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Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program - Summary Presentation

This topic provides information about how you can view a summary of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program in the form of a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation from within this WorkWORLD Help/Information System. SSA prepared the presentation as part of its effort to disseminate information about the Ticket program.

The presentation contains images of text slides. If you are using a screen reader, follow this link for the actual text contents of the slides.

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.

While most of the slide information remains accurate, there have been some significant changes, especially with respect to EN payments.

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Text Content of Presentation Slides

Slide 1

Significant Provisions in the
Final Regulations
Implementing the

Ticket to Work
and Self-Sufficiency
Program

Slide 2

Ticket to Work Program--
Purpose

To expand the universe of service providers
available to serve individuals entitled to SSI
and SSDI benefits based on disability in
obtaining services necessary to find, enter,
and retain employment.

Slide 3

Ticket to Work Program--
Implementation

To allow thorough evaluation and ensure
full implementation of the Ticket program
on a timely basis, the Program will be
implemented in three phases.

Slide 4

Ticket to Work Program--
Implementation--Phase 1

The Ticket program was launched February
2002 in the 13 States:

Arizona, Colorado, Delaware,
Florida, Illinois, Iowa,
Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont,
Wisconsin

Slide 5

Ticket to Work Program--
Implementation--Phase 2

The Ticket program was phased into
additional States and the District of
Columbia in November 2002:

Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of
Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Virginia

Slide 6

Ticket to Work Program--
Implementation--Phase 3

The Ticket program will be phased into the
remaining States and territories in 2003 for
complete National implementation by 2004:

Alabama, American Samoa, California,
Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota,
Nebraska, North Carolina, Northern Mariana
Islands, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington,
West Virginia, Wyoming

Slide 7

Eligibility to a Ticket

All SSI and SSDI disability cash
beneficiaries, 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 redetermination
under the adult disability standard.

Slide 8

Receipt of a Ticket

A beneficiary receiving a Ticket:

Can choose whether or not to use the Ticket;

Can use the Ticket to obtain services from
employment network of his or her choice,
or from a State VR agency if he or she
qualifies for services;

Can retrieve the Ticket from the EN or the
VR Agency and reassign it to another EN or
the VR Agency.

Slide 9

Suspension of CDRs--
"Using a Ticket"

SSA may not initiate a CDR while a beneficiary is
"using a ticket" (making "timely progress toward
self-sufficiency").

A CDR is suspended while the beneficiary is using
a ticket. The regulatory definition of "using a
ticket" provides the beneficiary with a limited
period to prepare for work, and subsequent periods
during which the beneficiary must demonstrate
increasing levels of employment.

Slide 10

Use of a
Program Manager

SSA has contracted with a Program
Manager (PM):

- MAXIMUS, Inc., 09/30/00

- PM responsibilities:

* Recruit/monitor/recommend ENs
* Facilitate beneficiary access to ENs
* Facilitate payments to ENs
* Resolve EN-State VR agency disputes
* Other administrative duties for SSA

Slide 11

Employment Networks

Employment Network (EN):

- Any qualified State, local, or private entity.

- Assumes responsibility for coordination and
delivery of employment services, vocational
rehabilitation services, or other support
services under the Ticket to Work program.

Slide 12

Employment Networks--
Eligibility

Employment Network:

- Can be a single entity or an association of
entities combining resources.

- Can provide services directly or by entering
into agreements with other organizations or
individuals to provide the needed services
to a beneficiary.

Slide 13

Employment Networks--
Qualifications

All ENs must meet minimum qualifications:
- Licensure or accreditation, if applicable; or
- Education, or experience.

Non-traditional service providers (such as
employers, and religious and charitable
organizations) may be approved as ENs.

Slide 14

Employment Networks--
Agreements with SSA

An Open Request for Proposals was
published April 13, 2001:

- FedBizOpps: http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

- WorkSite: http://www.ssa.gov/work/

Slide 15

Employment Networks--
Must Report

Information to assist the Program manager in
determining whether a beneficiary is making
timely progress toward self-sufficiency (for CDR
suspension); and

Information about a beneficiary's work activity
and earnings so SSA can determine their effect on
entitlement to benefits and benefit amounts.

Slide 15

State VR Agency Participation
in the Ticket to Work Program

State VR agencies must participate in the Ticket
program to receive payment for serving a
beneficiary with a ticket.

A VRA can choose for each beneficiary it serves,
on a beneficiary-by-beneficiary basis, to be paid
under the cost reimbursement system or under one
of the EN payment systems.

A VRA must provide reports on beneficiary
outcomes when choosing to be paid as an EN.

