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Social Security Administration
Advocacy Center of Louisiana
Volunteers of America of North Louisiana |
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Louisiana Work Incentive Planning & Assistance Project (LAWIPA)
Donald Leger, Coordinator
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The Louisiana Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Project LAWIPA, is one of two SSA funded Work Incentive Planning and Assistance grants awarded to organizations in Louisiana. Ours is one of the many projects operated by LSUHSC Human Development Center.HDC is one of 67 University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities located in every state. The Advocacy Center's Southeast Louisiana Work Incentive Planning and Assistance project serves southeast Louisiana. Together, the projects formed the Louisiana Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Coalition.
LAWIPA employs Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC) who receive extensive initial and on-going training about SSA and other work incentives as well as eligibility requirements for other Federal and State programs. CWIC possess a full range of knowledge about the Ticket to Work Program and how to use the "Ticket" to become self supporting.
Community Work Incentive Coordinators have assigned service areas established as part of the area covered by their respective grant organizations. Louisiana WIPA projects share information and expertise while offering quality work incentive planning services to all SSDI and SSI beneficiaries in the Louisiana.
LAWIPA Goals
The goal of the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to better enable SSA beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work. The WIPA program replaced the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach program effective October 1, 2006. Each WIPA Project has Community Work Incentives Coordinators who:
- Provide work incentives planning and assistance
- Conduct outreach efforts in collaboration with SSA’s Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
- Work in cooperation with Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities
- Screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to appropriate Employment Networks
- Provide general information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage
- Provide information on the availability of protection and advocacy services
Learn about the Ticket to Work Program by visiting our "Ticket" pages.
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Not receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income?
Go to Social Security Online to see if you qualify and to apply online.
Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE)
Work Incentive Seminars (WISE) are seminars that provide those receiving SSI or SSDI with the knowledge necessary to either assign their Ticket to Work or pursue other Work Incentives.
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How Will the New Minimum Wage Affect Your SSI or SSDI?
As of July 1, 2009, Louisiana is one of five states that do not have a minimum wage law. In Louisiana, the minimum wage follows the Federal minimum wage law. The law changed the minimum wage from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour. Many individuals are concerned about the affect this change will have on their Supplemental Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Impact on Supplemental Security Income Cash Benefits (SSI)
If you receive cash benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for every $2.00 increase in monthly income from your job, your monthly SSI check will be reduced by $1.00. Although your SSI check will be less, your overall monthly income will increase. The following example illustrates how the new minimum wage of $7.25 can affect the SSI payment of an individual who has no exclusions from countable earnings.
Before July 24, 2009
($6.55 at 80 hours monthly) |
After July 23, 2009
($7.25 at 80 hours monthly) |
| Gross Earnings: $ 524.00 |
Gross Earnings: $ 580.00 |
| SSI Payment: $ 454.50 |
SSI Payment: $ 426.50 |
| Total Income: $ 978.50 |
Total Income: $1,006.50 |
As you can see, while the SSI check is reduced by $28.00, the total income for the individual is increased by $28.00. Your situation may be different. In order to determine the effect of the new minimum wage on your SSI, call the Louisiana Work Incentive Planning and Assistance project and ask to speak to a Community Work Incentive Coordinator.
Impact on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
If you receive a check through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need to determine if your income will increase to more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount, which is $980 in 2009 ($1,640 if you are blind). If so, there is a possibility that you will no longer be eligible to receive a Social Security check. However, do not automatically assume that your SSDI check will stop. If the loss of this check is of concern, you should contact your local CWIC from the LAWIPA program, to determine if and when your SSDI check may stop, and whether there are ways that you can use work incentives (such as Impairment Related Work Expenses - IRWE), to keep you eligible for an SSDI check.
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