This free and voluntary program supports career development for people who receive Social Security disability benefits.
Beneficiaries may assign their Ticket to an Employment Network (EN) or receive services from the public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency in the state in which they reside.
Eligibility status can also be determined by calling the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 / 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Trained Help Line representatives answer questions about available work supports, including Social Security Work Incentives, and general questions about how earned income affects Social Security disability benefits.
Other services, such as benefits counseling, transportation, and workplace accommodation assistance may also be available from the selected provider or through referrals to other organizations or agencies.
The Ticket program expands both the number and types of service providers available to people who receive SSDI and/or SSI.
Through the Ticket program, approved employment providers earn cash payments based on the work-related achievements of the beneficiaries who sign up for their services.
Program participants may receive career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and/or job placement and training from an authorized Ticket service provider.
Service providers may offer career planning, benefits counseling, job placement, training or legal advocacy.
Social Security's Red Book provides more information on the Work Incentives and keeping Medicare and Medicaid.
The webinars offer beneficiaries employment resources and access to information 24 hours a day via an online archive.
A number of assessments by various groups over the years - including the General Accounting Office GAO),[14][15] the Congressional Research Service,[16] and a private contractor [17] - indicate the Ticket to Work has not been a success.