Skip Navigation

Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network Newsletter For Your Benefits

Vol. 7, Issue 33, October, 2009

| Sign Up for Newsletter Mailing List |

For Your Benefit – Introduction

The Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network (WDBN) is a statewide system that provides direct assistance to benefits counseling practitioners and seeks ways to reach out to and better serve people with disabilities, their supporters, and professional service providers in Wisconsin. This newsletter provides current program news, important notices and updates, and upcoming training and educational opportunities. Check out past editions of this newsletter!

2009 / 2010 WDBN Calendar

Photo of attendees at the October WDBN training in Wisconsin Dells.Thanks for attending the 2009 WDBN events. We plan to share the schedule of 2010 events in the next newsletter. Overall, the WDBN is exploring ways of making your participation in training more convenient and less expensive. Due to the highly complex and confidential nature of the information provided by benefit specialists, continuing education and peer support is crucial for professionals to maintain the high level of competence required to help individuals make informed choices.



What's New

Social Security Makes it Official: No COLA in 2010

Photo of Bob Monahan from Social Security from October training in Wisconsin Dells.Source: Social Security Administration

No cost of living increases will happen for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975, the government announced Thursday.

Blame falling consumer prices. By law, cost of living adjustments are pegged to inflation, which is negative this year because of lower energy costs. Social Security payments do not go down, even when prices drop.

On October 14, 2009, the Obama administration called for a second round of $250 stimulus payments for seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities to help increase income.

Information about Medicare changes for 2010, now available, can be found at www.Medicare.gov.

For additional information visit 2010 COLA or SSA 2010 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Updates.

New Rules in WHEAP Eligibility

Photos from October WDBN Training.On October 1, 2009 the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) began using new eligibility rules. The income guidelines are no longer based on 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Instead, eligibility is based on 60% of the state median income. This change is due to new state legislation passed in the spring of 2009. The new criteria makes more households eligible to take advantage of this benefit. Below is the chart for income eligibility for October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010.

Income Guidelines for the 2009-2010 WHEAP Heating Season

60 Percent of State Median Income Guidelines

Size of Family

One Month

Three Month

Annual Income

1

1,953.00

5,859.00

23,435.00

2

2,554.00

7,661.00

30,645.00

3

3,155.00

9,464.00

37,856.00

4

3,756.00

11,267.00

45,067.00

5

4,356.00

13,069.00

52,277.00 >

6

4,957.00

14,872.00

59,488.00

7

5,070.00

15,210.00

60,840.00

8

5,183.00

15,548.00

62,192.00

For more information visit the Home Energy Plus.

BadgerCare Plus Core Plan Updates

Beginning on October 9th at noon, the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan stopped enrolling new members. This decision was made due to the high volume of applications for the program. All individuals applying for the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan after this time will be put on a waitlist. Individuals put on the waitlist will be enrolled into the Core Plan when a slot becomes available.

BPQY Changes

Social Security has recently changed the BPQY. The new version was created in September and has the fancy name of v2.03C. You’ve probably already noticed the changes, but just in case here they are.


Special Interviewing Situation

Contributed by Ron Konkol, Social Security Administration

SSA will provide an interpreter free of charge, to any individual requesting language assistance, or when it is evident that such assistance is necessary to ensure that the individual is not disadvantaged. SSA does not require individuals needing language assistance to provide their own interpreters.

Photos from October WDBN Training.SSA is committed to providing the best possible service to the public, including non-English speaking (NES), limited English proficiency (LEP) and deaf/hard-of-hearing customers. One of our goals is to make dealing with SSA as easy and convenient as possible by providing options for service delivery. Our customers must be allowed to deal with us in the way that they are most comfortable. Therefore, as an agency we strive to give individuals different options for conducting business (e.g., online applications and file updates at www.ssa.gov, in-office, telephone, field visits, mail, etc.).

