Benefits Planner

Benefits Planner, Contract Basis, Part-Time Position,

Work is Provided When Customers are referred to the Provider via an Overarching Organization

Summary

The PA OVR Benefits Planner provides specialized, individualized benefits planning and work incentives counseling to individuals with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and are seeking competitive integrated employment through the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Benefits planning services are considered an integral component in the development of employment goals. The Benefits Planner assists customers in identifying the potential impact of employment in the pursuit of independence.

Required Credentials Applicants must possess and maintain at least one of the following active/current certifications:

A. Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC)

• Certified individuals employed by organizations under contract to, and affiliated with, a local Work Incentive Planning & Assistance (WIPA) agency.
• Training and certification provided through Virginia Commonwealth University National Training & Data Center (VCU/NTDC).
• Must participate in annual required trainings provided through VCU/NTDC.
• Must secure 18 certification hours annually to maintain CWIC credentials.

B. Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor (CPWIC)

• Certified individuals employed by community partner organizations.
• Training and certification provided through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
• Certification maintained through annual certification credits through VCU/NTDC.
• Must secure 18 certification hours annually to maintain CPWIC credentials.

C. Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C™)

• Individual practitioners who complete the Cornell University Work Incentives Planning & Utilization for Benefit Practitioners Online Certificate course.
• Must earn 60 continuing education credits within a five-year period to maintain credentials.
• PA OVR requires that benefits planners with this certification demonstrate at least 30 CEU credits (of the 60 required) within 36 months of certification.
• Must provide documentation that all 60 credits are completed within the 5-year timeframe as established by Cornell.

Duties included in the position:

Benefits Consultation is designed as a service to address the concerns and questions of OVR applicants who express an interest in employment. Benefits Consultation is provided on an individual basis to assist individuals with disabilities in understanding benefits and services currently utilized to live independently.Duties include:

• Conduct virtual meetings between the identified OVR customer, the benefits planning professional, and the OVR Counselor.
• Gather detailed demographic information from the customer.
• Secure required consents for information.
• Review current benefits and customer concerns.
• Identify potential work incentives and possible vocational goal(s).
• Address the concerns and questions of OVR applicants who express an interest in employment.
• Obtain and analyze the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from the Social Security Administration.
• Help customers in understanding benefits and services currently utilized to live independently.
• Prepare and deliver a summary report to the customer and the referring OVR Counselor.

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• Address employment-related changes.
• Review wage reporting discrepancies.
• Address overpayment concerns or issues.
• Review Ticket to Work (TTW) incentives.

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• Conduct virtual meetings to review information with the customer and ensure required documents are included.
• Develop and submit the PASS application to the Social Security Administration.
• Manage the PASS submission and appeal process.

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• Conduct virtual meetings to review information with the customer.
• Advise customer on their appeal rights.
• Provide a plan and supports to assist customer with avoiding additional overpayment issues in the future.
• Complete and submit appeal paperwork.
• Advocate with Social Security to ensure the timely processing of the appeal.

Virtual Service Provision Requirements

The Benefits Planner uses audio and video communication technology to provide tele-support services to customers. All communication must adhere to established HIPAA guidelines for privacy and confidentiality.

Billing and Administrative Requirements

• Submit billing invoices and reports within the timeframes defined for each service.
• No payment will be authorized for travel time and/or missed appointments.
• Services authorized on an OVR PO but not provided within 90 days from the PO issuance date will be cancelled.
• Bill OVR for services rendered within 30 days of the date that the service is provided.
• Documentation listed must accompany each billing request for full payment. OVR may refuse payment for services that have not been properly documented or for incomplete or sub-standard services.

ADA Compliance

Benefits planning must be provided in a manner that supports the participant's communication style and needs and shall meet, at a minimum, what is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $40.00 per hour

License/Certification:

• Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) Certification (Required)
• Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor (CPWIC) Cert (Required)
• Work Incentive Practitioner (WIP-C™) Certificate (Required)

Location:

• Pennsylvania (Required)

Work Location: Remote