Webinar Series

WIP-C™ Full Credentialing

$1575

Work incentives pave the way to work and financial independence for recipients of public benefits. All public benefits programs and pensions provide incentives for recipients with disabilities to return to work. During the first set of 7 webinars (Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income and Work), participants will explore the principal benefits provided by the Social Security Administration as well as the work incentives pertaining to each benefit. While SSA provides some of the most significant cash and health care benefits, reality indicates that recipients with disabilities may receive benefits from a myriad of public sources. The second set of 6 webinars (The Effect of Work on Other Federal Programs and Their Relationship the Disability Programs) participants will review the various federal programs providing benefits to individuals with disabilities, including TANF, Workers Compensation, and Veterans Benefits, as well as how each relate to one another and are impacted by earned income. Finally, the third set of 4 webinars (The Ins and Outs of Becoming a Benefits Practitioner) will introduce the practice to participants by providing suggestions as to how this complex variety of work incentives, critically needed benefits and earnings can be described and explained to an individual with a disability to both encourage work and financial independence.

This intensive certification program for Benefits Practitioners requires participation in 17 webinars, completion of a provisional certification on line examination as well as a file review that, upon successful completion, will result in full certification. The webinars are presented twice weekly over a period of eight and a half weeks. The on line examination will be administered two weeks after the conclusion of the webinar series and participants will be allowed a full work week (24/7) to complete the examination. Finally, within 3 months of successfully completing the examination a file review will be completed by Cornell faculty to ensure that the provisionally certified Benefits Practitioner is actually able to effectively use the information obtained through the webinar courses and written materials.

Full certification can be maintained by securing 60 hours of continuing education units (CEU) over the 5 year period immediately following the attainment of full certification. An on line “portal” will be made available for logging CEU activity.

Part 1: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, and Work

Explore the principal benefits provided by the Social Security Administration, as well as the related work incentives.

Part 2: The Effect of Work on Other Federal Benefit Programs and Their Relationship to Disability Programs

Review federal programs providing benefits to individuals with disabilities. Learn how each relates to the others and is impacted by earned income.

Part 3: The Practical Aspects of Becoming a Work Incentive Practitioner

Gain insight into how the complex mix of work incentives, critically needed benefits, and earnings can be explained to an individual with a disability to encourage both work and financial independence.

The WIP-C™ credential is good for 5 years. To be re-credentialed, participants must complete 60 hours of approved continuing education units (CEUs) during the 5 years. Six of these hours must involve financial literacy. CEUs are logged and approved in an online portal. When the 5-year period ends, a new WIP-C™ credentialing certificate is issued to those who have completed the necessary CEUs and another 5-year period begins (with another requirement of completing 60 hours of training).