Fort Wayne's Guide for Special Needs Parents
Navigating the System. Supporting the Journey.
Halo's Hands provides step-by-step navigation and a complete resource directory for special needs parents in Fort Wayne, Indiana. From perinatal support to adult transitions, get personalized guidance through Medicaid, SSI, respite care and essential family services.
Understanding Work Incentives
These “work incentives” allow your teen to earn income, gain experience, and move toward financial independence without losing the healthcare coverage and support they need.
Student Earned Income Exclusion
(SEIE)
The Student Earned Income Exclusion allows students under age 22 to exclude earned income from SSI calculations. This means your teen can work and earn money while keeping their full SSI benefit. (Can earn up to $8,230 per year (2026 limit)
Eligibility:
• Must be under age 22
• Must attend school at least 15 hours per week (high school, vocational school, college, or other accredited institution)
Important: Once your child turns 22 or stops attending school, SEIE ends.
Impairment Related Work Expenses
(IRWE)
IRWE allows your teen to deduct costs related to their disability that are necessary for them to work. These expenses are subtracted from their earnings before SSI is calculated, so they keep more of their work earnings.
What Expenses Can Be Deducted:
• Specialized transportation (not regular public transportation)
• Medical equipment or devices needed for work
• Work-related modifications to home or vehicle
• Job coaching or training
• Prosthetics, orthotics, or mobility aids needed for work
Expenses must be:
• Directly related to your teen’s disability
• Necessary for your teen to work
• Not covered by insurance or other sources
• Reasonable and documented
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
PASS allows your teen to set aside income and resources for a specific work-related goal without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. Once you reach your goal, you use the money for its intended purpose.
What Goals Can PASS Support:
• Vocational training or certification programs
• College or post-secondary education
• Starting a business
• Purchasing equipment needed for work
• Obtaining a driver’s license for work
• Obtaining assistive technology for employment
Ticket to Work Program
The Ticket to Work Program allows your teen to work and continue receiving SSI or SSDI benefits and Medicaid for an extended period, even if their work earnings would normally cause benefits to stop.
Timeline:
• Your teen can work for up to 93 months (over 7 years) with continued benefits protection
• Benefits continue during this time, even if earnings are high
• If your teen’s work doesn’t succeed, they can return to benefits without reapplying
Getting Your Ticket:
Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.choosework.ssa.gov to request your Ticket to Work. You can also visit your local Social Security office.
Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Vocational Rehabilitation is a free state program that helps teens and young adults with disabilities train for, find, and keep a job. It's separate from the SSI work incentives above.
If your child is 14–22 and still in school, they can get Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS) - job exploration, workplace readiness training, and hands on work experience. No IEP or 504 required.
Once your teen turns 16, they can also self-refer directly. A school doesn't need to be involved.
Phone: 1-800-545-7763
DDARS: Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
Fort Wayne Office
201 E. Rudisill Blvd., Suite 300
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Phone: 260-424-1595
Toll-Free: 877-715-5292 (V/VRS/711)
Email: vrfortwayne.vr@fssa.in.gov
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects provide FREE counseling to help you understand how work will affect SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid benefits. WIPA counselors are benefits experts trained specifically in work incentives.
What WIPA Counselors Can Do:
• Explain how work will affect your specific benefits
• Help you plan PASS goals
• Identify IRWE expenses
• Explain Ticket to Work options
• Answer questions about Student Earned Income Exclusion
• Connect you with employment resources
• Provide written benefit analysis
Toll Free: 1-855-641-8382
TTY: 1-800-743-3333
Fax: 317-516-6592
Email: IndianaWorks@AspireIndiana.org