Services

OBJECTIVES: The Social Security Administration (SSA) designed the Ticket to Work program to provide people who receive Social Security disability benefits with programs and services that could help them return to work if they choose. The program is also designed to increase the number of agencies who provide vocational rehabilitation services. This gives individuals with disabilities more choices. 

IMPLEMENTATION: Social Security will mail a "ticket" to all beneficiaries who are eligible for the Ticket to Work program. People can find out if they are eligible for a Ticket by calling Maximus, the company that operates the Ticket program for SSA. Call toll-free 1-866-968-7842; toll-free TDD line: 1-866-TDD2WORK, or visit www.yourtickettowork.com

TICKET: The Ticket is a paper document issued by SSA to eligible beneficiaries. It entitles the beneficiary to receive employment, vocational and support services in order to obtain employment. Beneficiaries can obtain these services from:

• Employment Networks (EN), which are private and non-profit rehabilitation agencies that have been approved by SSA or
• Public vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies such as the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

When a ticket holder assigns a ticket to either an EN or VR agency, that agency may receive payment for the costs of that person’s rehabilitation programs.

CHOICE: A Social Security disability beneficiary may choose to participate in the Ticket program or not. If the beneficiary chooses to use the Ticket, she/he may assign it to an EN or VR; however, it may not be assigned to more than one provider at a time. A beneficiary may also reassign the Ticket from the original EN or VR at any time. 

The Social Security Administration has indicated that a Ticket holder who requests DORS services and signs an Individualized Plan for Employment has automatically assigned his/her Ticket to DORS unless the Ticket is currently assigned to another EN.

BENEFITS OF THE TICKET:  While the beneficiary’s Ticket is assigned (or "in use") and the beneficiary is actively involved in the activities described in the Individualized Work Plan (IWP) with an EN or an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with DORS, SSA will not begin a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). During a CDR, SSA gathers medical information to determine if the individual continues to meet Social Security’s definition of disability, or if the medical condition has improved such that the individual no longer meets eligibility requirements for continuation of benefits.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for a Ticket, a beneficiary must:

• Be at least age 18 but not yet age 65
• Be entitled as an adult to SSDI or SSI and receiving cash benefit

If medical improvement is expected, SSA must have conducted at least one Continuing Disability Review (CDR) and found the individual to have a continuing disability

PROGRAM MANAGER: The Social Security Administration has hired Maximus, located in Alexandria, VA. as the Ticket to Work Program Manager (PM). Its responsibilities include: recruiting and monitoring Employment Networks (EN); providing lists of EN’s and VR to beneficiaries; providing list of beneficiaries to EN’s and VR; assigning, reassigning and unassigning tickets; providing confirmation of ticket status; monitoring timely progress; authorizing payments to EN’s; allocating payments between EN’s and VR; reviewing individual work plans; and resolving disputes. Maximus does not directly provide services to beneficiaries.

ACCESS to SERVICES: Beneficiaries who receive a ticket will be given information regarding the availability of EN’s and VR. This information is also available via the Maximus web-site (www.yourtickettowork.com). Maximus will also send the names of ticket holders to EN’s and the state VR agency each month.

EMPLOYMENT NETWORK: An Employment Network (EN) is any organization or person that has entered into an agreement with SSA to provide employment, VR and other support services to ticket holders. Staff must be certified, licensed, or registered according to professional requirements or otherwise qualified by education or experience. The EN must have certificates, licenses or other credentials if required by state law. Services may be provided directly or by entering into agreements with other organizations. Examples of EN’s include: state agencies; private organizations; single entities or consortia; one-stop delivery systems; public and private schools; job training programs or employers that offer employment and support services.

AGREEMENTS - EN REFERRALS TO DORS: An EN that holds a beneficiary’s ticket assignment may refer the beneficiary to DORS for services. However, to do this, the EN and DORS must have a written agreement. Agreements will address the following: conditions under which DORS will provide services to ticket holders referred by the EN; procedures for making referrals and sharing information; financial responsibilities of each; terms and conditions under which the EN will pay DORS for services; dispute resolution procedures. If there is no agreement between the EN and DORS, an attempt will be made to establish an agreement. If this fails, DORS will notify Maximus to resolve the matter.

TIMELY PROGRESS: While a beneficiary’s Ticket is assigned and in use, Maximus will monitor and determine if the beneficiary is making timely progress during the initial 24 month period after assignment and during subsequent 12 month progress periods. During these periods, timely progress is demonstrated by the beneficiary’s increasing work activity and earnings. Work requirements during these periods are:

• Initial 24 month period: During this period progress is demonstrated when the beneficiary is actively participating in the IPE. DORS must notify Maximus if the beneficiary is not actively participating. At the end of the 24 month period, Maximus will request information to assess active participation.
• Subsequent 12 month progress periods: During subsequent periods, Maximus will assess timely progress by the number of months the beneficiary works at SGA employment. During the first 12 month period, 3 months SGA work is required. During the second 12 month period, 6 months is required. During the third and subsequent 12 month periods, 6 months of SGA employment resulting in the suspension of SSDI/SSI payments is required.

IF TIMELY PROGRESS REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET the Ticket will be considered "not in use." Maximus will no longer monitor timely progress. When not in use, the beneficiary will again be subject to CDRs. However, the beneficiary will still receive benefits, may continue to participate in DORS services and DORS may still receive payment for services.

DISPUTES: Disputes between VR and the beneficiary are resolved according to the dispute resolutions provided for in the Rehabilitation Act. Disputes between DORS and an EN are referred to Maximus. Disputes between DORS and Maximus may be resolved by Maximus’ internal grievance procedures or by SSA.

This summary is based on 20 CFR Part 411 (12/28/01) & Vocational Rehabilitation Providers Handbook – Chapter 12 (Transmittal No.17; 9/3/02). Updated 8/26/04.

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