Maine's CHOICES CEO Project
Priority #5: Expand Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance, also referred to as "benefits counseling," is a relatively new and under-supported resource. Those providing this service work with people receiving public cash benefits (usually Social Security). The goal of the service is to help benefits recipients make informed decisions — with an emphasis on increased work — in light of ever-changing policies.
This is a particularly important service for people with disabilities who want to work because earned wages can dramatically affect the amount and type of benefits received.
Without an accurate understanding of the work world and how employment affects public benefits, many potential workers might avoid work, or turn down increases in wages and hours, because they think these changes could be financially disadvantageous.
A significant portion of our budget (10 percent, the maximum allowed by our funder) is allotted for benefits counseling services and system development.
Accomplishments
One of our key goals is to increase the number of benefits counselors available to Mainers with disabilities. Great strides have been made already.
The Maine Medical Center's (MMC) Department of Vocational Services was recently awarded competitive funding from the Social Security Administration for new Community Work Incentive Coordinators — the new name for benefits counselors (see the January 2007 newsletter for more information on this). MMC receives additional funds to support benefits counseling from the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the CHOICES CEO project, and the Department of Health and Human Services. With these combined funds, four additional benefits counselors were hired in 2007. They join two existing counselors at MMC and two others at Alpha One in providing services across the state.
Goals
- Additional benefits counselors are hired.
- There is a significant increase in the number of people who receive benefits counseling and the number of formal benefit plans prepared.
- People with disabilities receive in-depth benefits counseling in a timely manner so that quick and informed action can be taken on job and advancement offers.
Long-term Results
- More people with disabilities are hired and sustain employment.
- More hours are worked by, and wages paid to, workers with disabilities.
National Resource
The National Coalition of Health Systems Development Library has helpful resource materials, including many on benefits counseling. To find information on benefits counseling, click the select button next to "Keywords," type "Benefits" into the search box and click the "Run Search" button.
Recent News
- 704 individuals with disabilities were taken into Maine Medical Center's benefits counseling program in 2007 (actual intake from January through November 30; December count estimated). This compares with 396 individuals with disabilities served by the same benefits counseling programs in 2006, for increase of 78%.
- Maine Adds New Benefits Counselors (January 2007 newsletter)
Highlights
Public Meeting
On May 22, 2006, a public meeting was held to discuss benefits counseling. The conversation focused Social Security Administration beneficiaries with disabilities who are exploring work options. Videoconferencing was used so that people in Portland, Bangor and Augusta could all participate.
The information gathered from the discussions is being used by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and partners to guide continued development of Maine's benefits counseling system. View a compilation of comments from the meeting.
Resources
Logic Model of Maine Benefits Counseling System
A logic model is a visual depiction of how a complex system works.
