BB* is a 42-year-old living with Autism who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Through training with an employment program, BB received a job offer from a national electronics retailer with monthly gross earnings of $2,200.00.
BB then contacted Disability Rights Louisiana about the WIPA program for information on how earnings from work could impact their benefits including much-needed Medicaid benefits. The WIPA program was able to explain that earnings at this level would cause SSI cash benefits to pause, however, they would have more money through work than they did with SSI alone and they would have the ability to resume SSI cash benefits if they became unable to work due to their disability. And with a special work incentive BB would also be able to keep Medicaid eligibility while working.
WIPA was also able to show BB how they could save money each month without impacting SSI and Medicaid resource limits so that they could save up for the apartment they always wanted. With the assistance of Disability Rights Louisiana’s WIPA team, BB has gained financial independence and is now leading a more integrated life in the community.
*name has been changed to protect client’s confidentiality
