Work Incentive Plans (WIPs)
Both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs have work incentives. These are special rules that offer you some kind of advantage when you work. Not everyone can use work incentives. Sometimes work incentives just don’t apply to a person’s situation. Keep this in mind as you look at the Work Incentive Plans below.
Social Security program names sound the same to most of us. Sometimes people will not be sure exactly which benefit they receive. Call 1-800-772-1213 to find out which benefit you are currently receiving. Some people receive both SSI and SSDI. Please call the Connection for more information, especially if you receive both SSI and SSDI benefits.
Click here for Fact Sheets that explain some of Social Security’s program rules and provide general information about work incentives. If you need more detailed information about specific work incentives, click on the links to Work Incentive Plans at the bottom of this page. Each Work Incentive Plan explains who can use that work incentive, when it can be used, and the benefits of using that work incentive. The plans also explain each step you must take to get Social Security’s approval to use the work incentive. You may want to ask a job coach, case manager or a family member for help. You can also call the Connection.
To use the Work Incentive Plans below, first find the column with the name of the benefit you receive at the top----either Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Look down that column and pick a work incentive you are interested in knowing about. Click on that name. The Work Incentive Plan will open for you to read. Read all of the information. If you think this work incentive may apply to you, start with step one, which is to contact your local Social Security office to ask whether you can actually use this work incentive. If Social Security says you can probably use the work incentive, they may ask you to send them more information. You might need to get receipts or a letter from your doctor, or a form from your employer. Follow the steps in the plan until you have done each one. Call the Connection if you need help or have questions.
If you do not live in Minnesota, follow this link for a list of local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance agencies by state.
Work Incentive Plans Currently Available
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
| Subsidy or Special Conditions | Student Earned Income Exclusion |
| SSDI Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) | SSI Impairment Related Work Expense (IRWE) |
| Sample Doctor's Letter | Sample Doctor's Letter |
| Unincurred Business Expenses | Blind Work Expense |
| "Report of Unincurred Business Expense" form |
There are many more work incentives than what are listed above. On this page, we only show those work incentives for which the Connection has developed a work incentive plan. You can get information about other work incentives by calling the Connection.
