mulvaney. CWIC/ Program Director
Presentation:
Work Incentive Planning and Assistance

2. A little about the WIPA program
WIPA stands for the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program
The WIPA program is designed to help people receiving SSI, SSDI (DAC) , or both understand how earnings from employment will affect their Social Security Disability Work Incentives and other State and Federal benefits they may receive (Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP/Food stamps, Subsidized housing, Veterans Benefits……)
I am Certified through Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute as a Benefits Specialist.
Certified as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator through Virginia Commonwealth University.
Effective August 1, 2015, IATP-WIPA was awarded the whole state of Illinois minus the City of Chicago through an open competitive WIPA Grant.

3. Two SSA Disability Programs
SSI – Supplemental Security Income
- No work history or very little.
- Federal Benefit Rate $733 for 2015 (Couples $1100)
Title II (SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance, DAC – Disabled Adult Child, or DWB - Disabled Widow/er Beneficiary.
- A beneficiary draws benefits according to how much has been paid into FICA, credits accrued.

4. SSI General Income Exclusion ($20.00) Earned Income Exclusion ($65.00)
Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE)
Blind Work Expense
Every $2.00 of earnings, reduces your SSI check by $1.00.
Needs-based program with a $2000 asset Limit ($3000 couple).

5. Impairment Related Work Expense
Also known as an IRWE
Examples:
Co Pays for medication
Doctor office co pays
Hearing Aids
Assistive Technology
Specialized transportation
etc.
Related to your disability and needed in order to work.

6. Blind Work Expense Service animal expenses
Transportation to and from work
Federal, state, and local income taxes
Social Security taxes
Attendant Care services
Visual and sensory aids
Translation of material into Braille
Professional association fees and Union dues

7. Student Earned Income Exclusion
Under age 22
SSA will exclude up to $1780 for 2015 of earned income per month, up to an annual exclusion of $7180.
You must contact SSA to activate this work incentive

8. Medicaid Medicaid (apply separately at FCRC)
1619B – Keep your Medicaid even if your SSI check is reduced to $0.00 from Earned Income (Until $28,221 for 2015)
Contact SSA to activate this work incentive. SSA will release your eligibility to FCRC
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD) – Medicaid Buy-in program
Application directly to HBWD.

9. Plan for Achieve Self Support “PASS PLAN”
A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) allows an SSI Recipient to set aside income and/or resources for a specified time for a work goal.
For example, you could set aside money to pay expenses for education, vocational training, or starting a business as long as the expenses are related to achieving your work goal.
The money in your plan will not count as an asset for SSI and Medicaid eligibility.

10. SSDI/DAC/DWB (Title II)
Trial Work Period (TWP) (9 months within 5 years)
$780 (2015)
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) (36 consecutive months)
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) non-blind $1090 in 2015, $1820 Blind SGA for 2015.
Grace Period (3 months during or after EPE)
Expedited Reinstatement (within 5 years of case being closed)
Please Note: WIPA Helps them understand and plan according to their individual work activity.

11. Subsidy/Special Condition or IRWE
A Subsidy is a work incentive available to SSDI/DAC/DWB beneficiaries. A Subsidy is the value of additional support a person receives in order to be able to perform substantial work.
Examples: Job Coach, performing fewer duties that others doing the same work, taking extra rest periods, etc.
IRWE – Out of pocket expenses related to the disability and needed to work.
Please Note: A Subsidy/Special Condition or an IRWE can only be applied after the Ttial Work Period and then once working above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

12. Medicare Medicare Part A (Hospitalization Insurance) Free
Part B (Medical Insurance)
- $ (2015) deducted from SSDI check each month
Medicare Savings Programs(if limited income and assets)
QMB (pays premium and deductible)
SLIB (pays premium)
Part D (Medication)
Extra Help

13. Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD)
Also called Medicaid Buy-in.
Pay monthly premium each month for Medicaid Card (same Medicaid as through your local DHS Office (also known as Public Aid).
Apply through Springfield
(Website: )
Medicaid Spenddown verses monthly premium for HBWD.

14. HBWD continued $25,000 asset limit vs $2,000 for local Medicaid
Retirement Savings are exempt (IRA & 401K)
A home and one car exempt asset
Spouses income counts toward premium amount

15. HBWD continued 2015 Income Limits per month (net): 1 - $3,404
2 - $4,588
3 - $5,772
4 - $6,956

16. Subsidized Housing Disallowance of Earned Income Program
Months 1 through 12 increased income due to Earnings from Employment does not count toward Rent
Months 13 through 24; only 50% of increase in income due to Earnings from Employment count toward Rent calculation
Disallowance of Earned Income Program offers 4 years to complete this program
The clock begins the first month of calculation.
Other self-sufficiency programs through HUD.

17. SOCIAL SECURITY Ticket to Work
Social Security’s primary program that can help you find a job, is the Ticket to Work program. We’d like to discuss that program with you now.

18. What is a Ticket to Work?
A ticket you can use to get free employment services
Social Security established the Ticket to Work program in order to offer beneficiaries more choices when it comes to vocational rehabilitation, job preparation, and job placement services. By using your Ticket, your chances of getting the help you need increases.
You receive the paper ticket in the mail yet you do not need to have it in hand to take advantage of this program. If you have lost your ticket or are not sure of your eligibility, the handout we will give to you will have the phone number to call.

19. Why use your Ticket? No medical review while ticket is in use
The program is voluntary
You are in charge!
You select the Employment Network
Employment Network works for you
Change your Employment Network if necessary
Assigning a ticket improves your chances of finding employment, obtaining training, and other vocational services.
Medical reviews can cause your cash and medical benefits to stop; using your Ticket removes this risk.
You are not required to use your Ticket to Work.
Your disability benefits will not stop if you do not use your ticket. You will still be subject to periodic medical reviews of your disability if you have not assigned your ticket.
Employment networks have choices too – generally they seek someone with a commitment to going to work.

20. Resources Currently Available
Help Line: ( )
Maximus (Ticket Manager) Division of Rehabilitation Services or Employment Network. (same number)
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) Equip for Equality 800/ or
SSA Spotlight Website :
SSA Redbook online:

21. Contact Information
Ron Mulvaney,CWIC /Program Director
Phone: ( )
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704