The Social Security Handbook states:

1512. How can Social Security help you complete your application?
If you find that you need help completing your application, any Social Security office will provide assistance free of charge. If you cannot go to the Social Security office personally because of poor health, or if there is no Social Security office nearby, call the toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, or write the nearest Social Security office to:

  1. Get full information and application forms;
  2. Make an appointment for a telephone interview; or
  3. Request that someone from the Social Security office go to your home. (Source: Handbook Section 0110.)

If you need an interpreter to communicate with us, we will provide one upon request, free of charge. SSA has a nationwide contract for telephone interpreter services in more than 150 languages and dialects.

Source: POMS GN 00203.009.

Cool Resources

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2009

Photos from October WDBN Training.Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation!
Source: U.S. Department of Education

Education plays a critical role in empowering the next generation of Americans with disabilities with a strong foundation and expectation of academic achievement, employment and the ability to give back to others and their communities. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding represents an unprecedented investment in students with disabilities and the administration’s commitment to helping young people with disabilities achieve success in school and work.

Below are some links to the various programs, services and resources offered through the U.S. Department of Education resources to assist individuals with disabilities find meaningful employment.


Additional Federal Disability Employment Awareness Resources

Below are some links to additional federal government resources that can assist individuals with disabilities to find meaningful employment.


Disability Rights Wisconsin Update October 2009

Photo of attendees from Social Security from October training in Wisconsin Dells.Following are recent updates from DRW.

Highlights:

Handouts:


Benefits News Roundup

Benefits News Roundup

Netting of SSI Overpayments/Underpayments

When a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient has both an overpayment and an underpayment, the Social Security Administration (SSA) computer system detects both and makes the appropriate adjustments. This automated process is called netting.

If the SSA system identifies an overpayment (no underpayment), a notice will normally be sent to the individual giving all the pertinent information. If the system detects an underpayment (no overpayment), it will send a notice and also issue the underpayment to the person.

Netting occurs when the system discovers both an underpayment and an overpayment: any outstanding overpayment balances will be offset by the underpayment. When the SSI record reveals that a decision to collect a previous overpayment has been made, the system will reduce the outstanding balance of that overpayment by the amount of any underpayment. When the underpayment amount exceeds the overpayment balance, the remainder is paid to the individual.

If an overpayment for a period of time was waived by SSA, any new underpayment in a different period cannot be used to recover that previous overpayment. The underpayment will be issued to the recipient. POMS SI 02101.001

Ben Spec

Ben in Antartica

Ben's braving the cold recently...here's a recent question Ben received that is frequently asked...

Hi Ben,

I have a client who is disabled and receives both SSDI disability benefits and SSI disability payments. His aunt is 85 years of age and is planning to move out of her house that she owns (worth about $80,000) and into an apartment. She wants to give the house to my client to live in. If she does this and he moves into the house, would he lose his SSDI and SSI?

Neil
Greendale, WI

Check out Ben's response in his blog! (Ask Ben a question: askben@eri-wi.org | Visit Ben's Blog )

Training and Educational Opportunities:


Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) Trainings

The Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) offers online training opportunities with preapproved CRC credits. Courses currently offered 2-3 times per year include the following:

Additional courses including vocational evaluation, cognitive disabilities, and job placement are in development. Please see the website at http://www.uwstout.edu/svri or contact April Pierson at piersona@uwstout.edu for dates, costs, and course descriptions.

BadgerCare+ CORE Plan for Childless Adults

Presented by Ellen Escalera, Disability Rights Wisconsin
Posted: September 10, 2009
Length: 58 minutes long
Access: BadgerCare+ CORE Plan for Childless Adults Webcast

Training for Professionals who work with Medicare Part D Beneficiaries on the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit

This training is designed so that each section is more complex than the previous section. The training will be offered in multiple locations statewide and is also available as a webcast.

Training & Registration Information: Medicare Part D Trainings Fall 2009

Presented by: Eva Shiffrin, Disability Rights Wisconsin

Medicaid Madness Training: A CLE Opportunity for Public Interest Minded Lawyers and Advocates

Presented by Disability Rights Wisconsin
Date: October 29, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. with Registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Location: American Family Insurance Company, Madison, WI 53718
More information about the Medicaid Madness Training.

