<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[National Association of Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mysite]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/news</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:13:26 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.nabwis.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[A New Chapter of Impact at NABWIS - Deborah Wagner Announced as New President!]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we approach our 20th anniversary of NABWIS’ incorporation as a not-for-profit agency, we have exciting news to share.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/a-new-chapter-of-impact-at-nabwis-deborah-wagner-announced-as-new-president</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6274e7532301fe59f5e007</guid><category><![CDATA[NABWIS News]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:25:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_c8cd4541dfcf4123acb4b023dd5aaeb9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Marsha Russo</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Policy Update April 6th, 2026: H.R.1 Policy Implementation Tracking Sheet]]></title><description><![CDATA[An H.R.1 policy implementation tracking sheet is now available for reference.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/policy-update-april-6th-2026-h-r-1-policy-implementation-tracking-sheet</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4593c79139bd7595ffd812</guid><category><![CDATA[Policy Updates]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:30:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_80d9ef9327064f7b80e328bc3cfac7a6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[NABWIS Now Has Two Part-Time Paid Staff]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we approach our 20th anniversary of NABWIS’ incorporation as a not-for-profit agency, we have exciting news to share.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/advocating-for-benefits-a-specialist-s-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d91d95b1404b5ae2d5ec80</guid><category><![CDATA[NABWIS News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:56:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_9c6770ad9ae44fa0908d119977a335df~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Key SSI Policy Change Effective September 30, 2024]]></title><description><![CDATA[Receipt of SNAP Benefits in an SSI Recipient’s Household Can Now Eliminate SSI’s Deeming of Income From a Parent or Spouse, and Result in a Larger SSI Payment.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/key-ssi-policy-change-effective-september-30-2024</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a458ded5af2dd52aa97458d</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_806b082c11854a9db6714a7e0b498e35~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 1619(b) Medicaid Work Incentive: Details on Strategies to Establish and Maintain Eligibility]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article provides a comprehensive guide on the Section 1619(b) Medicaid Work Incentive, which allows Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to retain their Medicaid coverage even after earning too much to receive cash benefits. It details the specific criteria for establishing and maintaining eligibility, offering practical strategies—such as using ABLE accounts, managing resource limits, and calculating individualized thresholds—to help beneficiaries increase their income without los]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/the-1619-b-medicaid-work-incentive-details-on-strategies-to-establish-and-maintain-eligibility</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4587df9139bd7595ffbb01</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_465088dbaed34cde897283affa2199c0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Two Best Kept Secrets Benefits Counselors Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article details two lesser-known Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provisions that benefits counselors can use to assist clients: the exclusion of Federal Work Study (FWS) earnings and the strategic use of a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). It provides practical case examples demonstrating how beneficiaries can utilize these specific exclusions to fund educational and vocational goals without jeopardizing their essential benefits. ]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/two-best-kept-secrets-benefits-counselors-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a45835a9139bd7595ffb09e</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2024 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_67ef8326023340cdace01a7eca7c309c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts and the Benefits Counselor]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article explores how Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save funds for qualified expenses without jeopardizing their eligibility for means-tested federal benefits like SSI and Medicaid. It also serves as a comprehensive guide for benefits counselors, detailing contribution limits, eligible expenses, and strategies to help beneficiaries use these accounts to achieve greater financial independence. ]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/achieving-a-better-life-experience-able-accounts-and-the-benefits-counselor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a457b5b3711ac3161d926aa</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_af97df515c784655bc1c7f56476c8053~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Obtaining a Social Security or SSI Waiver of Overpayment Recovery]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article provides a detailed guide on how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries can request a waiver for work-related overpayment recovery. It outlines the necessary criteria for waiver approval—such as proving the beneficiary is "without fault"—and offers practical strategies for benefits counselors assisting individuals through the appeals and waiver process.  ]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/obtaining-a-social-security-or-ssi-waiver-of-overpayment-recovery</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4576c55af2dd52aa970dec</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_bdfd1c3790c145eea080fe7604169914~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Reviews: Using the Unsuccessful Work Attempt Policy to Avoid an SGA Determination]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article explains how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries can utilize the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) policy to negate findings of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). It outlines the specific criteria required to classify a short-term work effort as a UWA and provides guidance for benefits counselors assisting beneficiaries with the reporting process.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/substantial-gainful-activity-sga-reviews-using-the-unsuccessful-work-attempt-policy-to-avoid-an-s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a456d0f60c326b155e629d1</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2023 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_0b6418b3890e44998aa406186ece4e78~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Reviews: Using Income Averaging to Avoid an SGA Determination]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article outlines how the Social Security Administration's (SSA) income averaging policy can be used to prevent a beneficiary from losing their benefits due to an apparent, temporary spike in earnings.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/substantial-gainful-activity-sga-reviews-using-income-averaging-to-avoid-an-sga-determination</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3c324e86775c31f8be088c</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_afbda36671a146d691c150d455d9b912~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Substantial Gainful Activity Determinations: Using Paid Time Off as Exclusions When Determining Countable Earnings]]></title><description><![CDATA[The article addresses a critical but often overlooked policy: how Paid Time Off (PTO) can be excluded from gross monthly earnings to reduce "countable earnings" when the Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) review.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/substantial-gainful-activity-determinations-using-paid-time-off-as-exclusions-when-determining-coun</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3c2c4d43356881844633ee</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_305a571a31ef433aa7564f03398552a2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Transition-Aged Youth with Disabilities and Social Security Benefits, with a Focus on Childhood Disability Benefits]]></title><description><![CDATA[This article provides an essential guide on how transition-aged youth with disabilities navigate the shift into adult Social Security benefits. It places a special focus on Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB), outlining eligibility criteria, impact on family dynamics, and critical strategies for preserving vital work incentives during this pivotal life transition.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/transition-aged-youth-with-disabilities-and-social-security-benefits-with-a-focus-on-childhood-disa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a330c7538520286278eeee9</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2022 21:20:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_81b0f6d24cc549c8ac85e8e3fbce90b9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Special Medicaid Eligibility for Childhood Disability Beneficiaries (CDBs): When Medicaid Continues Upon Loss of SSI Due to CDB Eligibility or an Increased CDB Payment Amount]]></title><description><![CDATA[The article details how individuals who lose Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to establishing eligibility for or receiving an increase in Social Security Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) can maintain their Medicaid coverage under Section 1634(c) of the Social Security Act.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/special-medicaid-eligibility-for-childhood-disability-beneficiaries-cdbs-when-medicaid-continues</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3c1d8343356881844612a9</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2022 18:37:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_2e78b62ccc5a4a9e86bae00007ea8dbb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dealing with Social Security and SSI Disability Overpayments ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Receiving an overpayment notice from the Social Security Administration can be overwhelming and confusing. In the first installment of our new Deeper Dive Series, we break down exactly why these overpayments happen, what they mean for your SSI or SSDI benefits, and the immediate, practical steps you can take to address them. Don't panic—get the facts and protect your financial security.]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/dealing-with-social-security-and-ssi-disability-overpayments-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a330581ce85b49c3c4e3411</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:40:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_cec9331fa6a1454abc47bd433ca8dc2e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Medicare Savings Plans: Correcting Misleading Information and Misinformation Related to Income and Resource Eligibility]]></title><description><![CDATA[The article highlights how widespread misinformation on government and non-government websites leads to the wrongful denial or underutilization of Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).]]></description><link>https://www.nabwis.org/post/medicare-savings-plans-correcting-misleading-information-and-misinformation-related-to-income-and-r</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3c184986775c31f8bdcbb8</guid><category><![CDATA[Deeper Dive Series]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2021 18:09:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd2a99_c8e0ed7c8cb743fc9f0ca7a00e0cc0e9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>James R. Sheldon</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>