Critical Issues > The Ticket to Work

November 19, 2004

Introduction

The Ticket to Work Program is a Social Security Administration (SSA) initiative to help people with disabilities that are receiving SSI or SSDI return to work. The Ticket Program is designed to provide consumers with greater choice in receiving the employment services they need. The goal of the program is to help consumers earn enough money so that they will not need to depend on Social Security cash benefits. People on SSI or SSDI who are between the ages of 18 and 65 are eligible to receive a Ticket. The Ticket has the individual’s name on it, directions on using the ticket, and a toll free number to locate Employment Networks/ENs (1-866-YOURTICket). It is mailed or issued to consumers. An individual can assign their Ticket to an EN of their choice to receive employment services that are needed to return to work.

Information for Consumers

• The Ticket Program is voluntary: if a consumer doesn’t want to, they don’t have to use their Ticket; a consumer can keep their Ticket and use it some time in the future
• One can request a Ticket from MAXIMUS (see contact information below) if a Ticket has not been received or issued through the mail
• A consumer can take their Ticket back and stop working with an EN if dissatisfaction is experienced, even after a plan has been signed; the consumer has the control
• If a consumer is unhappy with their EN and they have not been able to work things out, they can call their local Protection &Advocacy System (see contact information below)
• An EN can choose not to work with a consumer
• Whether one chooses to use their Ticket or not, additional SSA work incentives now exist to help consumers return to work while protecting their health benefits; BPA&Os (Benefits Planning Assistance & Outreach programs) are an excellent resource (see contact information below)
• When a consumer's Ticket is in use there are no Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) as long as there is a demonstration of timely progress

Employment Networks (ENs)

Employment Networks can be a government agency, a private agency or even a business willing to assist a consumer in obtaining and maintaining employment sufficient enough to leave the benefit rolls. ENs elect which specific services they want to offer, which people they are capable of serving, and in which geographic area. ENs are organizations that are responsible for providing the services an individual needs to become employed at no cost. Getting a Ticket doesn’t mean that a consumer will have to change where they’re receiving employment services. If the current employment program is an EN, the consumer can use their Ticket at that program.

Examples of ENs include: VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities), One Stop Centers, Community Mental Health Employment Programs and other agencies and offices. Consumers can contact and talk to as many ENs as desired, without having to give up the Ticket. An individual can choose the EN that they think will be most helpful to them in reaching their career goals.

When the consumer first meets with someone who works at an EN, staff at the EN will want to ask various questions about work history and disability history. An agreement is reached between the consumer and the EN. Once the EN is selected and the Ticket has been assigned, the EN will help the consumer develop a plan that describes goals, the services the EN will provide, and the consumer’s rights under the Program. When the consumer signs their personal plan, the consumer has "deposited" or assigned their Ticket.

Ticket Utilization

As of November 19, 2004 the breakdown is as follows:

In New York City:

• 103,091 Tickets have been issued to mental health beneficiaries [tickets sent via the mail and not assigned]
• 25 ENs have been established

In New York State:

• 757,770 Tickets have been issued to all beneficiaries
• 104 ENs have been established
• 505 Tickets have been assigned to an EN by all beneficiaries

Nationwide:

• 10,050,322 Tickets have been issued to all beneficiaries
• 1,165 ENs have been established
• 6,281 Tickets have been assigned to an EN by all beneficiaries

Expedited Reinstatement or EXR

Another important variable with the Ticket is the Expedited Reinstatement or EXR. EXR was established by SSA as a fail-safe for individuals to return to the disability rolls if employment did not work out. This was established so that individuals previously covered under SSI or SSDI could regain their benefits after a failed attempt at employment due to a return of symptoms. View the proposed rules on EXR with a summary with commentary on EXR from Paul J. Seifert, Director of Government Affairs, United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA/IAPSRS). To view specific recommendations on EXR to the President and Congress see the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Report.

Ticket to Hire

The Ticket to Hire is a free national employment referral service assisting employers in hiring qualified workers with disabilities through the Ticket to Work program. The Ticket to Hire is a specialized unit of the Employer Assistance Referral Network or EARN, a free national employment referral service for employers sponsored by the Department of Labor (DOL) with additional support from SSA. The Ticket to Hire program is sponsored by SSA with additional support from DOL. The Ticket to Hire program links employers to ENs and state vocational rehabilitation agencies in the community helping to expedite employment for individuals involved in the Ticket to Work program.

Organizations That Can Help

The Social Security Administration has established community based programs to provide accurate information about work incentives called Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Projects or BPA&O’s. BPA&O’s can be helpful in assessing consumers’ benefits status and guiding consumers toward informed decisions. If individuals have a difficult time making a selection, one can contact The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS). MAXIMUS can also be of help in providing information on ENs, updates and choices for Ticket holders.

• Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach Projects (BPA&O’s): http://www.ssa.gov/work/ServiceProviders/bpaofactsheet.html or: The New York Work Exchange's The WORKbook (PDF, pages 20-21)

• MAXIMUS provides complete program management and operations for the Ticket to Work program.
  1-866-968-7842 (TDD 1-866-833-2967) or www.yourtickettowork.com

• The National Conference of State Legislatures website:
  http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/ttwork.htm

• Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) provides free legal services to persons with low-income and persons with disabilities and a wide range of technical assistance and support services including help with the Ticket to Work. Call 1-888-224-3272 or e-mail nywisc@nls.org or go to: http://www.nls.org/

• The New York State Office of Mental Health informational page on the Ticket to Work:
  http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/ticket/index.htm

• The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) provides a full range of technical assistance, information and referral, and advocacy and legal representation services to individuals who currently receive SSI and/or SSDI cash payments and have employment-related concerns. Call 1-800-624-4143

• The Social Security Administration’s informational page on the Ticket to Work:
  http://www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html

Reports Related to the Ticket to Work:

• The New York Work Exchange hosted an informational update on the Ticket to Work Program in October 2004. This PowerPoint presentation was presented by MAXIMUS as part of a panel and contains up to date information pertinent to NYC and mental health providers: "SSA Ticket to Work Program" (PowerPoint)

• The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel released "An Annual Report to the President and Congress, Year Four" in June 2004 online with findings, conclusions, issues, and recommendations. This report has specific recommendations on EXR: http://www.ssa.gov/work/panel/panel_documents/annual_report2004.html

• "Recommendations for Improving Implementation of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Regulatory and Administrative Changes)" was produced by the AOI Work Group (Adequacy of Incentives Advisory Group) in September 2003. This work group was commissioned by the SSA to provide recommendations to enhance and improve the Ticket to Work Program and ensure equitable participation of all individuals with disabilities. View the report in Word format: http://www.ccer.org/twwiia/Documents/Interim%20Regs%20ReportSept22,2003.doc

• The Urban Institute for the Work Incentive Advisory Panel wrote a report in August 2003 called "Consumer Advocacy in the Implementation of the Ticket to Work Act." This report spells out the role of PABSS and provides recommendations to eliminate and/or reduce harm for beneficiaries in areas such as adequate representation in disputes with SSA. Contact PABSS at 1-800-624-4143. View report in PDF: http://www.ssa.gov/work/panel/panel_documents/pdf_versions/Advocacy%20Web%20Final%20JK.pdf

• The EN Summit was held in May 2003 in Washington, D.C. to provide a forum for providers, consumers, and government and academic experts to convene in order to explore the challenges faced by ENs and to develop recommendations regarding provider participation. "Proceedings of the Employment Network (EN) Summit, Summary of Work Group Recommendations" was the result of this Summit. [more on the EN Summit]