Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner

Benefits Advisement and Employment supports

Emily Koester

Originally receiving the Work Incentive Practitioner Credential(WIP-C) certification through Cornell University in 2014, Emily Koester is in her ninth year in the field of Social Security Benefits Advising and has over a decade of experience in social service supports. Emily has extensive experience working with people with disabilities and chronic health conditions and has a Masters in Counseling from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Currently, Emily lives in New York State and works with beneficiaries of Social Security benefits (SSI and SSDI) who are engaged in the Ticket to Work program.

In addition to the WIP-C certification, Emily is a Veteran Work Incentives Practitioner and assists Veterans with return to work while navigating Veteran Benefits such as Compensation, Pension, and VA Health Care and service-connected disability ratings. While not an accredited attorney (unable to assist with completion of VA required forms), Emily can assist with referrals to legal clinics and pro-bono veteran legal services for assistance with discharge upgrades and other VA paperwork.

Emily leads workshops, training sessions, and outreach events for non-profits and community groups in order to educate beneficiaries and service providers about Social Security Work Incentives. She is also available for short term contracted services (less than 12 months) as Benefits Advisement Mentor at for profit and non-profit businesses that are working to expand their Benefits Support Programs and their Ticket to Work services.

At this time, Emily works with Ticket to Work clients through a 100% distance program. This allows her to work with clients all across the United States. Workshops, Training, and Consultation opportunities can be scheduled via online platforms or in person (based on location and travel schedule).