Puzzled By Brain Injury? Enhance your skills to improve the lives of those you work with.

Dates & Locations:

  1. October 26, 2009 in LaCrosse at Western Technical College.
  2. November 6, 2009 in Appleton at  Fox Valley Technical College.
  3. November 10, 2009 in Madison at Madison Area Technical College (Truax Campus).
  4. November 13, 2009 in Milwaukee at Milwaukee Area Technical College (Oak Creek Campus).

Presenters:
Wisconsin based and Nationally Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBIST)

This training utilizes a national curriculum recommended by the Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) for entry-level staff and experienced professionals. A sampling of the topics included in the training manual are:

Following a day long training, a written exam will follow (optional) to earn a nationally recognized credential- Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS).

For More Training Information Contact Myrt Sieger, TBI Training Coordinator at:
608-442-0317 or email her at siegerfam@gmail.com.

For More Registration Information Contact Brenda Jackson, Administrative Assistant at:
262-790-9660 or email her at admin@biaw.org.

Registration Information Coming Early August! Register early, each session is limited to 30 attendees.

Systematic Instruction

Dates & Locations:

  1. October 20-21, 2009 in LaCrosse.
  2. December 7-8, 2009 in Waukesha.
  3. December 9-10, 2009 in Fond du Lac.

Sponsored By: WI Pathways to Independence, WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Western Wisconsin Cares, Waukesha Training Center, and Creative Care Options.

Hotel Accommodation provided free of charge for those traveling to attend on the following days:
October 20, December 7, and December 9.

This two day training course will provide an overview of systematic instruction procedures based on Marc Gold's timeless Try Another Way approach. The information provides job coaches with the perspectives necessary to understand the teaching of essential job tasks in integrated community workplaces. Topics covered will include a brief retrospective on the evolution of supports in community work sites and a discussion of a "road map" strategy called the Seven Phase Sequence that helps explain how to start and how to proceed with training and supports that are built on the natural features and natural supports uniquely present in each workplace.

The course will also provide overview discussion of the tools of systematic instruction that includes a range of organizational strategies. Training strategies will also be discussed that reference the use of formats for presenting information, demonstration, verbal assists, gestural and modeling cues and physical assists. The role of natural motivation in lieu of reinforcement will also be discussed.

Space is Limited. Register Early.
Registration Deadline: Thirty (30) days before the training date you select.
Priority given to those placed on waiting list in 2008 and those directly involved in job coaching.

For More Information Contact Lisa Mills at:
608-225-4326 or email her at lisa.mills@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference

Date: December 9-11, 2009
Location: Bethesda, Maryland | Hyatt Regency
More information about the Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference

7th Annual WI Transition Conference

Date: February 17-19, 2010
Location: Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells
Target Audience: For all people working with and supporting youth with disabilities as they transition from high school to adult life.
More Information about the conference on the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative Website

National Summit on Disability Policy 2010 Website

National Council on Disability

Date: July 25-27, 2010

Location: Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC

This event is hosted by the National Council on Disability. The theme, ADA 1990-2010 Retrospective and Future Policy Directions, will include a comprehensive dialogue to shape the national disability agenda.

Anyone hoping to become a delegate to the summit in July of 2010 should review the Website and complete the application as quickly as possible. A delegate selection will be done later this fall, but people should assure that they do not miss any deadlines.

ADA Audio Conference Series

The National Network of DBTAC-Regional ADA Centers is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2009-2010 ADA Audio Conference Series.

Visit the website at www.ada-audio.org and click on the ADA Audio Conference Series, to view the complete schedule for 2009-2010 and register for sessions.

The 2009-2010 series will begin with a session on October 20th 2009 on the ADA Amendments Act Proposed Rules – Q&A with EEOC.

If you have questions regarding the series, please contact us at gldbtac@uic.edu or call our toll free number at 877-ADA-1990 (V/TTY) or 877-232-1990 (V/TTY).

Ongoing Training:

| Back to Top |