9.7 Benefits Counseling/Planning

Benefits Planning for people with disabilities is a service that:

● Helps the people we serve understand how employment and other life decisions may impact their benefits.

● Relieves or reduces the fears that the people we serve may have about benefits or services if they start working.

● Helps the people we serve make informed decisions on health insurance and other benefits.

● Provides a clear plan on how the people we serve can work to increase their income and quality of life.

When an individual receives government benefits (e.g., Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Section 8 housing assistance, or other financial assistance), it is critical that the DVR Counselor and individual discuss the impact of employment on these benefits. The success or failure of a rehabilitation plan is often contingent on the individual’s understanding of the impact of these benefits, and their concerns about any applicable change in benefits that may be the result of working.

Therefore, the DVR Counselor shall begin to explore this issue upon eligibility and throughout the comprehensive assessment. When appropriate, DVR will provide general information about benefits planning and federal and state work incentives utilizing available resources. Specialized technical assistance and/or individualized analysis is often beneficial for the individual to prepare for all potential impacts and utilize appropriate work incentives. In these situations, regional Work Incentive Coordinators (WIC) or qualified vendors shall be utilized to assist the DVR Counselor and individual.