Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security: Assisting Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Return to Work Issues
What is PABSS?
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) was established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. PABSS, which is funded by a grant from the Social Security Administration (SSA), is responsible for protecting the legal rights of Social Security (SSDI) Beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who wish to start work on increase their amount of work-related earnings. PABSS is part of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. (P&A), a statewide non-profit organization that has been advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities since 1977. P&A services are free to all eligible individuals.
Who is eligible for PABSS services?
You are eligible for PABSS services if…
- You are a South Carolinian with a disability who receives Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits, and
- You need information about how working or increasing your work related earnings will affect your benefits, or
- You are having trouble getting the vocational rehabilitation or other employment-related services or support you need in order to work or increase your work related earnings, including concerns you may have with your employer about reasonable accommodations.
What services does PABSS provide?
If you are eligible for our assistance, PABSS can…
- Provide information about the programs, services and supports available to help your work
- Provide information about the numerous work incentives that may be helpful in your efforts to get meaningful work.
- Refer you to professionals who can explain how working or increasing your work related earnings will affect your benefits and help you plan for the future
- Assist you if you encounter problems in getting the services and supports you need to work or increase your work related earnings
- Advocate on your behalf to resolve any conflicts you may have with the service providers or employers as you seek to work or increase your work related earnings
Contact PABSS
Contact P&A at their toll-free information and referral number, 1-866-275-7273 (voice and TTY). You can also visit their website, www.pandasc.org, or email them by clicking here.
Working with a WIPA project is often a first step for beneficiaries who want to go to work.
The WIPA Project funded by a grant from the Social Security Administration for Georgia is the Walton Options WIPA Program and is located at 948 Walton Way, Augusta, GA. 706-724-6262 V/TTY; 877-821-8400. The Lead CWIC for the WIPA Program is Robbie Breshears.
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.
The TTW helpline can be reached at 1-866-968-7842/1-866-833-2967 (TTY) from M-F 8am-8pm.
Looking for more information? Click on the links below to find out more about more about our WIPA programs.
What is WIPA?
Project 20/20
Youth Services
FAQs about WIPA
Our WIPA services are available to consumers in our Georgia service area. If you are a consumer in South Carolina who is interested in WIPA services, you can contact the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842. Additionally, Walton Options is a Ticket to Work Provider in Georgia. To find out more about the program, go to our Ticket to Work page.
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