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TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
- Ticket to Work is a Social Security Administration incentive program (www.socialsecurity.gov/work/aboutticket.html) to help people with disabilities find jobs if they want to go to work.
- SSA has contracted with a private company, MAXIMUS, to perform the day-to- day administration of the Ticket to Work Program.
WHAT IS THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM?
- Most Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries will receive a "ticket" they may use to obtain vocational rehabilitation, employment or other support services from an approved provider of their choice.
- The Ticket to Work program is voluntary.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
All SSI and SSDI disability cash beneficiaries are eligible, except:
- Beneficiaries whose conditions are expected to improve, and who have not had at least one continuing disability review;
- Beneficiaries who have not attained age 18;
- Childhood SSI beneficiaries who have attained age 18, but who have not had a re-determination under the adult disability standard.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WHEN SOMEONE GETS A TICKET?
- This is a voluntary employment-related program.
- When an individual gets a Ticket, they are free to choose when and whether they want to use it.
- If they decide to "assign" it (use it), they take it to a participating Employment Network (EN) in their local area or they can take it to a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agency. (Note: Individuals will receive services from an Employment Network for free. SSA will pay the Employment Networks for successfully helping a beneficiary go to work.)
- When tickets are mailed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a toll free phone number (1-866-968-7842) or TDD phone number (1-866-833-2967) will be mentioned in the packet of materials they receive. Ticket-holders call this number to find out the Employment Networks are in their area. When this number is called, an "Employment Network Coordinator" (ENC) will talk with the beneficiary about their employment needs and then give them the names and contact information of the ENs in their local area.
- Once this happens, Ticket-holders may choose any EN they think can help them the most with getting or keeping a job and the supports they need. They can also go to the State VR Agency for services.
REMOVAL OF BARRIERS
- Most Social Security beneficiaries are protected by Medicare for up to eight years and six months after they go to work. Medicare coverage continues even if an individual no longer receives a monetary benefit from Social Security. Most SSI beneficiaries are eligible for Medicaid, which is a state health benefit. These individuals should contact their state Medicaid office for more information.
- SSA will not conduct a medical review of a person receiving disability benefits if that person is using a Ticket. Benefits can still be terminated if earnings are above limits.
- Starting January 1, 2002, Social Security disability beneficiaries who have received benefits for at least 24 months can not be medically reviewed solely because of work activity. However, regularly scheduled medical reviews can still be performed and, again, benefits terminated if earnings are above the limits.
- If your benefits have ended because of work, and you meet some important conditions, you can request that that SSA start your benefits again without having to file a new application.
For more information, go to the Maximus website: www.yourtickettowork.com/
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by program name: Ticket to Work
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SOURCE: Social Security Administration website and Maximus website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2008
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