If you want to work or work more and recieve disability benefits, the path to indenedence may seem confusing or daunting. The WIPA project is here to assist you. Below are a variety of questions that come up when look at transitioning into work and answers to help clarify your rights as well as provide more infomation about the program.
Q: If I try to work, will automatically lose my benefits?
A: No.
Q: If I begin working, will I automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaide?
A: No.
Q: Who is elegible to receive WIPA Services?
A: Persons who are a least 14 years of age, fit Social Security's Administration's definition of "Disabled", and are receiving or are entitled to Social Security benefits based on having a disability (Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Social Security Childhood Disbility Benefits, or Social Security Disabled Widow(er)'s Benefits) are eligible.
Q: What is a CWIC?
A: Certified Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) are authorized by Social Security to provide Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services to promote employment & financial independence among Social Security disability beneficiaries.
Q: I would like to refer someone. Who can I refer?
A: If you have consumers who are working, are actively pursuing employment, are transitioning from high school into the community that have expressed an interest in working or financial independence, or are engaged in education/training programs that will be completed within a year, please refer them for the WIPA project.
Q: What is Project 20/20?
A: This is the name of the WIPA Program. it is call Project 20/20 because the goal of the program is to provide a clear view of the social security work incentives when a beneficiary goes to work.
Q: What happens when I contact a CWIC?
A: The CWIC will assist the beneficiary in identifying their employment and/or financial goals. Once they review all the benefits the beneficiary is receiving and verifies them, the CWIC will create a report called a Benefits Summary and Analysis. This in-depth report discusses what benefits the beneficiaries are receiving and why, what exactly their goals are, what exactly will happen to each benefit when they go to work, and for each benefit - what work incentives that may qualify to assist them in reach their goals.
Q: What organizations administer with WIPA Program?
A: Project 20/20 is administered by Walton Options for Independent Living in North Augusta. To assist delivery of this program, Walton Options has partnered with Able South Carolina, a sister Center for Independent Living in Columbia to cover the entire state of South Carolina.
Q: Which organization covers my county?
A: Coverage of the state is divided between Walton Options and Able South Carolina.
Able South Carolina serves Abbeville, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Marlboro, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York Counties.
Walton Options serves all other counties in South Carolina.
Q: I am ready to talk with someone about WIPA, who do I call?
A: There are three different ways you can get in touch with a CWIC:
1 - Call the Ticket to Work Help Line Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm on 1-866-968-7824 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
2 - Contact Walton Options Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 803-279-9611 (V/TTY) or 1-866-793-3407.
3 - Contact Able South Carolina Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 1-844-611-9822.
Q: I am not eligible for WIPA services or am not interested in working but have a benefit related question. Who should I call?
A: Please call the Ticket to work Helpline on 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) for all benefit related questions.
Working with a WIPA project is often a first step for beneficiaries who want to go to work.
The WIPA Project funded by a grant from the Social Security Administration for South Carolina is Walton Options (SC) WIPA Project 20/20 and is located at 514 West Ave North Augusta, SC 29841. 803-279-9611 V/TTY; 1-866-793-3407. The Lead CWIC for WIPA Project 20/20 is Robbie Breshears.
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