The Benefits Planning Process

The benefits planning process is a personalized, and often free, service designed to help you understand how employment will impact your public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicaid, and food assistance.

You may or may not already receive benefits like:

  • Federal Disability Benefits (such as SSDI or SSI) - a monthly check that helps you cover your basic expenses such as shelter
  • Medicaid or Medicare - this is health insurance that gives you access to medical professionals - like going to the doctor
  • Food Assistance - this is support to purchase food

All of these benefits listed are benefits or entitlements to help people with disabilities and those who have little income or resources.

Because the rules and acronyms can feel overwhelming, the primary goal is to relieve fears about losing benefits and to help you as a job seeker try working safely and gradually using "work incentives". We strongly advise against guessing; instead, let’s begin the planning process before starting a job, increasing hours, or accepting a raise.

Activity
Understanding Common Fears About Work and Benefits

Starting a job can bring excitement, but it can also bring questions and concerns.

This activity will help you think about any worries you or your family may have about employment and identify information or support that could help. “What are some fears you or your family may have when you start working?”

If you need ideas to get started, consider whether you have concerns about:

  • Losing SSI or SSDI
  • Losing Medicaid
  • Losing food assistance
  • Losing housing support
  • Not knowing what to report
  • Getting an overpayment
  • Not being able to get benefits back if the job ends
  • Family members being afraid to take a risk
  • Not knowing who to ask for help
  • I can only work part time

Fear and uncertainty can sometimes prevent you from exploring employment opportunities. Learning about benefits, work incentives, and available supports can help make informed choices with greater confidence.

Changes Happen Gradually
Benefits usually change slowly, not all at once

Working does not mean your benefits automatically stop right away; instead, there are programs called "work incentives" designed to help you try working safely and gradually while maintaining healthcare and support.

Confronting the Fear of the Workplace

Illustration of a cracked and crumbling pillar labeled Myth.

Myth: working means an immediate loss of all benefits and healthcare.

3D diagram illustrating a steel beam connection with red horizontal beams bolted to a blue vertical column labeled Reality.

Reality: Social Security provides structured safety nets that allow you to work, earn more, and maintain essential support.

Benefits Planning Query and Analysis (BPQY)

There is a report that you can request from Social Security that will confirm what benefits you receive. It’s called ‘Benefits Planning Query and Analysis'. You can request your BPQY using the following steps.

You must request the BPQY for yourself or provide a signed consent form asking for the release of the BPQY to a third party, like a representative payee, family member, or friend. The Benefits Planning Query Handbook has sample consent forms and text. If you plan to have the BPQY released to a third party, you should use the sample text when filling out the forms.

Did You Know?

You can:

  • Work part-time or full-time
  • Keep Medicaid (health care) in many cases
  • Use special programs to protect your benefits

Securing Professional Help.

If you are looking for assistance with public benefits (like Medicaid, SSI, or SSDI) and employment, credentialed professionals known as Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC) or WIP-C™ certified planners to help you navigate how working impacts your benefits. Or if you think you qualify and would like to learn more.

Several regional organizations and state-affiliated programs in Ohio offer expert guidance to ensure you keep your essential benefits while transitioning into employment:

  • Disability Rights Ohio: Administers statewide WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) services. Call their intake department at 1-800-282-9181.
  • Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati: Provides statewide technical assistance and direct WIPA services for many Ohio counties. Reach them at 1-800-582-2682.
  • Ticket to Work Help Line: A national Social Security resource where trained benefits planners can assist with your job plan. Call 1-866-968-7842.
  • Ohio Department of Behavioral Health: Partners with Cornell University to train planners holding the WIP-C™ credential. Visit the Ohio DBH Work Incentives and Benefit Planning