The 104 Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects across the U.S. and the U.S. territories work with SSA beneficiaries with disabilities on job placement, benefits planning, and career development.

By working with a WIPA, SSA beneficiaries will be better equipped to make informed choices about work.  Each WIPA is staffed with Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) to:

• provide work incentives planning and assistance;
• help beneficiaries and their families determine eligibility for Federal or State work incentives programs;
• refer beneficiaries with disabilities to appropriate Employment Networks or State VR agencies based on individual needs and impairment types;
• provide general information about potential employer-based or federally subsidized health benefits coverage available to beneficiaries once they enter the workforce; and
• inform beneficiaries with disabilities of further protection and advocacy services available to them.

WIPAs are authorized to serve all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities, including transition-to-work aged youth, providing benefits planning and assistance services on request and as resources permit.