Addendum to the Supporting Statement for 0960-0629

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects (formerly known as Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) Program)

OMB 0960–0629

Revision to the Collection Instrument

We seek clearance of the revised, previously approved BPAO forms. The titles of the forms represent the only change from what was previously approved. The reason for the change is as follows:

In May 2006, the Social Security Administration issued a new competitive Request for Application (RFA) for the former Benefits Planning Assistance and outreach Program (BPAO). Because of an increased emphasis on work incentives, return to work supports and jobs for beneficiaries, the Program was renamed the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program. It became effective September 30, 2006 with awards to 99 projects in 49 States. However, SSA did not receive sufficient qualifying proposals to provide full national coverage

In October 2006, SSA issued a new RFA for areas not covered by the awards made in September. The new RFA solicitation closed on December 15, 2006. SSA expects to make awards to assure nationwide coverage shortly.

Prior editions of the form, entitled BPAO are obsolete in heading only. New WIPA awardees that may have served as BPAO programs under previous awards may use the previous version until supplies are exhausted after which the versions containing the new title of the program will be used.

At this time SSA is unable to furnish the Internet screens for the WIPA project. SSA expects to hire a contractor to create the screens and host them on the Internet for the purpose of this three-year project. The contractor will complete the screens after SSA receives OMB approval. The enclosed WIPA versions of these Internet applications are mock-ups of what the Internet screens will look like once the contractor finalizes them.