Last Updated: 1/14/2025
Living with a disability can be tough, especially when it comes to working. If you get disability benefits from Social Security, you might be concerned that working is too hard or risky. You may be afraid of losing your benefits. The Ticket To Work Program (TTW) was created to address these concerns and create a path for people to try returning to work while protecting their benefits.
Ticket To Work is free and it’s up to you whether to participate or not. The program was created by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to support Social Security disability recipients who want to work. TTW helps you find a job while keeping important benefits like healthcare. It makes the move to working life easier and safer for people with disabilities.
The Ticket To Work Program Explained
What Is The Ticket To Work Program?
Ticket To Work is a program that helps people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits get back to work or start their first job. It's all about giving you the support you need to earn income without losing your benefits right away.
How Does It Work?
If you're between 18 and 64, receive SSDI or SSI and want to work, you are eligible. Once you're in, you'll get help with finding a career, learning job skills and getting the support you need to succeed at work. The program works with SSA-approved Employment Networks (ENs), such as Allsup Employment Services (AES), to provide these services.
Why Was It Created?
The SSA started this program to help people with disabilities become more financially stable. They know it can be worrisome to start working when you’ve been relying on disability benefits, especially if you can’t risk your healthcare or other important support.
What Can You Get From The Program?
By joining Ticket To Work, you can:
The big idea is to help you become more independent, step by step. The program gives you the tools, training and support to make it happen.
History Of The Ticket To Work Program
Origins And Legislative History
Ticket To Work began with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 which passed in December of that year. The law aimed to help Social Security disability recipients reenter the workforce. Many people worried that if they got a job, they might lose their disability income and healthcare coverage. If they couldn't keep working due to their disability, they thought they could end up in a tough spot.
The law created protections to ease these fears. It lets people keep their disability benefits for a specified period of time and keep their healthcare coverage while working. TTW also makes it possible to get benefits again if someone is unable to continue working due to their disability. The program allows people to try working without risking everything.
Jim Allsup, the founder of Allsup Employment Services (and founder of Allsup in 1984), had a vision to get SSDI recipients back to work. His testimony before Congress helped lay the groundwork to get Ticket To Work established.
How Ticket To Work Has Evolved
Since it began, Ticket To Work has kept improving. The SSA has updated the program to better help different people with different needs. They've worked on making the services and protections better, so people feel supported as they try working.
How The Ticket To Work Program Works
Assigning Your Ticket
If you're receiving SSDI or SSI, you can get a "Ticket" from the SSA. This ticket lets you get free help with finding a job by connecting with an Employment Network (EN), like Allsup Employment Services.
What Employment Networks Do
ENs are organizations that help you find and keep a job. They're approved and authorized by the SSA for the Ticket To Work Program. Whether you need help with your resume, practice for interviews or help with resources while you search for the right job for you, ENs are here to help.
Allsup Employment Services is one of these Employment Networks. We focus on helping SSDI recipients and work with you to create a plan just for you.
What Happens When You Get Your Ticket
Once you're in the program and working with AES as your EN, here's what happens:
- Develop a plan: Together with your EN, you’ll create a plan matched to your skills, interests and goals.
- Receive support services: Whether it’s job coaching, career counseling or access to training programs, you’ll receive the resources you need to succeed.
- Re-entering the workforce: While you conduct your own search, your EN will also help you find job opportunities that match your abilities, providing ongoing support as you make the transition.
Many of our vocational experts have worked for the SSA and know how the SSDI system works. They provide you with critical experience and expertise and stay with you throughout your entire return to work journey.
Keeping Your Benefits Safe
Many people worry about losing their benefits if they start working. The program helps with this:
- Continued access to healthcare: You can keep your Medicare benefits as an SSDI recipient while you work, providing peace of mind.
- Trial Work Period (TWP): You can test your ability to work without losing your benefits for at least nine months.
- Continuing Disability Review (CDR) Protection – In many cases your SSA medical review will be suspended, if you meet the Ticket To Work Program’s work progress review criteria.
- Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): If your employment ends because of your disability, you can reinstate your benefits without having to reapply.
This setup helps you feel more secure as you try working.
Why Should You Consider Ticket To Work?
The Benefits of Participating
Here's why it might be a good idea to try it out:
- You get free help to find a job you like.
- It's safe to try. You won't lose your benefits while you see if working suits you.
- You could become more financially independent, giving you more control over your life.
Who Is Ticket To Work Good For?
The program is great for people who:
- Want to return to work after a period of receiving disability benefits.
- Are worried about losing healthcare coverage or financial stability.
- Are looking for a structured support system to help them navigate the workforce.
If any of these sound like you, Ticket To Work might be just what you need.
How Allsup Employment Services Helps With Ticket To Work
What AES Does
Allsup Employment Services is authorized by the SSA to help with Ticket To Work. We know a lot about helping people receiving SSDI find jobs. Our team is there to support you every step of the way as you look for work.
Real People, Real Results
AES has helped many people start working again. We offer personal advice about careers and help find jobs that fit. The success of real people who've used AES shows how well Ticket To Work can work, especially with our help.
Here’s what our customers say about AES and Ticket To Work:
“My representative explained the process very clearly. She was very patient and helpful. Very professional.” – Jennifer B
“The representative handling my case has been the utmost – way and beyond in helping me to achieve my goal in employment. Although there have been many flaws with my medical issues, I am still looking forward to remote jobs... She is wonderful...” – Deborah D
“In a very short time span I understood my objectives by a highly trained and knowledgeable counselor.” – Ron S
“[She] fully grasped the complexity of the problems. She patiently listened and I felt heard and supported. She walked me through each step and stayed on the phone with me when I had to speak to other agencies. She made follow up calls and emails to check in on my progress. She demonstrated real care for me as a person. Her skill at using her voice to calm and encourage me was amazing… [She] felt like a life line had been given to me. I would rate her as one of the Top Rated service professionals that I have ever worked with.” – Heidi F
Our track record of helping people for over 10 years speaks for itself. Better yet – we encourage anyone thinking about returning to work to discuss it with us. We can help you understand whether it’s a good fit so you can make an informed decision.
