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Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
The Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Project is a federally funded initiative to educate and assist individuals with disabilities, and those who support them, to use the Work Incentives offered by Social Security and the State of Michigan in their quest to enter or return to the workforce.
How can this project help me?This project is for people with disabilities who receive either Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or both. By understanding the Work Incentives offered by Social Security and the State of Michigan, you may be able to go back to work and protect your benefits.
How does the project work?
A trained and certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) will sit down with you and gather information from you and from Social Security to help you understand where you are in the Social Security system, and how to utilize the work incentives available. The CWIC will ask about your work history, address, date of birth, and disability.
Is this legal?
Yes. This project and the Work Incentives are legal. They are designed to give you an opportunity to go back to work and take advantage of Work Incentives to prolong or maintain benefits.
Can I work and still keep my Medicaid and Medicare benefits?
The government has started “Work Incentives” that let you keep Medicare and Medicaid benefits while you work. The CWIC will explain how this works.
How much will this cost?
There is no cost to you.
Why would I want to do anything different?
By going to work, you will have more income. You will have more control over your life and feel less frustrated. It is shown that work makes a person feel better about themselves.
Who do I contact?
The state has been divided geographically.
Contact Jack Anderson at 800-211-1356 or anderson@ucpmichigan.org if you live in the following counties: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Wexford.
Contact Lisa Bucher at 888-873-8812 or bucher@ucpmichigan.org if you live in the following counties: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft.
Contact Sara Stech at 800-828-2714 or stech@ucpmichigan.org if you live in the following counties: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola.
For southern and southwestern Michigan, contact Arc Michigan at (800)292-7851.
For Oakland and Macomb counties, contact UCP of Metro Detroit at (800)827-4843.
For Wayne county, contact Goodwill Industries at (313)964-3900.
Updated May 2010
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