In October 2006, the Social Security Administration (SSA) replaced the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program (BPA&O) with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. The Program has been renamed because of an increased emphasis on work incentives, return to work supports and jobs for beneficiaries.
WIPA projects provide all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities (including transition-to-work aged youth) access to work incentives, planning and assistance services.
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Many individuals would like to work, but are worried they will lose essential benefits if they have earnings of any kind.
This project will provide you with information about Work Incentives which may allow you to keep some or all of your cash benefits as well as your medical benefits.
Benefit Advisement can be…
Each agency providing WIPA services has at least one staff member who has received special training through the Social Security Administration about public benefits. They have up-to-date information concerning work incentives. They also have information about the effects of earnings on other state and federal benefit programs.
The Catskill Center for Independence, in cooperation with the Social Security Administration, provides WIPA services to beneficiaries who reside in the following counties:
For more information contact the center at:
Catskill Center for Independence
PO Box 1247
Oneonta, NY 13820
607-432-8000
1-866-724-8666
Or you can Email us.
If you need assistance and reside in Otsego County, contact:
Kathy Brown
Resource Center for Independent Living
409 Columbia Street
Utica, NY 13502
315-797-5837 (Voice)
315-797-4642 (TTY)