VCU RRTC

Work Incentive Planning & Assistance National Training Center (WIPA-NTC)

Web site:   http://www.vcu-ntc.org

To achieve its mission the WIPA program uses a highly skilled and rigorously trained cadre of certified Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) to provide individual counseling to beneficiaries seeking employment and intensive follow-up services to ensure that the beneficiaries are connected to employment service programs in their community, and that they are communicating their work activities to the Social Security Administration. CWICs in local WIPA programs work with individual beneficiaries to explain the myriad of regulations, provisions, work incentives and special programs that can affect an individual’s decision to enter or reenter the workforce.

VCU’s NTDC operates a comprehensive program of training, certification, technical assistance and continuing education to support over 300 CWICs working in the 74 WIPA programs across the country. These CWICs must successfully complete the NTDC’s distance-based training and certification prior to providing services to beneficiaries. After achieving certification CWICs have access to NTDC technical assistance and complete an annual continuing certification process. Individuals interested in participating in NTDC training activities or accessing our extensive resource library can do so through our website.

In addition, the NTDC offers the two week web course “Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs Web Course (Introductory Web Course)” multiple times throughout the year. The self-paced course provides basic information on the Social Security disability benefit programs and important work incentives that assist beneficiaries as they pursue their employment goals. All NTDC trainings are available at no cost to participants. Additional information can be found on the NTDC website under the training tab.