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Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

One major provision of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-170, or TWWIIA) established the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, or Ticket Program. The Ticket Program provides that eligible Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries with disabilities will receive a Ticket. They can use the Ticket to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an approved provider (an Employment Network, or EN) of their choice.

NOTE: After proposing changes for several years, in May 2008 SSA published new regulations for the Ticket program, which became effective on July 21, 2008. To see the new Ticket to Work regulations, go to:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10879.htm

You can also read a summary of the 2008 regulation changes in the Ticket to Work Regulation Changes - 2008 topic.

The summary below was based in part from information published on the Social Security Administration's Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP) web site at:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/aboutticket.html

Additional information is also available on MAXIMUS' web site:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com

Also, additional summary information in the form of a slide show may be found in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program - Summary Presentation topic.

Click here to read a summary of TWWIIA.

I. The Ticket to Work Program

What is the Ticket to Work Program?

The Ticket Program was created in 1999 and is administered by SSA. The program offers SSA disability beneficiaries greater choice in obtaining the services they need to help them go to work.

When did the Ticket Program begin?

The regulations implementing this new program were published in the Federal Register on 12/28/01, and they became effective 30 days after that date. SSA began to distribute tickets to beneficiaries in the first 13 States listed below early in 2002, once the regulations were effective.

Did the Ticket Program start everywhere at the same time?

No. SSA phased in the Ticket Program over a three-year period. During the first year of operation, which began in early 2002, the program was available only in the following 13 States: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.

In the second phase, SSA expanded the program to these 20 additional States: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia, as well as in the District of Columbia. SSA began to implement this phase in November 2002.

In the third phase, the program became available in the remaining 17 States: Alabama, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, as well as in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. SSA began to implement this phase in November 2003.

The program was operating in the entire country by January 1, 2004. So, people received their Tickets at different times.

How can I get more information about the Ticket program?

SSA has contracted with MAXIMUS, Inc. to serve as the Program Manager for the Ticket Program. MAXIMUS, Inc. helps SSA to manage the program. You can get information about the Ticket Program by calling MAXIMUS, Inc. at their toll-free numbers, 1-866-968-7842 (1-866-YOURTICKET) or 1-866-833-2967 TTY (1-866-TDD 2 WORK).

Additional information is also available on MAXIMUS' web site:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com

How would I know where the Ticket Program is available?

SSA announced its plans in many different places where people who receive Social Security disability benefits get information about SSA, including Social Security's Internet web site:
http://www.ssa.gov/work/

You also can contact MAXIMUS, Inc. at the numbers listed above or, if you can use the Internet, you can find this information on their web site at:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com

Are there age limits for receiving a Ticket?

Yes. You must be age 18 or older and have not reached age 65 to be eligible for a Ticket.

What does a Ticket look like?

The Ticket is a paper document that has some personal information about the person receiving it and some general information about the Ticket Program.

To view a sample Ticket, see the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency - Appearance Sample topic.

How do I get my Ticket?

SSA sends the Ticket in the mail, along with a notice and a booklet explaining the Ticket Program. If you live in one of the States listed above and are interested in receiving a Ticket, please call MAXIMUS, Inc. at their toll-free numbers.

Additional information is also available on MAXIMUS' web site at:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com

If I get a Ticket, do I have to use it?

No. The Ticket Program is voluntary.

Where would I take my Ticket to get services?

You would take your Ticket to an Employment Network or to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. The Employment Networks will be private organizations or public agencies that have agreed to work with Social Security to provide services under this program.

How will I find out about the Employment Networks?

You may contact MAXIMUS, Inc. at the toll-free numbers and websites shown above. Or, go to the SSA website shown above. Also, some Employment Networks may contact you to offer their services.

How will I choose an Employment Network?

You can contact any Employment Network (EN) in your area to see if it is the right one for you. Both you and the Employment Network have to agree to work together. You are free to talk with as many Employment Networks as you choose without having to give one your Ticket. And you can stop working with one Employment Network and begin working with another one, or with the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

If you need help in choosing an Employment Network, you may contact the Protection and Advocacy System in your state. You can call MAXIMUS, Inc. at the toll-free numbers shown above for the telephone number and address.

