Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to many of the frequently asked questions about BenefitU and the services we offer. For additional information, please email support@benefitu.org and we will get back to you at our earliest opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions Section Links
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about BenefitU and our services.
The following links can be used to take you directly to the specific section of the BenefitU FAQs.
BenefitU Program (General)
BenefitU Services Offered
No. BenefitU is a benefits planning service and resource provided by Wise and funded through the Washington Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) that assists people with developmental disabilities and their support team to navigate and manage their Social Security cash and public health benefits.
BenefitU is funded by the Washington Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and does not have a cost to customers who are eligible for our services.
Currently, BenefitU’s planning services are conducted remotely over Zoom or by phone. To allow us to serve as many people as possible, we do not offer in-person services.
If you have an accommodation need, please include this in your intake or email support@benefitu.org.
BenefitU planning services are available to people aged 14 years or older who are enrolled with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). This includes people who are eligible for DDA but are not currently receiving any services.
If you are not eligible for BenefitU’s services, we have provided other options in Washington State under the ‘Get Help’ page on the BenefitU website.
Our Benefit Planners are here to help you better understand your benefits, address specific situations, and explore your options. Their role includes:
- Exploring options to resolve overpayments
- Addressing loss of benefits
- Helping you understand your benefits and key rules that may affect them
- Sharing information about options to save more money without losing benefits
- Reviewing how changes in employment (new job, raise, or job loss, etc.) may affect benefits.
- Assisting with benefits planning during major life changes such as marriage, divorce, death of a parent, retirement, or having children.
- Exploring work incentives that may help you work more and stay eligible for your benefits
- Answering general questions and inquiries about disability-related benefits
Although we can assist you with many of you needs and questions, there are a few things that BenefitU cannot do on behalf of our customers:
- Completing or submitting applications or other documentation for or related to Social Security and other public benefit agencies.
- Provide tax related advice or referrals
- Provide legal advice or referrals
- Calling Social Security on your behalf
No. BenefitU planners are unable to complete or submit documents on your behalf. This does not mean that you’ll be left to figure this out on your own. What we can provide is guidance on what information to include in your correspondence or applications related to benefits.
BenefitU is happy to share any information that we can about public housing but because specific rules may vary from one housing authority to another, we may not always have the answer. For a list of Housing Authority locations and resources, please click here.
Requesting Benefits Planning Support
Intakes for BenefitU Benefits Planning Services can be scheduled under the ‘Intake & Scheduling‘ page on the BenefitU website. No pre-referral is needed.
Yes, it’s necessary to schedule an intake appointment for all questions, including quick ones. This allows us to gather all the essential information to provide accurate answers. To schedule a new customer intake, please click here.
Currently, BenefitU’s planning services are conducted remotely over Zoom or by phone. To allow us to serve as many people as possible, we do not offer in-person services.
If you have an accommodation need, please include this in your intake or email support@benefitu.org.
Yes. If you need an interpreter, BenefitU will schedule one for you. If you need an interpreter, please select the appropriate ‘Intake Request with an Interpreter’ and state the needed language. We can schedule both spoken language and ASL interpreters.
We do ask that you let us know at least 72 hours in advance for any cancellations where an interpreter has been scheduled so we have time to cancel the interpreter request without penalty.
Please use the name and information of the person eligible for our services on the intake forms. If it’s preferable to the eligible person, you can include a different point of contact’s email and/or phone number.
If you are an advocate or family support, please be sure to discuss adding you and any other team members names and company to the Release of Information form you will be sent after scheduling an intake.
The Benefits Planning Process
When meeting with BenefitU it is helpful to have the following information available:
- Clear goals, questions, or specific needs that you would like support with
- Any relevant letters or relevant correspondence from Social Security
- Paystubs or summary of your wages, along with details about your employment and pay rates
- Insurance cards or knowledge or insurance coverage and dates
- Documents related to any work incentives that may be in place (subsidy or special conditions, IRWE, PASS plans, etc.)
- If applicable, the contact information of key people who are familiar with your benefits and needs (job coach, family, friend, advocate, paid assistants)
In many cases we can connect you to a benefits planner within about 2 weeks following an intake, but this can vary based on number of referrals and planner availability. In some situations, we may also need to request and receive documents or information from Social Security before proceeding with planning.
The BenefitU team will do their best to communicate what to expect and if there will be any changes in connection time following your intake.
Our services are intended to be short-term coaching and planning. We recommend having a list of goals or needs outlined in your intake paperwork so that we can make the most efficient use of your time and help you get back to what matters most in your life!
The duration of benefit planning can vary significantly based on factors such as individual needs, available information, and team availability. For relatively straightforward situations, it may be possible to address them in one to two meetings, while more complex cases could take several months to resolve.
Social Security’s response time can vary, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even longer to reach a decision. Because of this, we will generally close out services after you’ve submitted the necessary documentation and addressed any other needs or questions.
If you have additional needs or questions following a ruling from Social Security, we recommend scheduling a ‘Return Customer Intake’ with us via the ‘Intake and Scheduling’ page on the BenefitU website, and we will reconnect you with a planner as soon as possible.
After your services are completed, we may keep your file open for up to 90 days to address any additional needs that may arise. During this time, you can contact the planner you’ve previously worked with for support without requiring a new referral.
If new needs emerge in the future, please schedule a return customer intake using the beneficiary’s name and the primary email used when initially requesting services. Our team will review your request and connect you with a planner as soon as possible. You can schedule a return customer intake here.
When to Talk With a Planner
We encourage people to think of benefits planning like other financial planning strategies. Being proactive and talking with a planner prior to an increase can be beneficial, as they can help you know what to consider and what to expect related to benefits impact.
Additionally, we encourage beneficiaries, families, and support providers to check out the resources and information provided at www.BenefitU.org.
We do our best to prioritize urgent issues but may not always have the ability to jump in immediately due to capacity. If you have a time sensitive need, please be sure to include that when completing your intake forms and attach any letters or other documentation that may help us have a clear understanding of your situation.
We would be happy to help you to better understand your benefits and any terminology that is unclear. You can schedule an intake with us at this link or by exploring the tools and resources on www.BenefitU.org.