Last Updated: 1/14/2025
Understanding the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Ticket To Work Program starts with knowing who it’s for and what it’s meant to do.
Who Is The Ticket To Work Program For?
The Ticket To Work Program (TTW) is for people aged 18-64 currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You must be a current beneficiary of one or both benefits; TTW is not available for those who have already stopped receiving or have yet to be approved for either of them.
What Does The Ticket To Work Program Do?
TTW helps Social Security disability recipients keep their benefits and healthcare coverage while attempting a return to the workforce. TTW also makes it possible to receive benefits again if you are unable to continue working due to your disability. The program is meant to help people try getting back to work without putting themselves at risk.
What Are The Key Points Of The Ticket To Work Program?
TTW is has a few main pieces which help you to start your return-to-work journey:
- Receiving a "Ticket" from the SSA: Once you verify your eligibility, you can sign up for your “ticket” with the SSA to use the program. You can do so directly through the SSA or with the help of an Employment Network (EN) or state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency (see below).
- Choosing an EN or State VR: You have the flexibility to choose an EN or a state VR agency. These organizations provide the support you need to begin your journey back to work. Allsup Employment Services (AES) is one such EN, offering a complete range of no-cost services especially for individuals with disabilities.
- Developing a Plan to Achieve Employment Goals: Working with your chosen EN, you’ll create a customized plan (called an Individual Work Plan, or IWP) that aligns with your career goals, skills and personal circumstances. The plan covers everything from job search strategies to specific steps for maintaining employment.
What Happens When You Use The Ticket To Work Program?
Once you’ve selected the EN or VR you will work with, they will guide you through a set of services as well as the benefits of TTW, which include:
What Can You Expect From The Ticket To Work Program?
TTW provides security and support for individuals returning to work to help you to search for a job without risking your benefits.
Work Trial Phase: You can work for a period of time and keep your benefits, no matter how much you earn. This lets you test your ability to work while still getting SSDI payments.
Extended Eligibility Period: After the Work Trial Phase, you enter a 36-month period where you can work and still get benefits in months when you earn less than the SSA's limit.
Continued Health Coverage: Many worry about losing health insurance. As an SSDI recipient, TTW lets you keep your Medicare or Medicaid while working – even when you stop receiving the income benefit (for an extended period of time).
Quick Benefit Restart: If you have to stop working because of your disability, you can quickly get your benefits back. You don't have to go through the whole application process again if your disability stops you from working.
Support Services: During the program, you get access to all the help you need to be successful. This includes career advice, resume help job search assistance and much more. Employment Networks like AES offer personalized support to help you succeed.
What Is The Role Of Employment Networks (ENs) In The Ticket To Work Program?
Employment Networks bring value to the Ticket to Work Program. These SSA-approved agencies guide participants as they reenter the workforce. ENs offer a range of services, including professional guidance, employment search support, and advice on managing benefits. These services are meant to help you get back to work with confidence and success as you work toward a higher level of self-sufficiency and financial stability.
As an SSA-authorized EN, AES has over 10 years of experience helping thousands return to work successfully. Our focus goes beyond getting a job. AES provides a great deal of support throughout your return-to-work journey, from creating a great resume and sharing job search resources to managing your TTW Ticket and SSA benefits.
What Can You Expect From An Employment Network?
ENs provide a set of services designed to move you forward in your job search and offer helpful resources.
- Individual Work Plans (IWPs): ENs will help you create a plan which accounts for your skills, interests and goals. The plan describes your personal employment goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
- Job Placement Assistance: ENs help you write an effective resume, get ready for job interviews and give you resources for job searching.
- Career Counseling: ENs help you understand your strengths and which jobs would be a good match. They help you explore different options and work toward a position you'll enjoy.
- Work Incentives and Benefits Counseling: ENs explain how going back to work will affect your benefits and how TTW lets you try working without losing your benefits right away.
- Work With Other Agencies: In some cases, ENs and other support organizations or government agencies will work together to give you more resources. For example, an EN might work with a VR agency to offer more training.
- Ongoing Support: EN services continue past getting a job. They will give advice on how to handle workplace issues and maintain work/life balance. ENs stay in touch with you after you start working, helping work through any issues so you can continue being successful in your role.
What Are The Benefits Of The Ticket To Work Program For Participants?
More Financial Freedom
The main goal of TTW is to help you become more financially stable. An EN gives you tools and advice to find good jobs so you can rely less on disability benefits over time. Many people in the program earn more income, allowing them to stop receiving benefits and become more financially stable.
Professional Help
Working with an EN is very valuable. You get help from experts who know about both jobs and disability benefits. This guidance helps you avoid common mistakes and feel more confident as you return to work.
Less Worry About Losing Benefits
One of the best things about Ticket to Work is the peace of mind it gives you. The program has safety measures like the Trial Work Period and continued health insurance. These let you try working without fear of immediately losing your disability benefits.
