Work Incentive Specialist Advocacy Services
We work with deaf and hard of hearing individuals to allow them to make plans for the future
We can answer questions and help you learn along the way to assist you in transitioning to greater independence.
Work Incentive Specialist Advocacy (WISA) practitioners work with individuals, family members, and advocates to provide an explanation of current benefits, allowing the individual to make informed decisions regarding developing their personal plans for employment.
Our qualified team member has been trained and certified to meet your needs. Practitioner and Co-Founder of Branches of Life, Shirley Hedeen, has been WISA certified through Cornell University and is a nationally certified sign language interpreter.
Are WISA Services Right For Me?
Do you have questions or concerns like those listed below? If so, you may benefit from WISA Services.
We can answer your SSI/SSDI questions, like
- How will working impact my benefits?
- Will my SSI/SSDI payments change or stop?
- What will happen to my Medicare/Medicaid insurance benefits?
We’ll help you learn about income reporting
If you got a letter from the Social Security Administration regarding an overpayment, or if you are unsure about how to report monthly earnings, we can help.
We’ll explore work incentives
Often, there are options to assist you in transitioning to greater self-sufficiency and independence. We’ll explore them together.
What We Provide
- In-depth personalized benefits review covering federal, state, and local benefits
- Counseling about the effects of working on your federal, state, and local benefits with a comprehensive WorkWORLD report
- Assistance with identifying, utilizing, and managing work incentives
- Assistance resolving problems related to benefits
- Referrals for needed services or supports, with particular emphasis on meeting employment needs
- Training and support on effective reporting procedures and benefits management
- Coordination with members of your employment support team
We Make WISA Easy
When you’re ready to work with our specialist,
we’re here