Vernon County:
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County Services | Benefits Counseling | DVR | Job Searching | Transportation |
County Services
Vernon County Department of Human Services
318 Fairlane Drive
Suite 100
Viroqua, WI 54665
608-637-5210
Benefits Counseling
Find benefits counseling service providers in your area. If you are unsure of what type of benefits counseling services you need, contact the Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network (email wdbn@eri-wi.org or call 1-800-710-9326).
- 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.
- 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. Contact your local MAPP / HEC Specialist.
- Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS) provide counseling for 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. Contact your local Disability Benefits Counselor (if applicable)
- 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. Contact your local Elderly Benefit Specialist
Local DVR
Job Searching
- Vernon County Job Center: A center for people looking for work and businesses that need help finding qualified applicants. Job Centers are partnerships of government agencies and community-based organizations with a common goal: to make our community a better place to live by improving job opportunities through economic support, training and education. The Job Center offers resources for people seeking employment: workshops, job listings, job fairs, career counseling.
- Wisconsin Disability Program Navigators: Located within the Wisconsin Workforce Development Areas, DPNs help people with disabilities "navigate" through the challenges of seeking employment by connecting them with them with community resources. Navigators also collaborate with employers to facilitate employment for persons with disabilities. Contact a Navigator in your area.
Transportation Resources
- Abby Vans Inc. Non-emergency transportation. Advanced reservation required, service available 365 days a year. 1-800-236-8438
- Nelson's Caring Ride, Inc. Providing medical and social transit Monday through Friday 6 am to 6 pm. Call 608-637-2341 or 608-634-2169
- Running, Inc. Shared Ride Taxi Service serving Vernon, Crawford and Juneau Counties. Call 608-637-2599 or 1-877-444-6543.
- Vernon County Mini-Bus Available to anyone in community who is in need of
transportation. Bus is handicapped accessible and a reservation is required by
3pm the workday before. There are scheduled trips to La Crosse, Viroqua, Richland Center and Madison each month. Rides to neighboring communities are also provided on various days (check the schedule). - Volunteer Driver Program Makes transportation available to appointments
when the mini-bus is not available. Reservations must be made 3 days in advance of your ride. Call the office at 608-637-5201.
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