Benefits Counseling

Benefits Counseling at BCRC

If you are considering or seeking competitive integrated employment, or career advancement, or need problem solving assistance to maintain employment, benefits counseling may be right for you.

To receive Benefits Counseling, please follow these steps:

Step 1:

If you have a Supports Coordinator or OVR Counselor, please contact them to ask about services and assistance available to you.

We offer 4 funding options to receive Benefits Counseling services with a credentialed Work Incentives Practitioner:

1. Consolidated Waiver, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers, or ID base funding
2. OVR: Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
3. Mental Health County Base Funding: Community Employment Services
4. Private Pay*

Step 2:

Call the Ticket to Work Hotline at 1-866-968-7842  (TTY:1-866-833-2967) to see if you are eligible for Benefits Counseling through Social Security’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program (WIPA).  The hotline is available Monday through Friday 8am – 8pm.

Ask to speak to a Work Incentives Specialist to determine if you are a WIPA priority or “eligible.”

If you are determined eligible for WIPA through TTW, you will be assigned to work with an employment network provider.

You must be determined “not eligible” or services must not be available within 30 calendar days to continue to step 3.

Step 3:

Call BCRC at 724-378-4750 or email Kristina Beal, WIP-C at kbeal@bcrc.net.

Please provide the following information:

1. Your name
2. Age
3. Phone Number/Email
4. What type of benefits you receive (SSI, SSDI, etc.)
5. The reason for your inquiry