Welcome to the Wisconsin Association of Benefit Specialists website!

this website is new to us and will be a work in progress as we move forward. Our end goal is to provide a public space for people to access information that will assist them in connecting to resources for information and assistance with benefit programs such as Medicare and Medicaid as well as Social Security Disability benefit and determination process.

The Wisconsin Association of Benefit Specialists (WABS) is a unique professional organization that began in 1985. "Benefit Specialists" in this sense were originally "Elder Benefit Specialists" (EBS) who operated in Wisconsin County "Aging Units" which were funded primarily through the Older Americans Act dating back to 1965. These County Aging units generally had programs for the elder population such as "Meals on Wheels" which remains a robust program run by county governments. Medicare and Medicaid, two huge government health care programs started in 1965 too. EBS Helped people over age 60 understand and navigate these somewhat complex public benefit programs.

With the advent and development of Wisconsin's Aging and Disability Resource Centers across the state, and the expansion of publicly funded long term care, Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS) positions were created to assist adults with disabilities age 18-59 with benefits such as Social Security Disability programs as well as Medicare and Medicaid benefits. DBS were invited to join WABS in May 2011.

The Mission of the Association is to operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes including, but not limited to, programs and services which substantially carry out the following goals:

• To Advocate statewide standards to promote/protect/improve the position of Benefit Specialist through partnership with DHS, governing bodies of the Aging Network, and other related national organizations, agencies and groups;
• To provide training and promote professional growth to encourage Benefit Specialists to provide the highest possible quality service;
• To promote the development of any and all resources dedicated to preserving, strengthening, and expanding public benefit programs for older and disabled people.

There are approximately 135 members state wide.

We hope you will find this resource useful as we strive to reach more of the consumers we serve for your own needs or the needs of a love one you are helping.

Sincerely,

Jim Coldwell
Disability Benefit Specialist
President, Wisconsin Association of Benefit Specialists