Benefits Counseling is a service that assists individuals who receive Social Security disability benefits and other public support benefits. The goal is to help individuals understand how work affects any government benefits they receive while working.

Benefits Counselors have specialized training in Social Security work incentives and procedures, as well as other related benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare / Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and housing. A Benefits Counselor can:
• Help you establish an earnings goal
• Help you keep your benefits while working
• Help you understand how work can impact any current state assistance you may be receiving
• Keep in touch as you progress towards your employment goal
• Help you report your earnings to Social Security

Benefits Counseling is available to Social Security Disability beneficiaries who are working or are actively looking for work — including individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). For those looking to work full-time, Benefits Counseling can be a precursor to Social Security’s Ticket to Work program.

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Ticket to Work program supports career development for adults (ages 18-64) who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. JFCS is a registered Employment Network through the SSA. We can support eligible individuals who want to work full-time or increase their earnings – and in turn decrease their reliance on Social Security benefits. JFCS can help Ticket to Work participants with:

• Career Planning
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Career Advancement
• Understanding Social Security Letters
• Safeguarding Medicare/Medicaid Benefits
• Protection from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)
• Self-Advocacy