Navigating the Maze of Public Benefits Through Life Transitions

It's no big secret...that the rules and regulations governing the various benefit and service programs for people with disabilities are extensive and complex with numerous exceptions and variations. Virtually every person’s situation is different and that situation can change as a person goes through various life transitions. Whether a person is applying for public benefits, entering adulthood, becoming employed, switching jobs, or even retiring, they face numerous rules and changes in their benefits that are extremely difficult to understand.

Wisconsin is unique in that we have a variety of professional benefits counselors that can provide assistance through various life stages and assist people with disabilities to make informed choices regarding benefits.
This is critical when you think of how changes can impact quality of life issues such as a person’s health care benefits. Navigating through Social Security, Medicaid, public housing, energy assistance, or other benefits can be a daunting task and handling the required paperwork takes time, patience and a high degree of knowledge.

Getting on Benefits...
Wisconsin has Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS) who assist people with physical, developmental, and mental illness disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59. A DBS can provide cost-free information and counseling about public and private benefits programs and help people apply for or appeal the denial of benefits. DBS’s are currently available through Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) serving 22 counties, but will be available statewide within the next few years. For more information visit:
www.dhfs.state.wi.us/Disabilities/benspecs/program.htm

Going to Work...
A person with a disability who already receives benefits and wants to work must consider the implications of income on his or her benefits. Work can have a significant impact on a person’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

Even so, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a variety of work incentives that help disability beneficiaries go to work and still receive benefits in an attempt to become more independent. Whether working full-time, part-time, or temporarily, a Social Security beneficiary must know how these rules and provisions apply specifically to them.

Professional counselors called Work Incentive Benefits Specialists (WIBS) assist people with disabilities by helping them wade through the complexities to make informed choices about the impact of work on their benefits. WIBS can provide a written and oral analysis of a person’s services and benefits and how work will change their cash payments, medical coverage, and continued eligibility. Two different types of WIBS operate in Wisconsin…for more information go to www.eri-wi.org/benefitsCounselingInWisconsin.php

What about retirement?
When reaching retirement age, a person with a disability will still have many if not all of the benefits from before that time; however, some of the rules will change. In Wisconsin, Elderly Benefit Specialists (EBS) help people age 60 or older figure out their private or government benefits, including the complex issues around various prescription drug plans. An EBS can provide accurate and current information, suggest alternative ways to secure benefits or appeal denials of benefits, advocate with other parties, explain legal action or other possible solutions, and make referrals to an appropriate attorney if necessary. For more information: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aging/Genage/BENSPECS.HTM

The bottom line is that for a person with a disability going through the various stages of life, there are many decisions that are critical when it comes to maintaining health care, finding housing, earning income or receiving adequate and proper prescriptions. Benefits Specialists are available in Wisconsin and can help. Through continuous training they maintain knowledge and remain current with ever-changing laws and regulations. The WDBN provides comprehensive resources to train and maintain the skills of WIBS and DBS benefits specialists throughout the state. If you or your organization would like additional information about accessing or maintaining public benefits or how work affects those benefits for people with disabilities, contact ERI at 1.800.710.WDBN (9326).

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