Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program
The federal Social Security Administration designated the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) as a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program serving beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 31 of Ohio's 88 counties. The program is designed to assist individuals who wish to secure gainful employment, achieve financial stability and secure affordable health care for Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries with disabilities. WIPA will help people understand their SSA benefits, how these benefits impact employment, and how to access supports needed for gainful employment, so they can make informed choices about employment options.
More about WIPA
WIPA replaced the Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach program effective October 1, 2006.
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Planning and assistance services are the focus of the WIPA program.
- Planning Services provide Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries with benefits analyses, referrals, employment options, work plans for long-term supports needed for gainful employment, and follow-up.
- Assistance Services assists SSA beneficiaries to develop personal employment, financial and health care goals, and provides direct supports as individuals take the steps necessary to achieve their goals.
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All SSA beneficiaries who are 14 years of age and older are eligible for WIPA services.
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The Social Security Administration funds the WIPA program.
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Organizations in every state and territory in the United States have arranged with SSA to provide WIPA services to SSA beneficiaries. In Ohio there are three organizations who administer the WIPA program: the Ohio Legal Rights Service, the Center of Vocational Alternatives, and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati.
To find which organization provides services in your county, see the list below or you can view a map showing the county breakdown: Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects in Ohio (PDF file)
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Ohio Legal Rights Service
The Ohio Legal Rights Service provides WIPA services for Allen, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Cuyahoga, Darke, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Medina, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Paulding, Protage, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Trumbull, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood counties.
Ohio Legal Rights Service
50 W. Broad Street, Suite 1400
Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923
Voice phone: 614-466-7264 or 800-282-9181 (In-State Toll Free Only)
TTY: 614-728-2553 or 800-858-3542 (In-State Toll Free Only)
Fax: 614-644-1888
On-line request for help: www.olrs.ohio.gov/asp/olrs_RequestForHelp.asp
Center of Vocational Alternatives
The Center of Vocational Alternatives provides WIPA services for Adams, Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Guernsey, Hardin, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Washington, Wayne, and Wyandot counties.
Center of Vocational Alternatives
3770 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214
Phone: 614-294-7117 or 877-521-2682 (In-State Toll Free Only)
Fax: 614-294-7443
Web site: www.cova.org
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati provides WIPA services for Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren counties.
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
215 East Ninth Street, Suite 200
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Voice phone: 513-241-9400 or 800-582-2682 (Toll Free)
TTY: 513-241-1930
Fax: 513-241-0047
Web site: www.lascinti.org
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