Benefits Planning
Benefits Planning
Consulting Connection Services (CCS) provides comprehensive, individualized Benefits Planning services to support informed employment decisions for individuals receiving public benefits.
Our work focuses on reducing financial uncertainty and ensuring that individuals, families, and agency partners clearly understand how employment impacts SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, and related supports.
We provide technical, accurate, and actionable analysis — not general advice.
What We Provide
Pre-Employment Benefits Analysis
Before an individual accepts a job or increases hours, CCS conducts a detailed review of:
- Current SSI and/or SSDI status
- Medicaid and Medicare eligibility
- Auxiliary benefits (DAC, CDB, survivors benefits, etc.)
- Housing subsidies and income-based supports
We prepare written Benefits Analysis Reports that outline:
- How specific wage scenarios will affect cash benefits
- Continued healthcare eligibility
- Reporting requirements
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Available work incentives
This allows individuals and VR counselors to make informed employment decisions with clarity and confidence.
Benefits Analysis During Employment
For individuals who are already working, CCS provides:
- Ongoing income impact analysis
- Trial Work Period (TWP) tracking
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) guidance
- 1619(b) Medicaid continuation education
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) monitoring
- Benefit adjustment projections based on earnings
We ensure individuals understand what is happening — and what will happen next — as income changes.
Work Incentive Education & Strategic Use
We provide detailed education and application guidance for work incentives, including:
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
- Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
- Trial Work Period (TWP)
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
- Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)
- Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)
Our goal is not just awareness — but proper and strategic utilization.
Overpayment Resolution & Prevention
Overpayments can create significant financial hardship. CCS provides:
- Overpayment analysis and root cause review
- Guidance on waiver requests
- Assistance with repayment planning
- Documentation preparation
- SSA communication coordination
We also focus on prevention by ensuring accurate reporting and proactive earnings monitoring.
SSA Record Review & Coordination
CCS reviews Social Security records to identify:
- Earnings discrepancies
- Incorrect benefit status
- Unapplied work incentives
- Reporting gaps
When appropriate, we coordinate directly with SSA field offices to resolve issues and ensure records are accurate.
Employment Income Modeling
We provide clear, written wage modeling that outlines:
- Net financial impact of employment
- Break-even analysis
- Long-term income trajectory
- Interaction between earnings and public benefits
This supports informed decision-making for individuals, families, and agency partners.
Who We Serve
CCS provides Benefits Planning services to:
- State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies
- Community Services Boards (CSBs)
- Individuals and Families
- State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies
- Community Services Boards (CSBs)
- Individuals and Families
Our services support successful employment outcomes by removing financial uncertainty as a barrier to work.