A beneficiary receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and SNAP benefits contacted the WIPA program after being told by their local Social Security office that they would lose benefits if they started working. WIPA staff provided the beneficiary with information which showed them that their benefits would be reduced, but would not stop, and they would keep their Medicaid benefits. WIPA showed the beneficiary that even though their monthly cash benefits would be reduced, they would still have greater income each month by working.
WIPA also helped the beneficiary establish an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account so they could save money each month without affecting the resource limit for their SSI and Medicaid benefits. This will allow the beneficiary to save money to purchase a car, providing the beneficiary with more employment opportunities as opposed to being limited to working at businesses within walking distance of public transportation. As of August 4th, the beneficiary has two interviews scheduled. The WIPA program manager also contacted the local Social Security Field Office Manager to alert them of misinformation being provided to beneficiaries.
