WASHINGTON — Virginia’s congressional delegation is seeking answers from the Social Security Administration (SSA) after the agency abruptly ended funding for a Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) program that provides training and support to disability benefits counselors nationwide.
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, raised concerns about the October 2 decision not to renew VCU’s contract to operate the National Training and Data Center (NTDC), which supports the federal Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program.
The lawmakers sent a letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano requesting an explanation for the decision and details about how the agency plans to maintain services previously provided through the center.
The NTDC provides training, certification and technical assistance to more than 900 Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) serving people with disabilities through 74 WIPA projects across the country. Following the contract decision, SSA directed VCU to immediately stop its work, leaving the projects without access to key training resources, certification services and performance data.
The WIPA program helps people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) understand how employment and earnings could affect their benefits. Counselors provide free, individualized guidance to help beneficiaries explore employment while understanding the rules governing their benefits.
In their letter, the lawmakers said eliminating the NTDC could undermine the program’s ability to provide reliable guidance and questioned how SSA would meet its responsibilities under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
Congress appropriated $23 million for WIPA in fiscal year 2026. The lawmakers argued that ending the center’s services despite that funding raises questions about the agency’s commitment to maintaining the program.
They also highlighted concerns about the disruption of the WIPA STAR system, which projects use to track and submit quarterly performance data required to maintain federal grant status.
The lawmakers asked SSA to explain why and when the decision was made, what training and certification resources remain available, whether reporting deadlines will be extended and how the agency plans to replace the services VCU provided.
They also asked whether SSA intends to bring the work in-house or seek another contractor.
The lawmakers asked SSA to explain the decision, identify available training and certification resources, address disruptions to performance reporting and outline plans to restore the services, either through VCU, an in-house operation or a new contractor.
They requested responses by November 16, 2026. SSA’s response was not included in the announcement.
The full letter is available through the lawmakers’ offices.
