Benefits Planning and Supports

The major theme you may have noticed is that you are not expected to figure this out on your own. The rules of Social Security are complicated! However, professional assistance is built into this system to give you personalized guidance so you can transition to work safely and confidently.

Who Can Help?

The most highly trained experts in this field are Certified Benefits Planners or Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs). You can typically connect with them through:

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies: such as Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

WIPA Programs: The Social Security Administration funds Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects, such as Disability Rights Ohio and Disability Rights Iowa, which employ these experts. Click here to access Disability Rights Ohio guide to benefits planning that’s available where you live.

Local County Agencies: For specific state benefits, like food assistance or Medicaid, you can also get help from a county caseworker at the Department of Job and Family Services.

It’s important to connect with an expert – ask for a Certified Benefits Planner and use the DB101 Site to connect with local experts to help you navigate your benefits.

What Do Professionals Do?

These experts provide counseling that is typically free and customized to your specific situation. They work with you to help you request and interpret your Benefits Planning Query and Analysis (BPQY), which is an official report from Social Security confirming what benefits you get. Explain exactly how working will impact your SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, or food assistance. Help you apply special "work incentives that allow you to safely test out working while keeping your safety net.

Calculating the Impact of Work

These certified benefits planners and CWICs will explain exactly how earning a paycheck changes your SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid.

The Importance of Certification

The rules surrounding disability benefits are complex, and bad information can cause people to unnecessarily fear losing their healthcare or income. To prevent this, professional assistance is highly regulated. Planners must pass rigorous training and certification programs through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) or Cornell University. This specialized training ensures they are giving you accurate advice and not reinforcing dangerous myths.

The Golden Rule

"Do Not Guess" Above all, when it comes to your benefits, you should never guess. You should always reach out to a professional before you start a new job, increase your hours, or accept a raise so you know exactly what to expect.

Let’s look closer!

Who is one person you could ask for help if you had a question about your benefits? Possible answers may include:

• Benefits planner
• OOD counselor
• Case manager
• Employment specialist
• Family member or trusted supporter
• Social Security office
• DB101 website