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Answer: Programs should either have an “expert” on staff or know how to contact a local “expert”. The benefit of having an expert on staff is that customers can find out all they need to know about work and their benefits at one location. It is important to remember that in order to become an expert, the staff member will need extensive training on all of the nuances of all Social Security Disability programs. And because Social Security benefits are complex and change often, the staff person will need to participate in continued training to ensure that they have accurate information and do not give incorrect information to customers.
If it is not possible to have an expert on staff, then programs should know where to send their customers for expert assistance. Programs have two options: Social Security local field offices and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects formerly known as BPAO’s or Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach projects. In order to find the Social Security office for a given area, go to: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp. Individuals can find the WIPA project that covers a given county or state, by visiting www.vcu-barc.org or www.ssa.gov.
Resources:
Red Book: A Summary Guide to Employment Support for Individuals with Disabilities under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs
Available Online: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/redbook2006.pdf
Social Security Online: http://www.ssa.gov/
Information for this Fact Sheet came from T-TAP, Training and Technical Assistance for Providers. The contributor for this fact sheet is Jennifer McDonough,
From Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention, Region III CRP-RCEP, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Used with permission. www.crp-rcep.org.
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