Resources

Our Western NY Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project (WIPA) is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and provides free benefits advisement services to beneficiaries who are either working (full-time or part-time) or interested in going to work. This document reviews benefits available, as well as contact information for advisors, assistance, and more information about your benefits.

This document explains the section 301 rule, which is designed to protect the benefits of persons who participate in an approved vocational rehabilitation program.

Once a person has been eligible for 24 months of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, he or she becomes eligible for Medicare. This document discusses penalties and savings programs linked to Medicare Part B and D, including exceptions to the penalty rules and support for penalty problems.

A Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiary is entitled to Medicare coverage after 24 months of SSDI eligibility. This document explains provisions and savings programs available.

Benefits advisement services are provided to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI beneficiaries if they are working or planning to go to work. Advisers are available to assist beneficiaries in understanding Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and navigating SSA‘s intricate system. This document describes how the benefits advisement services for NYS Commission for the Blind Consumers can help.

Vocational rehabilitation organizations pay for services to augment the other benefits advisement services that NLS provides. New York State Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) funding of benefits advisement services is a key part of the benefits advisement continuum and directly supports the beneficiary’s move to a work goal.

This document describes the 2025 changes to Social Security, SSI, and Medicare thresholds and rates.