Benefits Planning

Benefits Planning

In FY23, more than 100 individuals who receive SSI or SSDI contacted a benefits planner to understand how working will affect their benefits. Anyone who is eligible for Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and wants to work can receive free benefits planning services. In FY24, the Statewide benefits planning process will be evaluated through the SWTCIE IL demonstration project with the goal of increasing and improving services to customers contemplating competitive employment.

In FY22, Illinois launched a disability benefits website. Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits. You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together. https://il.db101.org/

Our staff can:

  • Explain how all of your benefits will be affected if you go to work,
  • Give you a written report that show how earnings from your job will change your benefits,
  • Tell you about other community services that can help you,
  • Be available to answer any questions you have about your benefits, even after you go to work,
  • Provide ongoing benefits management, which can include a new analysis if you get a raise, and
  • Make a referral to help you resolve any legal barriers related to employment, such as employer accommodations that will help you do your job.
  • Connect customers with Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program is to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to receive accurate information and use that information to make a successful transition to work. Each WIPA project has Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC) who will:

  • provide in-depth counseling about benefits and the effect of work on those benefits,
  • conduct outreach efforts to beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in federal or state Work Incentives programs; and
  • work in cooperation with federal, state and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve SSI and SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities.