Why WIPA matters now
Getting a job shouldn’t mean guessing what happens to your SSI/SSDI cash, Medicare/Medicaid, SNAP, housing, or student status. WIPA gives you a trained expert—a CWIC—who looks at your exact benefits, verifies them, and maps how different wages or hours will affect them, step by step. And for disability beneficiaries, it’s free. (Social Security, Choose Work!)
What is WIPA?
Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) is a national network of community-based projects funded by Social Security. Since July 1, 2021, SSA has funded 74 WIPA agencies that cover every state, D.C., and U.S. territories. Their staff (CWICs) specialize in work incentives and benefits planning for people who receive SSDI or SSI based on disability. (Social Security)
Core goals of WIPA:
- Verify your current benefits and health coverage status.
- Explain how work incentives apply to you (e.g., Trial Work Period, EPE, EXR, 1619(b), IRWE/BWE, PASS).
- Create an individualized benefits plan you can actually use—before accepting a job or changing hours. (Choose Work!, Social Security)
Who should know about WIPA? (Audience-by-audience guide)
- SSI/SSDI beneficiaries who are working or about to start
WIPA prioritizes people who are already working or about to begin work, because timely planning can prevent overpayments and gaps in coverage. (Social Security) - Transition-age youth (14–25)
Beginning at age 14, WIPA projects provide benefits counseling to help youth understand how earnings affect SSI and other supports—even if they’re just considering work. If you’re 14–25, you can access WIPA even without a pending job. (Social Security, Choose Work!) - Veterans who receive SSI/SSDI
Veterans are specifically recognized in WIPA referral priorities; a CWIC can coordinate around VA benefits, SSDI/SSI, and employment goals. (Choose Work!) - Parents/caregivers of students with disabilities
If a teen gets SSI, a CWIC can explain Student Earned Income Exclusion, how summer/part-time earnings affect SSI, and steps to avoid overpayments. (Social Security) - College students & young adults
Planning internships, co-ops, or part-time work? WIPA can show how different wage levels interact with SSI/SSDI, Medicaid/Medicare, and school schedules. (Choose Work!) - People considering self-employment or gig work
Self-employment changes how SSA counts income and expenses. A CWIC can account for net earnings, business deductions, and how they affect milestones like the Trial Work Period or SGA. (Social Security) - Individuals who received an overpayment letter
A CWIC can help you understand where the issue started (reporting/timing/rules), what appeal or waiver options exist, and how to avoid future problems. (Social Security) - VR counselors, EN staff, school transition teams & case managers
Frontline professionals should know when to pull in WIPA so the employment plan and the benefits plan align—especially when hours, pay, or coverage are changing. (Choose Work!)
What exactly does a CWIC do?
CWICs are trained benefits planners who provide individualized, in-depth counseling about how working and earning more affects Social Security benefits, health care, and other public benefits. Many projects produce a written Benefits Summary & Analysis (BSA) you can follow with your employer or job coach. (Choose Work!, Cloudinary)
Typical CWIC services:
- Benefits verification (they confirm the benefits you actually receive so the advice is accurate). (Social Security)
- Scenario modeling for different wage/hours options. (Choose Work!)
- Work incentives planning (TWP, EPE, EXR for SSDI; IRWE, BWE & 1619(b) for SSI; PASS when appropriate). (Social Security, Choose Work!)
- Reporting guidance (who to call, when to submit paystubs, what to keep). (Social Security)
- Overpayment prevention & problem-solving with practical timelines. (Social Security)
Cost: WIPA services are free for Social Security disability beneficiaries. (Choose Work!)
WIPA eligibility & priorities (2025 quick check)
You can be referred to a WIPA if you receive SSI/SSDI due to disability and you:
- Are working, have a job offer, or are actively interviewing (including recent/scheduled interviews), or
- Are age 14–25, even if you’re not yet pursuing work, or
- Are a veteran. (Choose Work!)
WIPA projects prioritize people who are working or about to start work, so call as early as you can when a change is coming. (Social Security)
Not a fit: People on Social Security retirement (full retirement age+) are outside WIPA’s target group for disability work incentives. (Ticket to Work is for ages 18–64; WIPA youth services start at 14.) (Social Security)
2025 cheat sheet: key work incentive numbers
Always confirm with a CWIC, because your program, age, blindness status, and state rules change how these apply.
| Item | 2025 Amount | Notes |
| Trial Work Period (TWP) earnings trigger | $1,160/month | SSDI only; counts a TWP month if gross earnings exceed this amount. (Social Security) |
| SGA (non-blind) | $1,620/month | Used to decide SSDI cash eligibility after TWP/EPE. Not used for SSI eligibility calculations. (Social Security) |
| SGA (statutorily blind) | $2,700/month | SSDI only; different rule for blind beneficiaries. (Social Security) |
| SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) | $967 (individual) / $1,450 (couple) | Federal base; states may supplement. (Social Security) |
| SSI 1619(b) | Varies by state | Lets many SSI recipients keep Medicaid while working above the break-even point if other criteria are met. (Social Security) |
| IRWE | — | Out-of-pocket disability-related work expenses can reduce countable income. (Choose Work!) |
| Blind Work Expenses (BWE) | — | For SSI based on blindness, any reasonable work expense (including taxes) can be excluded. (Social Security) |
WIPA vs. other employment supports (who does what?)