Additional information is also available on MAXIMUS' web site at:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com.

II. Expanded Availability of Health Care Services

Does the law include changes in health care coverage?

Yes. Starting October 1, 2000, the law extended Medicare Part A (Hospital) premium-free coverage for four and one-half years beyond the current limit for disability beneficiaries who work. See Medicare Continuing Coverage.

What about Medicaid?

The law included several important changes to Medicaid. For example, it gave states the option of providing Medicaid coverage to more people ages 16-64 with disabilities who work. To find out if this coverage is available in your state, call the state Medicaid office in your area. A list of each State's Medicaid office contact information is available on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/allStateContacts.asp

III. Removal of Work Disincentives

Will SSA still review my medical condition?

SSA will not conduct a medical review of a person receiving disability benefits if that person is using a Ticket.

Starting January 1, 2002, Social Security disability beneficiaries who have received benefits for at least 24 months will not be medically reviewed solely because of work activity. The beneficiary will not be subjected to a medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR) by Social Security a long as the beneficiary’s Ticket is assigned or "in-use," and the beneficiary is making timely progress towards self-supporting employment.

See the Timely Progress section of this topic below for additional information.

If a State VR agency provides services under the Cost Reimbursement method, then a new "in use-SVR" status provides CDR protection for the beneficiary. The beneficiary cannot assign the Ticket to an EN while VR has an open case. CDR protection is extended for 90 days after VR case closure.

If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my disability benefits?

No, the new law has not changed SSA's SSI work incentive rules or SSA's SSDI work incentives rules.

If my disability benefits stop because I go back to work, will I have to file a new application if I can't work anymore?

Starting January 1, 2001, if your benefits have ended because of work, you can request that SSA start your benefits again without having to file a new application. This procedure is called Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits. There are some important conditions:

·     You have to be unable to work because of your medical condition.

·     The medical condition must be the same as or related to the condition you had when we first decided that you should receive disability benefits.

·     You have to file your request to start your benefits again within 60 months of the date you were last entitled to benefits.

Will I have to wait for SSA to make a new medical decision before I can receive benefits?

No. SSA will make a new medical decision, but while SSA is making the decision, you can receive up to six months of temporary benefits - as well as Medicare or Medicaid.

If SSA decides that it is unable to start my benefits again, will I have to pay back the temporary benefits?

No.

Timely Progress

"Timely Progress" must be achieved by a ticket holder in order to avoid a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Requirements for Timely Progress Reviews include:

·     12 month review: Complete 3 months work at Trial Work Period level, or complete GED or high school diploma, or complete 60% of a full time course load for an academic year in a college or technical/trade/vocational training program, or complete a combination of this work and education requirement.

·     24 month review: Complete 6 months work at Trial Work Period level, or complete 75% of a full time course load for an academic year in a college or technical/trade/vocational training program, or complete a combination of this work and education requirement.

·     36 month review: Complete 9 months of work at SGA level, or complete an additional full-time academic year of study, or complete a 2-year or 4-year college program, or complete a 2-year technical/trade/vocational training program, or complete a combination of this work and education requirement.

·     48 month review: Complete 9 months of work at SGA level, or complete an additional full-time academic year of study, or complete a combination of this work and education requirement.

·     60 month review: Complete 6 months of work at SGA level with no SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits in months worked, or complete an additional full-time academic year of study, or complete a 4-year degree program.

·     72 month review: Complete 6 months of work at SGA level with no SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits in months worked, or complete a 4-year degree program.

·     Successive 12 month periods: Complete 6 months of work at SGA level with no SSDI and/or SSI cash benefits in months worked.

A 10% variance tolerance applies.

Additional Information

Additional information about operation of the Ticket program is available on MAXIMUS' web site at:
http://www.yourtickettowork.com

See also:

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program - Summary Presentation

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency - Appearance Sample

Employment Networks (EN)

Ticket Payment Systems and Employment Networks

Employment Network Outcome/Milestone Payment Amounts - TWWIIA

Source

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/documents/Timely_Progress_Guidelines.doc

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/documents/Chart_of_Key_Changes_to_Ticket_to_Work_Regulations_5292008.doc

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/documents/SSA-63-029_Basics.pdf

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