Social Security Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects are funded by the Social Security Administration.
The purpose of WIPA is to help people with disabilities, who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), to understand what will happen to their SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid and other benefits when they start or return to work. We also talk with young people over the age of 16 who have disabilities about working and benefits.
1) How much does this cost?
Nothing. This service is paid for by Social Security.
2) Who does this?
Social Security WIPA Projects employ Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC’s) to advise Social Security beneficiaries, including their families and support people, on how to manage their income and benefits while working. CWICs have been extensively trained and have ongoing technical support provided by the Social Security Administration to keep up-to-date on information.
3) How does it work?
Social Security and the State of Michigan have work incentives available to help people maintain their benefits while transitioning into the work force. CWICs talk individually with people to help them understand which work incentives are best for each unique case and how to utilize them.
4) How do I find a CWIC?
Michigan has four Social Security WIPA Projects that divide the state geographically. See the map to the right to find the CWIC that serves the county you live in.
Click the CWIC Locator Map (below) to find a community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) by county map or "drop down" list (below).
Community Work Incentives Coordinators
UCP Michigan
4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102
East Lansing, MI 48823
Toll-free (800) 828-2714
Sara Stech
4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102
East Lansing, MI 48823
East Lansing, MI 48823
Toll-free (800) 828-2714
Counties Served: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, St. Clair, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, and Tuscola
Jack Anderson
1209 S. Garfield Ave., Suite E
Traverse City, MI 49686-4330
Toll-free (800) 828- 2714
Counties Served: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Wexford
Lisa Bucher
1200 Wright St Suite A9
Marquette, MI 49855
Toll-free (800) 828-2417
Counties Served: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft
Laura Hall
Counties Served: Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana
Goodwill Industries
311 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48208-2962
Detroit, MI 48208-2962
(313) 557-8718
Toll-free (888) 232-4140
Brenda Etheridge
311 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48208-2962
(313) 557-8718
Toll-free (888) 232-4140
County Served: Wayne
UCP Detroit
23077 Greenfield, Ste. 205
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 557-5070
Toll-free (800) 827-4843
Paul Landry
23077 Greenfield, Suite 205
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 557-5070
Toll-free (800) 827-4843
Counties Served: Lapeer, Macomb and Oakland Counties
The Arc Michigan
1325 S. Washington Ave.
Lansing, MI 48910
Toll-free (800) 292-7851
Lansing, MI 48910
Toll-free (800) 292-7851
Maggie Kolk, The Arc Kent County
629 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-3339
Counties Served: Allegan, Barry, Clinton, Eaton, Ionia, Kent, and Ottawa
Pete Mulder
Disability Network Southwest Michigan (formerly Disability Resource Center of Southwest Michigan)
517 E. Crosstown Pkwy
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 345-1516
Toll free 1 (800) 394-7450
Counties Served: Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren
Kathy Homan
Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy
New Center
1100 N Main St. #205
1100 N Main St. #205
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-1256
Toll-free (866)-662-2726
Counties Served: Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties