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Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Wisconsin Works (W-2) Manual |
9.6.2.1 SSI/SSDI Transition Plan
9.6.2.2 Developing the SSI/SSDI Transition Plan
The case manager may begin to develop a written Transition Plan with the participant early in the SSI advocacy process using the automated SSI/SSDI Transition Plan.
The Transition Plan must be developed during a meeting between the FEP and the participant. Once there is a formal decision handed down from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding eligibility for SSI/SSDI, the Transition Plan should be finalized with the participant. The final Transition Plan should be issued to the participant no sooner than 90 days prior to W-2 eligibility ending and reviewed regularly with the participant up until W-2 eligibility ends. The FEP must document in PIN comments when the final plan was printed and given to the participant.
Circumstances will vary greatly from one family to another, which will require case managers to be resourceful as they work through the plan with the participant. Areas of need that should be addressed include:
· Emergency needs;
· Housing needs;
· Household budgeting and/or money management needs;
· Access to economic supports;
· Education and training needs for the participant and other family members;
· Legal assistance needs;
· Employment support needs with particular emphasis on work connection resources targeted at individuals with disabilities;
· Child care needs for job search and work;
· Transportation needs;
· Personal and family health care needs; and
· Other needs identified by the participant.
The Transition Plan must include, at a minimum, the following elements for each need that is identified:
1. A plan of action. A short-term plan of action should help the participant address an emergency or short-term needs. A long-term plan of action includes the steps necessary to carry out a goal towards self-sufficiency, such as completing an education or training program or securing permanent housing.
2. Resource and referral information for any known government and community resources that may help to address a participant's need. The Transition Plan should explain the purpose of each resource and how it addresses or relates to the participant’s identified need(s).
A W-2 worker must never enter confidential information in the SSI/SSDI Transition Plan in WWP. See 4.2.2.1 for a listing of confidential information that must never be entered on WWP pages without the additional security protections.
Important Topics to Cover in the SSI/SSDI Transition Plan
1. Benefits and supportive services targeted at individuals with disabilities, including recipients of SSI/SSDI. Examples include:
a. Ticket to Work:
The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for individuals with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The Ticket to Work Program is designed to remove many of the barriers that influence people’s decisions about working because of the concerns over losing health care coverage. The goal of the Ticket to Work Program is to increase opportunities and choices for SSDI to obtain employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services from public and private providers, employers, and other organizations. To access a list of Ticket to Work providers in Wisconsin, see the SSA Ticket to Work webpage.
b. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR):
· Provides employment services and counseling to people with disabilities;
· Provides or arranges for services to enable an individual to go to work; and
· Provides training and technical assistance to employers regarding disability employment issues.
A person is presumed eligible for DVR services if they are receiving SSDI or SSI and want to work. DVR service locations, see the DVR services for job seekers webpage.
c. Independent Living Centers (ILC):
Wisconsin ILCs are community based, consumer directed, nonprofit organizations. ILCs are nonresidential organizations serving persons of any age with any disabilities in all 72 Wisconsin counties. Unique in the world of human services, ILCs are governed and operated by a board and staff composed of a majority of people with disabilities. At a minimum, all ILCs funded through a contract with a designated state entity are required to provide these core services:
· Peer Support – staff and trained volunteers provide support, encouragement, and guidance for individuals with disabilities;
· Information and Referrals – one-stop shopping for information related to disability or services for individuals with disabilities, families, employers, and the community;
· Independent Living Skills Training – assessment and training for people with disabilities in areas such as money management, housekeeping, communication, self-advocacy, prevocational skills and socialization; and
· Individual and Systems Advocacy – consistent with the philosophy of independent living, individuals with disabilities are empowered to advocate for themselves. In addition, ILCs can engage in activities designed to create positive change in local, state, and federal systems affecting individuals with disabilities.
· Services that facilitate the transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life.
For more information about these centers and where they are located, see the DHS Independent Living Center webpage.
d. Application Information for Caretaker Supplement (CTS):
Wisconsin’s CTS is a cash benefit available to parents who are eligible for SSI payments. Individuals can apply for CTS over the phone, by mail, or at a local agency. Applications can also be submitted in ACCESS when applying for health care or Foodshare benefits. More information on what CTS is, benefit amounts, and how to apply, see the DHS Caretaker Supplement Benefit webpage.
e. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):
ADRCs are service centers that provide a place for the public to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability. These centers are friendly, welcoming places that anyone can contact to receive information and assistance regarding not only the public benefits that may be available, but all of the programs and services available throughout the area.
Individuals, concerned families or friends, or professionals working with issues related to aging, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders can receive information specifically tailored to each person's situation. ADRC services can be provided at a center, via telephone, or through a home visit, whichever is more convenient to the individual seeking help. For more information on what services are provided and ADRC locations, see the DHS Aging and Disability Resource Centers webpage.
2. Government-funded economic supports, including but not limited to:
a. CTS;
b. FoodShare;
c. BadgerCare Plus – for dependent children of the SSI/SSDI recipient;
d. Child Support;
e. Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program – for individuals who plan to work in unsubsidized employment or attend job skills training while employed; and
f. Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).
3. Community-based supportive services that may address unmet needs and prevent crisis situations from arising. Examples include:
a. Subsidized housing programs;
b. Household budgeting/money management services;
c. Transportation services;
d. Legal assistance services;
e. Mental health and AODA services;
f. Domestic violence services;
g. Adult literacy services; and
h. Other services, including volunteer organizations.
History: Release 25-04; Release 23-05; Release 20-03.