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June 12 - 14th

The Arc Michigan's 57th Annual Conference  

Bay City, Michigan

Early Deadline

May 31, 2008

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The Arc Michigan

1325 S. Washington Ave.
Lansing, MI 48910-1652
Phone: (800) 292-7851

or (517) 487-5426
Fax: (517) 487-0303
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Michigan WIPA Coalition: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Work Incentives Planning and Assistance is a project funded by Social Security Administration. Purpose: To help individuals with disabilities who are receiving SSI or SSDI to learn about the work incentives and understand what will happen to their Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits if they return to work. We will also tell young people who have disabilities and are leaving school about working and keeping benefits.

1. Who will this project serve?

People with disabilities who are collecting SSI or SSDI and want to return to work or earn more at the jobs they already have.

2. How will this be done?

Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC's) will meet with beneficiaries and learn as much as they can about their situations. They will ask questions about disability, work history, and day-to-day life. They will ask about goals and desires, fears and concerns. They may need to meet with the beneficiary several times to do this.  

3. How will people be referred?

People do not need a referral to use this service. We expect that we will receive referrals from MRS counselors, Work First counselors, C.M.H. staff, Centers for Independent Living, local Arc’s, Social Security staff, and individuals with disabilities. Formal referrals are not needed to be served by this project.

4. Will you help people who have disabilities find a job too?

No. That is the job of vocational agencies. Our role is to assist individuals and their circles of support to understand the effect work has on their benefits, so that they make informed choices about work.

5. Will you help people apply for Social Security too?

No, we will refer them to local advocacy agencies for this. Our project is to help people who are already receiving SSI or SSDI and have disabilities return to work if they so choose.

6. What if people decide not to work and jeopardize their benefits?

That is a personal decision that each person must make. We will demonstrate for the individual the benefits and consequences of work for each person’s specific situation. There is no penalty from the Social Security Administration for deciding not to use work incentives.

7. Don’t Michigan Rehabilitation Services counselors do this already?

Many counselors do much of this. However, they are busy with other parts of vocational planning and support. They may not have time to keep up with the changing laws and many rules of Social Security and how they affect people who want to return to work. We hope to work with Michigan Rehabilitation Services Counselors as a team.

8. Where will you meet with people?

We can meet with people in their communities at local Michigan Works offices, MRS offices, schools or other places of their choosing.

9. What is the cost for this?

There is no charge for this service.

10. What will you do with the information you get about the people you see?

Social Security is requesting some basic information. We will release this only with the written permission of the people we counsel.

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