FAQs About WIPA

Persons who are at least 14 years of age, fit Social Security’s Administration’s definition of “Disabled”, and are receiving or are entitled to Social Security benefits based on having a disability (Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Social Security Childhood Disability Benefits, or Social Security Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits) are eligible.

No.

No

Certified Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) are authorized by Social Security to provide Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services to promote employment & financial independence among Social Security disability beneficiaries.

If you have consumers who are working, are actively pursuing employment, are transitioning from high school into the community that have expressed an interest in working or financial independence, or are engaged in education/training programs that will be completed within a year, please refer them for the WIPA Program.

The CWIC will assist the beneficiary in identifying their employment and/or financial goals. Once they review all the benefits the beneficiary is receiving and verifies them, the CWIC will create a report called a Benefits Summary and Analysis. This in-depth report discusses what benefits the beneficiaries are receiving and why, what exactly their goals are, what exactly will happen to each benefit when they go to work, and for each benefit – what work incentives that may qualify to assist them in reach their goals.

The WIPA Program is administered by Walton Options for Independent Living in Augusta, GA.

Walton Options and Bobby Dodd Institute are the two organizations that administer the WIPA Program in Georgia.

Walton Options serves Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Benhill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatman, Clarke, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Dawson, Dodge, Dooly, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanual, Evans, Forsyth, Franklin, Glascock, Glynn, Greene, Habersham, Hall, Hart , Houston, Irwin, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Mcduffie, Mcintosh, Monroe, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Putnam, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Union, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne , Wheeler, White, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson, and Worth counties.

The Bobby Dobb Institute serves Dade, Walker, Chattooga, Floyd, Polk, Haralson, Carrol, Catoosa, Whitfield, Gordon, Bartow, Paulding, Douglas, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Heard, Coweta, Spaulding, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Talbot, Harris, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Taylor, Schley, Stewert, Webster, Sumter, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Clay, Calhoun, Early, Baker, Dougherty, Mitchell, Miller, Seminole, Decatur, and Grady counties.

Yes. The Protection and Advocacy for beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) is responsible for protecting your legal rights as a beneficiary. To find out more about PABSS services and eligibility, please go to our PABSS Information page.

There are two different ways you can get in touch with a CWIC:

1 – Call the Ticket to Work Help Line Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm on 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

2 – Contact Walton Options Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 803-279-9611 (V/TTY) or 1-866-793-3407.

Please call the Social Security Administration Helpline on 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) for all benefit related questions.

For more information about WIPA services in South Carolina,  please call the Ticket to Work National Helpline at 1-866-968-7842.

Social Security provides the Ticket to Work National Helpline for beneficiaries of social security benefits based on disability who are thinking about going to work. The helpline can provide basic information about the Ticket to Work program and will refer to WIPA program for services if needed and desired.