Work Incentive Planning Assistance Program (WIPA) - Expanding its Efforts to Reach Pa's Youth
Work Incentive Planning Assistance Program (WIPA) - Expanding its Efforts to Reach Pa's Youth
Dear Associate:
The Work Incentive Planning Assistance Program (WIPA) is designed for SSA beneficiaries, ages 14-64, who are currently working or are making plans for employment in the near future. The prime sponsor for WIPA continues to be SSA, and agencies provide certified Community Work Incentive Coordinators under a cooperative agreement. The WIPA model includes getting a full picture of the individual's government benefits. Oftentimes, beneficiaries will get partial information or facts which are not relevant to their specific set of benefits or work goals. Frequently we are contacted by beneficiaries who simply ask: "How much money am I allowed to make?" This is the wrong question and we would rather not answer it.
Benefits can often be a complicated maze when one introduces earned income into the mix. The person might experience an increase of earned income and a corresponding decrease in a Medicare subsidy. The person's cash benefits might be suspended or incrementally reduced, depending on the type of benefit and/or recent work history. These are examples as to why we don't answer this question, but rather use it as an opportunity to reframe the perspective for the person asking the question. Certainly age, education, training, and numerous other factors will influence each person's decision-making. In 2009, the federal benefit rate for SSI is $674, annualized to $8,088, whereas the average benefit for SSDI will be $1,064, annualized to $12,768. While these cash benefits are essential for individuals with disabilities who can not work, I am amazed at how often our service system encourages individuals, including young adults, to be wary of work and/or making too much money.
Work is a fundamental way of fully participating in the community. There are often overlooked benefits from working beyond a paycheck. Working individuals will qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and can receive these funds in regular advanced installments in their paycheck. I know of a person who worked her way off of SSDI by making 2 times more through employment, and was able to receive enough in EITC as well as food stamps -- which essentially replaced her monthly SSDI. In PA, individuals can qualify for Medical Assistance for Workers With Disabilities which provides low cost health insurance and also allows participants to have savings up to $10,000, significantly above the SSI savings limit. Historically, we have indiscriminately encouraged SSI beneficiaries to dump their assets. The message begins at age 18 for young adults with disabilities: don't save money, ever!
WIPA services have been well received by beneficiaries and community organizations. Unfortunately, the exceptional demand for the WIPA service has limited the capacity to reach young adults. A recent review of SSA data indicates that as of December 2007, there was 1 person younger than 18 using the PASS...in the entire country. The PASS is an exceptional savings vehicle for school and vocational needs and should be aggressively promoted to families of young adults. Last year, AHEDD served nearly twice as many beneficiaries older than 52 than persons younger than 22. We just need to do a better job at reaching youth with WIPA services.
With foundation grants from the FISA Foundation, Pittsburgh, and The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, AHEDD has expanded and intensified efforts to serve young adults. We can provide individualized counseling to young adults and their parents. Even among parents who serve as representative payees, many have no idea about work incentives. We can provide small group sessions or even classroom modules. There is a team of Coordinators statewide available through AHEDD, Goodwill and Disability Rights Network (click here). We encourage you to share information about the WIPA to families and young adults.
Thank you and please forward this notice to interested parties.
John J. Miller
WIPA Project Director
AHEDD
Camp Hill, PA
(717) 763-0968 ext 118
[email protected]