Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 allowed Social Security to fund a program called Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA). WIPA staff provide information about work and benefits to people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because of a disability.
WIPA Is About Working
WIPA programs serve people who are already working, or who are about to start work. They help beneficiaries by providing information about the availability of work supports. WIPAs also provide accurate and individualized information about the effect of work on benefits and health insurance. They verify a person’s benefits to make sure they give information about the right programs. They provide in-depth counseling about benefits and discuss the effect of work on those benefits. This information is designed to help people reach their goals.
Finding a WIPA
Since July 1, 2021, Social Security funds 74 WIPA agencies that serve the entire country and U.S. territories. If you want more information about WIPA services, call the Ticket to Work Help Line number below. The Help Line can answer general questions about Social Security programs that protect benefits while people begin to work. The Help Line staff can also send information to a WIPA so they can contact you. To assist the WIPA, you will need to provide details about your benefits and goals. The WIPA may also need you to sign releases so that they can verify the benefits you receive from any benefit provider, not just from Social Security.
Contacting a WIPA
If you would like to contact the Ticket to Work Help Line for a referral to the WIPA that serves your area, you can:
- Call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET
- You can also use the Find Help tool on the Choose Work website to find a host of service providers, including the WIPA serving your area