Welcome to NABWIS!
The National Association of Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists (NABWIS) is comprised of the many and varied professionals providing assistance to individuals who receive disability benefits and are working or considering work.
News and Policy Updates
H.R.1 Policy Tracker Now Available!
An H.R.1 policy implementation tracking sheet is now available for reference. This tracker monitors how states and territories plan to implement changes based on the passage of H.R.1, including work r...
SSI Program Issues Updated POMS Policy on ABLE Accounts
On February 26, 2026, the SSI program released an update to POMS SI 01130.740 on Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts. Go to the “News and Policy Updates” page (for members o...
New from ABLE National Resource Center - A Range of Strategies for Funding an ABLE Account: a 2026 Update
The article explains how individuals with disabilities and their families can use multiple funding strategies, such as earnings, family contributions, tax refunds, rollovers, and trust transfers, to b...
Policy Update – May 21, 2025 Obtaining a BPQY – How Do I Get It? How Soon Will I Get It? How Do I Avoid SSA Fees for Sending It?
The Benefits Planning Query (BPQY), created by SSA, contains comprehensive information about a person’s disability benefits, work status (including work incentives), scheduled medical reviews, a...
Become a Member of the NABWIS Community
Membership Benefits
- Stay Informed with Weekly Updates
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Valuable Resource Hub
- Policy Insights and Analysis
- Professional Community
- Support Your Work with Beneficiaries
- Affordable Professional Resource
- And much more!
What's New at NABWIS?
NABWIS Now Has Two Part-Time Paid Staff
As we approach our 20th anniversary of NABWIS’ incorporation as a not-for-profit agency, we have exciting news to share. In late 2025, we hired a part-time Website Developer. Then in early 2026, we hired a part-time Director of Operations. Our first ever paid staff will make NABWIS stronger and expand what we offer to our nearly 800 NABWIS members.
Meet Vikki Ortiz, the new NABWIS Website Specialist/Developer. Vikki, who will average two to three days per month during 2026, has a wealth of experience developing, maintaining, and editing websites. She currently does this for her employer, Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) and for the Colorado Association of People Supporting Employment First (Colorado APSE). NABWIS is contracting with COEF for Vikki’s services. A major project for Vicki in the next few months is to create an updated website using a new platform that is better suited for what we need and will allow us to create a better user experience for our members. Later this year, Vikki will create a new membership platform that will allow for more efficient tracking of all things related to membership. Moving forward we hope to create new features to improve the website’s role as a resource to NABWIS members.
Meet Jolene Wyler, the new NABWIS Operations Director. At the end of 2025, Jolene retired from her long-time position as WIPA program director at Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. She also retired as the director of the ABLE Utah Program, a position she held for more than four years. Jolene, who will average five to six days per month during 2026, will be no stranger to NABWIS membership. She served on the NABWIS board for more than 12 years. For the past several years, she was our Vice President, and a major part of that role was overseeing everything related to NABWIS membership and the NABWIS.org website. Jolene was also our lead for addressing member questions and concerns submitted through the “Contact Us” link on the NABWIS home page. Jolene has already started working with our new Vice President, Kelley Land, to determine how the two will work together on various NABWIS needs.
We Always Need Member Input. As we move forward, let our Board of Directors and paid staff know how we are doing and how we can improve services to members. Will the new website layout and new features provide a better experience for you and your staff? Would you like to see other new features on the website?
March 2026 NABWIS Leadership Meeting Recording Now Available
The recording and slide deck are now available from the March leadership meeting. Select this link to access the materials.
Deeper Dive Series - A Members Only Resource!
A series of articles on topics aimed to go beyond by NABWIS volunteer authors, board member James R. Sheldon, a Disability Policy Consultant, and NABWIS member Edwin J. Lopez-Soto, Extension Faculty of Cornell’s Yan Tan Institute.
March 2025 "Deeper Dive" now available!
Policy Update June 24th, 2025
ABLE accounts allow persons with disabilities to save and retain assets, without impacting eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, the Medicaid Buy-In for workers, Medicare Savings Programs, and other key federally supported benefits. Savings can be used to pay for Qualified Disability Expenses.
Access the PDF here: Do Not Forget ABLE Accounts!