A benefits counselor initially works with a person to identify and verify his/her benefits, entitlements, services, and subsidies including Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Food Share, energy assistance, and housing assistance.
The benefits analysis process helps a person become aware of the effect of work on benefits, make informed decisions about working, avoid overpayments, manage changes in benefits, maintain health coverage, and know and use the appropriate work incentives.
Choose a type of benefit specialist for more information:
- Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS)
- Work Incentives Benefit Specialists (WIBS)
- Elderly Benefit Specialists (EBS)
- Disability, Health, and Employment Counseling (MAPP & HEC)
- Assistive Technology Services
Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS)
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). Find a Disability Benefit Specialist...
Work Incentives Benefit Specialists (WIBS)
Work Incentive Benefit 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 types of WIBS in Wisconsin include Fee for Service or Purchase of Service Benefits Counselors and the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program counselors.
Fee for Service or Purchase of Service Benefits Counseling
Fee for Service or Purchase of Service Benefits Counseling offers comprehensive benefits counseling services available for purchase by community and vocational agencies. People with disabilities who are interested in receiving benefits counseling and who receive funding through a community or vocational agency (for example, the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) may be eligible for POS benefits counseling. Find a Fee for Service Benefits Counselor…
Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)
The WIPA project is a voluntary program for people with disabilities who receive either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and are interested in working. Individuals receive information about benefits and federal and state work incentives. The Social Security Administration (SSA) designed the WIPA project to provide knowledge and support to beneficiaries who want to work and are unsure of how employment will affect their Social Security Benefits. Understanding the options and possibilities can help a person make an informed choice about going to work. Find a Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Specialist…
Disability, Health and Employment Counseling (MAPP & HEC)
The Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) offers education and assistance to help people with disabilities maintain or get Medicaid healthcare coverage while employed or seeking work. The Health & Employment Counseling (HEC) program is a nine-month pre-employment program for people with disabilities who want to enroll in the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP), but who are not yet employed. Through MAPP, people with disabilities who are working or enrolled in HEC may buy their Medicaid coverage by paying a monthly premium, based on income. Individuals with low income may not have to pay a premium. More HEC / MAPP Information...
Elderly Benefit Specialist
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. They also provide counseling for individuals approaching retirement and not yet receiving benefits. 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. Find an Elderly Benefit Specialist…
Assistive Technology
For people with disabilities looking for access to and information about computer and software technologies, ERI provides practical and creative assistive technology solutions. Our Assistive Technology Consultant is a licensed Occupational Therapist. Using creativity, new technology, and practical experience, ERI provides individualized assistive technology consultation and training services to hundreds of individuals with disabilities. This includes providing in-depth individualized reports. Agencies that refer individuals to ERI for Assistive Technology Consultation include the WI Dept. of Workforce Development/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Counties, High Schools and Technical Colleges, Community Rehabilitation Programs, Hospitals, organizations providing employment services to people with disabilities and others. More Assistive Technology Information…
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