Slide 16

Individual Work Plan

Required written document:

- Developed, signed, and implemented in
partnership by the EN and the beneficiary.

- Outlines specific employment services, VR
services, or other support services the EN
and beneficiary have determined are
necessary to achieve the beneficiary's
employment goal.

Slide 17

Individual Work Plan,
continued

Must include at least statements:

- of the beneficiary's vocational goal.

- of services and supports necessary to
achieve the beneficiary's vocational goal.

- of any terms and conditions.

- that the EN may not request or receive any
compensation for cost of services and
supports.

Slide 18

Individual Work Plan,
continued

Included statements, continued:

- of conditions under which the EN can amend
the IWP or terminate the relationship.

- of the beneficiary's rights, including the
right to retrieve the ticket.

- of remedies available to the beneficiary,
including the availability of advocacy
services and assistance through P&A
Services.

Slide 19

Individual Work Plan,
continued

Included statements, continued:

- of the beneficiary's rights to privacy and
confidentiality.

- of the beneficiary's right to seek to amend
the ticket.

- of the beneficiary's right to have a copy of
the IWP made available to the beneficiary
in an accessible format.

Slide 20

EN Payment Systems--
Outcome Payment System

Outcome payments to an EN (over 60
months):

- at 40% of average monthly SSDI or SSI
benefit.

- for every month beneficiary does not
receive benefits due to work/earnings.

Slide 21

EN Payment Systems--
Outcome-Milestone System

Payment for four milestones -- after work
starts:

1 - Worked for 1 calendar month at SGA.

2 - Worked for 3 calendar months out of 12 at
SGA.

3 - Worked for 7 calendar months out of 12 at
SGA.

4 - Worked for 12 calendar months out of 15 at
SGA.

Slide 22

EN Payment Systems--
Outcome-Milestone System

Outcome-Milestone payments, continued:

- Reduced Outcome payments -- about 85%
of total potentially payable under the
Outcome payment system over 60 months
for the same beneficiary.

Slide 23

EN Payment Systems--
Increased Incentives for ENs

Final regulations:

Added 2 new milestones (doubled the number of
possible milestone payments).

Moved one new milestone to follow 1st month of
work.

Doubled the value of milestone payments.

Extended period of recoupment (reduction in
outcome payments due to milestone payments)
from 12 months to 60 months.

Slide 24

Dispute Resolution in the
Ticket to Work Program--
Beneficiary and EN

The dispute resolution process describes the
responsibilities of an EN that is not a State VR
agency to:

- have grievance procedures that a beneficiary can
use to seek resolution of a dispute.

- inform each beneficiary of the right to refer to a
dispute first to the PM, and then to SSA for
resolution.

- inform each beneficiary of the availability of
assistance from the State P&A system.

Slide 25

Dispute Resolution in the
Ticket to Work Program--
EN and PM

The PM is required to have procedures to
resolve disputes with ENs that do not
involve an EN's payment request.

An EN can seek a solution through the
PM's internal grievance procedures.

If the PM's internal grievance procedures
do not result in a mutually agreeable
solution, the PM must refer the dispute to
SSA for a decision.

Slide 26

Dispute Resolution in the
Ticket to Work Program--
Beneficiary and State VR Agency

The dispute resolution procedures in the
Rehabilitation Act of 1972, as amended, apply to
any beneficiary who has assigned his or her ticket
to a State VR agency.

The Rehabilitation Act requires the State VR
agency to provide a description of services
authorized through the CAP program, and to
provide an opportunity to resolve disputes using
formal mediation or an informal hearing process.

Slide 27

Resolution of Payment Dispute--
EN and SSA

If an EN other that a State VR agency has a
payment dispute with SSA, the dispute will
be resolved under the dispute resolution
procedures contained in the EN's agreement
with SSA.

Slide 28

Ticket to Work Program
and Alternate Participants

The AP process will end in each State as the
Ticket program is phased in.

APs providing VR services will be asked if
they choose to become ENs.

If an AP chooses to become an EN, services
to current clients will continue to be
covered under the current cost
reimbursement system for a limited time.

Slide 29

Ticket to Work Program
and Alternate Participants

If an AP chooses not to become an EN,
payment will not be made for services to
new clients after the Ticket program is
phased in the State.

If an AP chooses not to become an EN,
payment will not be made for any services
after January 1, 2004.

Slide 30

The Work Site

SSA Office of Employment Support
Programs' Web Site:

http://www.ssa.gov/work/

See also:

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency - Appearance Sample

Employment Network (EN)

Ticket Payment Systems and Employment Networks

Employment Network Outcome/Milestone Payment Amounts - TWWIIA

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