Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program
The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Ticket to Work (TTW) program serves individuals, ages 18 through 64, who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits because they have a disability.
Participation in TTW is voluntary but offers access to several key employment support services including employment planning/counseling, preparation for the workforce and finding (and keeping) a well-matched career.
In Illinois, these services are commonly delivered by the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), who often collaborate with Community Rehabilitation Partners (CRPs) to ensure proper job placement and sustainability. This employment team can help guide the journey to work and greater financial independence, while maintaining benefits.
The SSA is authorized to award cooperative agreements to agencies which provide community-based Work Incentives expertise to beneficiaries - this is commonly known as the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance(WIPA) program.
WIPA:
- Enables Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed decisions about the impact of employment on benefits.
- Supports successful transitions to employment through counseling, outreach and collaboration with federal, state and private entities.
Although questions related to standard benefit inquiries should be directed to either the website, or the Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), WIPA can assist with the in-depth and often complicated issues surrounding earnings, eligibility and future benefits planning.
As of July 1st, 2021, there are 3 such active cooperative agreements in place for eligible beneficiaries who are residents of Illinois. Please refer to the map and list of counties (below) to find the correct WIPA staff.
- Volunteers of America of Illinois (VAI), 1-312-564-2368
- Disability Rights Iowa (DRI), 1-800-779-2502 Ext 237, 238 or 239
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), 1-800-852-5110
Note: Both DRI and VAI webpages are pending updates to the WIPA program.

- Volunteers of America of Illinois (VAI): Cook
- Disability Rights Iowa (DRI): Adams, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, DeKalb, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, Winnebago & Woodford
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP): Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Iroquois, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Johnson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lawrence, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Massac, McHenry, McLean, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Sangamon, Shelby, St. Clair, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Will & Williamson.
Future Resources:
The Illinois Department of Human Services is funding the development of a customized, Illinois-specific Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) site. DB101 is an easy-to-use, comprehensive, free, accessible, public digital tool that empowers people with disabilities to make informed career planning, health coverage, and wealth-building decisions that support their quality of life and financial well-being. Understanding disability benefits is critical to helping people with disabilities achieve their employment goals. DB101 provides state-specific customized tools and content designed to help people with disabilities, their circles of support, professionals, and service providers to understand the options and resources that are available to support competitive integrated employment planning.