Benefits Corner
Benefits Counseling can be one of the most important tools for the successful attainment and maintaining of employment of individuals with a disability. It can also be complicated but very much worth the effort. That is why members of the PaRC have recently created a ‘Benefits Corner’ which is a compiled list of helpful resources of both benefits counseling topics and OVR services included below. Please check back regularly for updates or reach out with any questions you may have at parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org
Benefits Counseling Resources, Videos, Web Courses, and Webinars
Benefits Counseling Credentialing
K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability:
https://yti.cornell.edu/
WIP-C™ credentialing program impacts thousands of lives:
As a trained work incentive practitioner, Milton Johnson assists people with disabilities with managing benefits while returning to work and gaining financial independence
https://www.yti.cornell.edu/impact/story/wip-c-credentialing-program-impacts-thousands-of-lives#
Virginia Commonwealth University – Work Incentives and Planning Assistance (WIPA) – National Training and Data Center (NTDC):
https://vcu-ntdc.org/
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and other PA Commonwealth Resources
- PA CareerLink Resources for Individuals with Disabilities
- OVR Individualized Employment Services
- We Can Work! Success Stories
- Rehabilitation Services Handbook
- Work Without Losing Benefits, Check out the PA Department of Human Services resources which include information for Ticket to Work, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD), PA ABLE Savings Program, and more
Success Stories from Ticket to Work
Road Warrior: Jeff's Story
https://choosework.ssa.gov/library/road-warrior-jeffs-story.html
Ticket to Work’s Success Stories Video Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc9Y6cCoTgpvauR1zUQxeg_OBxS33zzKX
Success Stories
https://choosework.ssa.gov/success-stories/
Transition and Education Resources
- OVR Early Reach Program
- Transition from School to Work Programs
- BSE/OVR – Benefits Counseling Toolkit for Educators and Families
- PaTTANpod is a thought-provoking discussion program that enables educators to access professional development directly from their classroom, office or home. PaTTANpod currently offers episodes on a variety of topics in the educational field that are based on supporting student achievement, with additional episodes being added regularly. Watch one of the latest PaTTANpods here: PaTTANpod episodes
Ticket to Work / Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Resources
- Video – Exploring a New Career with Ticket to Work
- Video – ASK an Expert: Work Incentives and Planning Assistance (WIPA)
- Do You Qualify for This Tax Credit?
- Ticket to Work: Answering Common Questions and Banishing Misconceptions About Working While Receiving SSDI or SSI Benefits
- Make the Most of Your Ticket: Work with your State VR Agency and an Employment Network
- Debunking U.S. Workers’ Top Four Myths About Ticket To Work
- What is Ticket to Work?
- How Will Working Affect Your Benefits?
- Benefits Counseling and the Path to Employment
- Ask a Benefits Counselor
- Trial Work Period (TWP)
- What You Need to Know About the Trial Work Period
- Service Provider Outreach Toolkit
- Ticket to Work Program Factsheet
- Success Stories from Ticket to Work
- Ticket to Work Blog
Webinars
WISE Webinars
Are you interested in learning about how work will affect your Social Security benefits? Social Security hosts free online Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars. WISE webinars can help you and your family members learn about the Ticket to Work Program and other Social Security work incentives. They’re generally held on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
https://yourtickettowork.ssa.gov/resources/wise-resources.html