Social Security’s Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and are considering returning to work — or maybe working for the first time — chances are you’re wondering how that extra income will affect your benefits.
For example:
Will the amount of your monthly benefit change?
Will your benefit immediately stop?
Will you lose your Medicare or Medicaid?
Well, good news! There are a number of resources that can help you make an informed decision about whether working is the right choice for you. Benefits counseling is a great place to start.
Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. If you qualify for this free and voluntary program, you will work with service providers to receive the supports and services you need to find and maintain employment.
How Does it Work?
The Ticket Program is a good fit for people who want to improve their earning potential and are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workforce. The Ticket Program connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job and be successful at work. Authorized Ticket Program service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, provide services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, job placement assistance and training. The service provider you choose will serve as an important part of your “employment team” to help you on your journey to financial independence
EN are private or public organizations that can help with career counseling and assistance with job placement, including helping you understand how working may affect your benefits. Many ENs serve the communities and states in which they are located. However, others provide services to people in multiple states. Working with
an EN depends on the specific organization, but can be done in person, over the phone or even virtually. ENs can also provide long-term support to help you find, keep and advance in a job. If you decide to receive services from a particular EN and they agree to work with you, you will work with that provider to complete an Individual Work Plan (IWP). Then you sign the IWP and “assign” your Ticket to that EN for the time that you are receiving services from them.
Agencies usually work with individuals who need more significant services to return to work or to work for the first time. In some states, this includes intensive training, education (sometimes including college courses), medical treatment and rehabilitation services, durable medical equipment or vehicle modification or repair. They may also provide career counseling, job placement assistance and counseling on how working may affect benefits. If
you want to receive services from your state VR agency, you work with the agency to complete an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). When you sign the IPE, this puts your Ticket “in use” with the VR.
Projects are organizations familiar with programs in your community. These organizations are authorized by Social Security to provide free benefits counseling to eligible Social Security disability beneficiaries to help you make informed
choices about work.
Organizations represent eligible beneficiaries to remove barriers to successful employment and will help you understand your rights regarding conditions of employment.
Benefits counseling is a free service offered by many Ticket to Work (Ticket) program service providers to explain how working will affect your federal and state benefits, including
You can learn about Work Incentives on your own, but a Benefits Counselor can offer you expert guidance based on your specific circumstances.
The Ticket program offers you a choice of more than 700 service providers. Some providers serve people nationwide while others work at the regional or local levels. Many of these providers offer access to benefits counseling in addition to other employment support services:
A third type of provider, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects, are organizations funded by Social Security to provide free benefits counseling to all Social Security beneficiaries, regardless of whether they are participating in the Ticket program. WIPA projects are staffed by Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC). CWICs provide individualized, in-depth counseling about working, earning more money and how working may affect your Social Security, healthcare and other public benefits.
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