H.R. 6061: The WIPA and PABSS Continuation of Services Act of 2012
H.R. 6061: The WIPA and PABSS Continuation of Services Act of 2012, would extend two expiring programs that support return-to-work efforts by Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries.
SSA funds two community-based programs called WIPA and PABSS. WIPA helps Social Security and SSI disability beneficiaries understand SSA’s complex work incentives, so they can test their ability to work without fearing a catastrophic loss of economic security if their attempt fails. PABSS provides legal advocacy services to beneficiaries they may need to obtain or maintain employment. Further descriptions are at the end of this email.
The bill is supported by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Task Force on Social Security (an umbrella coalition of disability advocates), the National Disability Rights Network (on behalf of the protection and advocacy community), Easter Seals, and many individual WIPA programs in local communities.
Funding for WIPA expires at the end of this month, and expires for PABSS at the end of September. For months we’ve been working behind the scenes with the majority, SSA and most recently the White House and OMB, to try to either move legislation to extend the programs or convince SSA that it can and should do so using the agency’s existing legal authority.
Unfortunately, these efforts have come to naught. While Subcommittee Chairman Johnson appears to support the programs, he has been either unwilling or unable to move a bill. And to date, SSA has continued to tell us it cannot extend them administratively.
As a result, Congressman Becerra is moving ahead to introduce legislation that would permanently authorize WIPA and PABSS and demonstrate our commitment to these important work-support programs.
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