What is Benefits Counseling?
Benefits counseling provides information about how working may affect your financial and health benefits. In Maryland, these counselors are called Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) and they work for Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA).
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
(WIPA) Project
The WIPA program is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide you with information about the impact of working on your SSI or SSDI cash and health benefits. Each WIPA project has Community Work Incentives Coordinators. The WIPA project in Maryland is the Maryland Work Incentives Network.
Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs)
CWICs are people with knowledge of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other benefits. They help you understand the rules about work and assist you in planning your Social Security checks, health insurance and other benefits such as food stamps.
Contact Information
If you are a PROMISE participant contact
Full Circle Employment Solutions
Phone: (888) 466-2942
Full Circle Employment Solutions Website
If you are not a PROMISE participant contact:
Start by calling the Ticket to Work Helpline. This helpline refers callers to local WIPA projects when appropriate, but can also refer callers to other resources as needed.
Phone: (866) 968-7842
Division of Rehabilitation Services
(DORS)
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) have benefits counselors, sometimes called benefits planners, to help you understand the impact of work may have on your benefits.
Contact Information
DORS’ Website | DORS’ Facebook
Phone: 410-554-9442 or 888-554-0334 toll free
Videophone: 443-798-2840 (DEAF/HARD of HEARING ONLY)