After many years of school, she wanted to give work a trial run. We gave her some good news. #AdvocacyMatters

May 19, 2017 / #AdvocacyMatters

 

Marcy was a recipient of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and she had just finished school to become a physician's assistant. She worried about being physically able to work full-time, which would eliminate her SSDI benefits. She didn't know if it was worth the risk of losing her safety net, but she really wanted to use her degree. She called DRO to see if we could provide a way forward.

DRO's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program helps people who receive Social Security Disability benefits take advantage of programs that allow them to work - without losing their benefits. DRO has specialized experts who provide individualized counseling, allowing clients to be informed about their options before they start working and connecting them with resources to help them succeed.

DRO's experts explained to Marcy that she could use a work incentive called a Trial Work Period. This would allow her to return to work for nine months without losing her benefits. She started work full-time at a clinic in April, so relieved to have the flexibility to give work a try without losing the benefits that had sustained her.

DRO administers the WIPA program in 31 of Ohio's 88 counties. Organizations in Columbus and Cincinnati oversee the rest of the state. Find a map and contact information for your county's WIPA program on our website.