Work Incentive Practitioner Credential

What makes an excellent Benefits Practitioner? A Benefits Practitioner must abide by a strict code of professional conduct. Critical to the delivery of effective benefits and work incentives planning and assistance are the communication skills of the Benefits Practitioner. Good communication skills provide the cornerstone for superior and ethical work incentives counseling, and this program teaches participants how to engage in active listening and "values-free" communication..

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The disability determination process is the same for both programs and will be reviewed in this course. All workers who have a FICA deduction from their paychecks are purchasing a disability insurance plan and retirement pension. The SSI program provides means-tested benefits and health care to low-income individuals with disabilities. This program has strict rules and processes for both the standard of disability and the determination process. Learn how disability decisions are made, who makes them, and what an applicant can do after receiving an unfavorable decision..

Congress has made provisions for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide work incentives for beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition to the disability programs and work incentive provisions that the SSA oversees, they also administer a vocational rehabili­tation (VR) program for providers of VR services that serve SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. The addition of the Ticket to Work Program creates a myriad of rehabilitation, placement and job support programs available to recipients with disabilities who seek to return to the work force..

The SSA has implemented many work incentive programs that will assist SSDI beneficiaries of cash and health benefits in making a successful transition to work. These work incentive programs can be of significant benefit to any beneficiary who wishes to attempt a return to the work force. Learn how each program works and interacts with each other, how to trouble shoot during the return to work process and help debunk the "urban legends" surrounding a beneficiary's return to work..

SSA implements several protections to support the return to work of SSDI beneficiaries beyond IRWE, Subsidies and Special Conditions. Individuals who receive SSDI and meet certain criteria are provided protections from Continuing Disability Reviews as well as Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits should attempts at work prove unsuccessful. These additional considerations are meant to remove common obstacles to returning to work and debunk ongoing "urban legends" surrounding detachment from entitlements. For those entitled to SSDI, Medicare is provided as a health insurance program following a 24-month waiting period following entitlement. SSA provides for extended Medicare coverage when a beneficiary attempts work for significant periods of time..

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federally-administered means-tested program available to individuals who are aged, blind or disabled who meet specific eligibility criteria. Having replaced individual state programs in 1974, SSI is intended to provide a basic level of income and health care to assist a recipient in meeting the basic needs for food and shelter. The SSI program, administered by the Social Security Administration, contains a vast system of rules and regulations concerning categorical, financial and disability eligibility. This session will provide an organized, thematic view of this complex and important social program..

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with disabilities have many valuable work incentive programs that can assist in making the transition from recipient to worker. The vast array of work incentive programs will allow any SSI recipient to return to work while gradually reducing cash benefits and moving toward greater economic self-sufficiency. This session will provide an overview of these programs that are critical to anyone wishing to move toward greater financial independence..

Overpayments continue to pose a substantial obstacle to beneficiaries who are attempting to return to the work force. Overpayments occur in both the Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income programs. How overpayments occur and what a beneficiary can do about them are the questions that will be answered during this presentation. Along with examining the overpayment process, participants will also learn specific strategies to assist overpaid beneficiaries and support them in resolving this issue..

Many individuals who receive other means-tested federal and state entitlements may also receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and/or SNAP. Created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (P.L. 104-193), TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The objective of the program is to promote work, responsibility and self-sufficiency. The SNAP Program helps low-income people meet their nutritional needs. Both programs are means-tested; meaning that an individual’s eligibility and amount of benefit is determined by income. Thus, any earnings a person may have could negatively impact the amount of benefit the person receives, creating a disincentive to work proper planning is not completed..

The lack of suitable, affordable housing is often a major barrier to successful employment of persons with disabilities. Still, various public and subsidized housing programs can sometimes help to overcome this barrier. This webinar class will provide a brief summary of the major federally-sponsored programs that should be available in all states, with an emphasis on those policies most applicable to persons with disabilities..

The national Unemployment Insurance Program established under the Social Security Act of 1935 provides for temporary and partial replacement of income to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The Workers Compensation program provides a safety net including partial income replacement, health care and rehabilitation services to workers injured during the course of employment. While individuals receiving SSDI will not experience an impact on their cash benefit eligibility as a result of receiving unemployment insurance benefits, individuals receiving SSI, will as it is a means-tested program..

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit for individuals who work and have earned income under certain levels. One goal of the EITC is to reduce or offset the amount of payroll taxes while at the same time encouraging individuals who might otherwise receive other public benefits to seek employment. Veterans Benefits are available to veterans of the United States Armed Services and, at times, their dependents for both service and non-service connected disabilities. Both cash and health care coverage may be available to the veteran and, at times, eligible dependents. But how will these benefits impact the receipt or eligibility for SSDI and SSI?.

SSA implements several protections or safety nets to further support the return to work of SSI beneficiaries beyond IRWE, PASS and BWE. Individuals whose earnings exceed the break even point for receiving cash benefits retain their eligibility for SSI and Medicaid under the 1619(b) as long as their earnings do not exceed certain state thresholds and they meet specific eligibility criteria. This program provides for continuation of critical health care benefits. Further, individuals who receive SSI and meet certain criteria are provided special protections from Continuing Disability Reviews as well as Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits should their attempts at work not be successful..

Practitioners who will be supporting SSDI and SSI beneficiaries' return to work efforts must not only understand the importance of providing benefits and work incentives planning but also ensure that their clients have access to good information prior to making important decisions regarding work. This webinar class teaches practitioners how to collect and analyze critical benefits information while at the same time developing a portfolio of options they can use to advise the individual and to support them in making informed choices regarding work..

Many Benefits Practitioners think their job is done once they have developed some sort of report that presents options for a beneficiary when making decisions regarding work. Research shows that this is not enough! Practitioners need to consider the levels and types of support a beneficiary may need to make certain decisions. While a beneficiary may be able to select that they want to work at a certain level and utilize certain work incentives, they may not know where to go to access the supports necessary to aid them in finding a job or how to work with SSA to use certain work incentives..

Avoiding the pitfalls often associated with post-entitlement issues for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries requires proactive planning, monitoring and assistance. Anticipating potential problems that may arise and having interventions ready to support the individual is critical. While individual paths to employment vary based on the person’s desires, abilities and interests, how their benefits are impacted do not—they are static; governed by policy and procedure that can be planned for. This webinar class explores the importance of proactive planning and monitoring, long-term supports, strategies for effective crisis management and ethical considerations for practice..