BENEFITS PLANNING & COUNSELING

Benefits planning and counseling services can help an individual:

• Who receives SSDI or SSI learn how working could impact their benefits.
• Learn how work incentives may be used to lessen the impact to their cash and health insurance benefits.
• Ask questions and receive easy to understand answers.
• Make an informed choice on whether employment is a financial gain for them.
• Reach their goal of financial independence.

Benefits counseling is an individualized service tailored to the needs of the person. It is available for beneficiaries in any stage of their employment journey.

What to expect from Benefits Planning & Counseling services:

1. A benefits consultation gathers information about the individual’s employment plans and verifies the type(s) of benefits received. The individual will receive information on how earnings may impact their cash and health insurance benefits and what work incentives they may be able to use.
2.  A benefits analysis gives a more in-depth view of how working could impact a person’s benefits. This phase gives different scenarios so a person can see their options. A plan for effectively reporting information about work to Social Security and other federal, state or local entities will be developed.
3. Follow ups to see if there are any updates or life changes.
4. Other services offered are Analysis Update, which follows a person through their employment journey and assistance developing a Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS). These services are good for an individual who has already had the benefits analysis completed.

These services are funded by a Provider Agreement with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid Waiver funding (code W1740), and local contracts with the Office of Mental Health.

Contact

Adele Bond, Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator
Phone: 267-580-9860
Email: abond@yourgoodwill.org