Social Security Work Incentives & Planning
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), also known as benefits counseling, helps people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) understand how working may affect their benefits.
Whether you are currently employed, returning to work, or considering employment for the first time, WIPA provides personalized guidance so you can make informed decisions about your future.
Certified Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) work one-on-one with individuals to:
- Explain how earnings may impact Social Security benefits
- Identify available work incentives and other resources
- Help you maximize your benefits while pursuing employment
- Support you in reaching your education and career goals with confidence
WIPA services are designed to reduce uncertainty about returning to work, helping individuals understand their options and take advantage of the work incentives available through Social Security.
WHO do we assist?
Individuals who fit the following criteria:
- are between the ages of 14 and full retirement age*
- receive SSI or SSDI (or other Title 2 cash benefit)
- are working, interested in returning to work, are about to start work, OR are self-employed
*Youth between 14 and 25 do not have to fulfill the working criteria to be eligible for advisement.
We can help you to understand how work affects a variety of benefits:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Food assistance
- Housing subsidies
- Other State & Federal benefits
Kim Steen
Community Work Incentive Coordinator
Stacey Sims
Community Work Incentive Coordinator
Ways to Make a Referral:
- Complete the general referral form and fax to 502-669-8928 OR email to our intake specialist. Be sure to encrypt or password protect any email containing personal identifying information. If not able to encrypt or password protect, please fax to above number.
- Call Ticket to Work Helpline at 866-968-7842
2026 FACT Sheets
| Expedited Reinstatement | Download | Blind Work Expense | Download |
| Extended Medicare | Download | Impairment-Related Work Expenses for SSI | Download |
| Extended Period of Eligibility | Download | SSI Self-Employment | Download |
| Impairment-Related Work Expenses for SSDI | Download | Student-Earned Income Exclusion | Download |
| SSDI Self-Employment | Download | Plan to Achieve Self Support | Download |
| Subsidy or Special Conditions | Download | Section 1619(b): SSI and Medicaid Coverage | Download |
| Trial Work Period | Download | How to Report Wage Information to SSA | Download |
| How Your Earnings Affect Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | Download | What is SGA? | Download |
This project is funded in part by a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication. The above documents were published at U.S. taxpayer expense.