Center on Disability Studies
2021 - 2022 Annual Report
Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Hawai‘i Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) enables beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work, and supports working beneficiaries to make their transition to self-sufficiency a success. WIPA project staff made 3 presentations to 104 participants about social security benefits and ABLE accounts and offered client interviews and meetings to 62 individuals.
The goal of the Hawai‘i WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) program is to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work, and to support working beneficiaries to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Our Community Work Incentives Coordinators work with individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to provide in-depth counseling about benefits and the effect of work on those benefits.
WIPA Services
- Information and Referral: Basic information in response to inquiries about all Federal & State benefits programs, and referral to government agencies & other community resources.
- Problem Solving and Advocacy: Involves solving specific Federal and State benefit & work incentive issues & may include advocating on your behalf with other agencies.
- Benefits Analysis and Advisement: An assessment of real or potential effects of employment or similar changes that will impact your overall financial wellbeing and the effects of employment on benefits. In addition, the analysis informs beneficiaries of various work incentives and supports available & the effect of using those services and supports to achieve your work goal.
- Work Incentives Planning: Developing a plan to achieve your employment goal with you.
- Benefits Management: Teaching you when and how to report changes to your earnings or situation, what records to keep, and what to expect as your earnings increase.
Interested in WIPA Services?
If you are working, looking for work, or considering an employment decision and need individualized assistance, contact Hawaii WIPA using the information below.
Hawaii WIPA
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Center on Disability Studies
1410 Lower Campus Road, Building 171F
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-9800
Toll-Free: (844) 499-3594
Fax: (808) 956-9530
Hours: M-F 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM HST
Email: wipa@hawaii.edu