Benefits Counseling
There are numerous programs available to people with disabilities. Navigating the system and understanding eligibility requirements for various financial benefits, social security, disability insurance, and work incentives can seem complicated, but our experienced staff are available to help guide individuals toward personal and professional goals while maintaining the best possible combination of financial supports.
In addition to general benefits counseling for individuals with disabilities, our benefits programs include the following:
- Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) -- Many individuals would like to work, but are worried they might lose essential benefits if they have earnings. The Mid-New York BPAO Project is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is designed to provide individuals who receive SSA disability benefits with information about work incentives that allow them to keep some or all of their medical and cash benefits. Our specially trained staff can walk you through work incentives, rules, programs, and the effects of earnings on other state and federal benefits so you can make informed choices while transitioning to work.
- Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities -- Are you currently working or would you like to work without losing your Medicaid benefits? Would you like to save more money and keep your benefits? Are you presently paying a spenddown and would rather pay a premium for healthcare coverage? The Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities offers you the chance to keep your health care coverage through Medicaid while earning more income than was previously allowed. Our Benefits Counseling staff will work with you to determine eligibility and benefits details based on your individual circumstances. For more information on the program, visit the New York State Department of Health Medicaid Buy-In web page.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) -- If you work, you may be eligible for this (and other) work-based tax incentives. The EITC is a refundable Federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The credit reduces the amount of Federal tax owed and, for those who claim and qualify for the credit, can result in a refund check that is sometimes more than what's been paid in taxes. Our EITC program, developed in partnership with the United Way, not only provides benefits counseling, but also offers free financial education classes and free tax preparation assistance to our local community -- so you can take full advantage of your refund (usually available within days) without going through companies that charge high interest rates for refund-anticipation loans.
Contact RCIL for more information.