I work for an asset building program and I have a few clients with disabilities on SSDI that would like to get into our Individual Development Account (IDA) program, but I've been reluctant to recommend them for fear that they could loose their benefits. I understand IDAs but I need help understanding all the benefits rules. Where do I go for reliable information?

Benefits' planning is a complicated process. For just that reason, the Social Security Administration (SSA) awarded 116 cooperative agreements to a variety of community organizations called Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) projects. These BPAO projects provide all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities access to benefits planning and assistance services. All BPAOs receive specialized training and certification from SSA.

The Goal of the BPAO Program

The goal of the Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) Program is to better enable SSA's beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work. Each BPAO Project has Benefits Specialists who will:

• Provide work incentives planning and assistance to SSA's beneficiaries with disabilities
• Conduct outreach efforts to those beneficiaries (and their families), who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives programs; and
• Work in cooperation with Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities

Remember, providing the tools (frequently inexpensive or free) that allow participant's success in your program will benefit both people with various needs, as well as increase your program's success rate. Often, it is just a matter of creative problem solving.

To find your nearest BPAO: http://www.ssa.gov/work/ServiceProviders/BPAODirectory.html

Also, see our Resources section for more benefits-related websites.