National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Specialists (NABWIS)

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The National Association of Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists (NABWIS) is comprised of the many and varied professionals providing assistance to individuals who receive disability benefits.

WIPA & PABSS Programs At-Risk; Use this Instant Campaign Kit to Contact House Leaders Today

WIPA and PABSS programs are in a crisis and need our help. We must ask Congress to work with the SSA Commissioner to re-authorize both of these vital programs now.

This webpage contains a campaign kit that can be used by anyone in disability services who wants to support the continuation of Work Incentive Planning & Assistance (WIPA) and Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) programs.

BACKGROUND: WIPA and PABSS were authorized under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999. While these programs have been reauthorized in the past, the current reauthorization is set to expire and Congress has failed to take action to re-authorize them. As a result, WIPA will expire June 30, 2012 and PABSS September 30, 2012.

SSA’s Commissioner Astrue sent a letter to The Honorable Joseph R Biden, Jr. and The Honorable John Boehner on January 5, 2012, enclosed with a draft bill to extend the funding authority for this program and its "sister" program, Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security. (click here to see letters and draft bill). These letters requested that the draft bill receive "prompt and favorable consideration" and noted The Office of Management and Budget had "no objections to the transmittal of this proposed legislation to Congress." To date, NO bill has been introduced and SSA says they are unable to grant further funding extensions without congressional action even though they already have WIPA funding for 2012 set aside in their budget.

WHO AND HOW TO CONTACT: If you are concerned about WIPA and PABSS ending, communicate your support for Commissioner Astrue's position to reauthorize both programs.

Email both of your U.S. Senators and your representative from the U.S. House of Representatives. The links below help you find your congressional member and their web-based email forms. There is also a link to an email template you can use as-is or personalize.

1. Click here to find your representative and their web-based email form.
•  Click here to get an email template you can copy and paste into the email.

2. Click here to find your senators and their web-based email form.
•  Click here to get an email template you can copy and paste into the email.

If you send your representative and senators an email, it can also be helpful to notify the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee (the subcommittee working with SSA on reauthorization).

3. Click here to send an email to the SS Subcommittee Chairman

4. Click here to send an email to the SS Subcommittee Ranking Member

Thank you for participating in this campaign, which is very important to people with disabilities all across the country!

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