| Program | Best for | What they do | How WIPA fits |
| WIPA | SSI/SSDI beneficiaries needing benefits counseling | Verifies benefits; explains work incentives; models wages/hours; helps prevent overpayments. Free. | Start here for benefits impact clarity; pairs with EN/VR. (Choose Work!, Social Security) |
| Employment Network (EN) | Job placement & ongoing support under Ticket to Work | Coaching, job search, placement, retention. | CWIC shows how a job via EN affects benefits. (Choose Work!) |
| Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) | Training, education, rehab services | Intensive pre-employment services, training, assistive tech. | CWIC aligns VR plan with benefits plan. (Choose Work!) |
| PABSS | Legal issues, rights, barriers at work | Advocacy and sometimes free legal services. | CWIC can refer when rights/appeals are involved. (Social Security Law Group) |
When should you call WIPA? (A simple timeline)
- Thinking about work (or changing hours): get a scenario plan. (Choose Work!)
- Before accepting an offer: see how the wage affects SSDI/SSI and health coverage; discuss reporting steps to avoid overpayments. (Social Security)
- Starting self-employment/gig work: learn how SSA treats net earnings, quarters of coverage, and business deductions. (Social Security)
- After an overpayment letter: understand what happened and next steps. (Social Security)
- Youth (14–25): get early coaching on summer jobs, SEIE, and school-to-work transitions. (Social Security)
How to find WIPA today (2 fast options)
- Use SSA’s “Find Help” tool (filter for Benefits Counseling (WIPA)) to see projects serving your ZIP code (in-person or virtual). (Choose Work!)
- Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 or TTY 1-866-833-2967, Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. Ask for a WIPA referral. (Choose Work!)
Myths & facts (quick clarity)
- “If I work at all, I’ll lose everything.”
False. Work incentives protect eligibility during trial periods and beyond; a CWIC shows how they apply to you. (Social Security) - “WIPA is only for people already working.”
Mostly false. WIPA prioritizes workers/near-workers, and serves youth 14–25 even if you’re just exploring. (Social Security, Choose Work!) - “WIPA costs money.”
False. WIPA services are free to SSI/SSDI disability beneficiaries. (Choose Work!)
What to bring to your first CWIC appointment
- Your SSDI/SSI award letters (or my Social Security downloads).
- Recent pay stubs or job offer letter (wage, hours, start date).
- Medicare/Medicaid or private insurance cards.
- Info on other benefits (SNAP, housing, VA, student status).
- Questions about hours, raises, bonuses, self-employment, or reporting.
Tip: The more accurate your documents, the better your BSA and action plan. (Cloudinary)
WIPA & 2025 work incentives: why the numbers matter less than your plan
2025 thresholds (like TWP $1,160 and SGA $1,620 / $2,700) are important, but they’re only part of the picture. Your benefit type (SSDI vs. SSI), blindness status, state Medicaid rules, and whether you’re concurrent (receive both SSDI & SSI) all change the math. That’s why personalized planning with a CWIC beats generic charts every time. (Social Security)
Summary takeaways
- WIPA = free, expert benefits counseling for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries considering or starting work. (Choose Work!)
- Who should know? Workers and near-workers, youth 14–25, veterans, parents/caregivers, students, self-employed, and employment professionals. (Choose Work!, Social Security)
- Act early—a 30-minute call now can prevent months of overpayments or coverage issues later. (Social Security)
- Get started: Use Find Help or call the Help Line to request a WIPA referral today. (Choose Work!)
FAQs
1) Who is eligible for WIPA services in 2025?
SSI/SSDI beneficiaries due to disability who are working, have a job offer or active interviews—and youth ages 14–25 even if just exploring work. Veterans also qualify for priority. (Choose Work!)
2) Is WIPA really free?
Yes. WIPA projects are funded by Social Security and provide benefits counseling at no cost to disability beneficiaries. (Social Security, Choose Work!)
3) How do I find a WIPA counselor near me?
Use the SSA Find Help tool (filter for Benefits Counseling/WIPA) or call the Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 (TTY 1-866-833-2967), Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET and request a WIPA referral. (Choose Work!)
4) What does a CWIC actually do for me?
A CWIC verifies your benefits, explains work incentives, models wage scenarios, and gives a written plan so you can avoid overpayments and keep health coverage while working. (Choose Work!, Cloudinary)
5) I’m starting self-employment—can WIPA help?
Yes. A CWIC explains how net earnings and business deductions affect SSDI/SSI rules and 2025 milestones like TWP/SGA. (Social Security)
6) What are the key 2025 amounts I should know?
TWP: $1,160/month; SGA: $1,620 (non-blind) and $2,700 (blind). Your CWIC will tailor these to your situation. (Social Security)
7) Can I keep Medicaid while I work on SSI?
Often yes, via 1619(b) if you meet criteria; the earnings threshold varies by state. A CWIC will check your state’s limit and your eligibility. (Social Security)
8) Does WIPA replace ENs or VR?
No. Think of WIPA as your benefits GPS; ENs/VR provide job services. Most people benefit from both. (Choose Work!)
How to get help now
- Find WIPA near you: Use SSA’s Find Help tool and select Benefits Counseling (WIPA). (Choose Work!)
- Prefer the phone? Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 or TTY 1-866-833-2967, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. (Choose Work!)