Disability Rights California Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program offers free individualized work incentives counseling to eligible individuals living in: San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. 

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program is a free service that helps Social Security beneficiaries who receive benefits based on a disability make informed choices about their employment goals. 

This program is for individuals currently employed, self-employed, or individuals seeking employment or self-employment.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to receive WIPA services you must: 

• Receive benefits from Social Security based on a disability (SSDI or SSI) or cash benefits were suspended recently due to wages
• Be at least 14 years old
• Not eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits
• Be employed, self-employed, or looking for work

How can WIPA help me?

• A certified Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) can work with you to:
• Plan for the effect employment may have on your benefits
• Develop work incentives so you can be successful
• Coordinate with agencies that help you pay for training or services to return to work

To contact a Community Work Incentives Coordinator call (888) 768-7058.

If you would like general information about how work might affect your benefits, you can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m or visit, http://www.chooseworkttw.net/findhelp/ . If you use TTY services for people with hearing impairments, use 1-866-833-2967. If you are working or you have a job offer, the Help Line can refer you directly for Work Incentives Planning and Assistance services.

Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication.

View our WIPA brochure.

Helpful Links

• Social Security Red Book
• Disability Benefits 101
• Finding Your Path to Employment with Ticket to Work (ASL)

Success Story

Joanne’s Story: Interested in increasing her monthly earnings, but concerned how this would impact her Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits.

Joanne sought out support and guidance from Disability Rights California (DRC) Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA) program when she was interested in increasing her monthly earnings but concerned how this would impact her entitlement to Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits. 

When speaking with DRC, she was informed that the Extended Period of Medicare Coverage (EPMC) would allow her to keep her Medicare benefits for 78 months from when her benefits paused.  She would also maintain her eligibility for the Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program with a slightly higher premium each month.

After becoming informed, Joanne then decided to increase her hours and earnings.