This emergency message informs you of the termination of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program effective June 30, 2012 and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program effective September 29, 2012. Established under Sections 1149 and 1150 of the Social Security Act of 1999, these programs are terminating because our authority to fund them has expired.But defunding these programs makes sense, since they're not working.
I have to disagree with you on this one, at least with respect to PABBS and WIPA. It is true that the percentage of beneficiaries who can benefit from the current work incentive programs is small. However, those who can benefit from work incentive programs need guidance because the programs are currently so complex.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main functions of WIPA and PABBS is to provide that specialized guidance to beneficiaries who can benefit from the work incentive programs. As long as the work incentive programs are in place, PABBS, WIPA or something like them needs to be there to offer guidance to beneficiaries who will have difficulty understanding them otherwise.
I'm not saying the work incentive programs don't need a serious overhaul. My point is that, given what they are now, we should not get rid of the two main groups that are skilled at explaining the programs and guiding beneficiaries who can use them.