What is the Ticket program?
Ticket to Work is a Social Security Administration (SSA) employment program based on choice and opportunity that offers beneficiaries options for obtaining services and supports to gain and maintain fulfilling employment. Ticket to Work beneficiaries are people ages 18 to 64 who are receiving cash benefits based on disability or blindness under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or the Social Security Income (SSI) programs.

The Ticket program allows you to choose from a variety of approved service providers called Employment Networks (ENs), including your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, from which to obtain services and supports. You might remember receiving a Ticket from SSA in the mail. If you’ve lost or misplaced your Ticket, don’t worry. You do not have to have the Ticket to participate in the program.

The Ticket Program Allows You To . . .

Improve your earning potential.

• Access employment resources and support services, including vocational rehabilitation, training, and placement services.
• Explore a variety of employment options that are a match to your skill sets.

Stay in control of your benefit choices.

• You can explore work options while keeping disability benefits, including Medicare and/or Medicaid.
• You can easily get back on cash benefits if necessary.
• If you stop working, SSA may reinstate your benefits without a new application.

It Is All About Choice!

• You get to choose whether and when to participate.
• You get to choose which EN to work with.
• You get to choose, along with your selected EN, the services and supports you need to succeed.

Participation in the Ticket program is free and voluntary, which means you can use your Ticket if you choose, but there is no penalty for not using it. You can contact any EN in your area to see if the services and supports they offer are right for you. Both you and the EN must agree to work together to attain your employment goals.

Don’t get discouraged if the first EN you talk to doesn’t seem to be a good fit. You can talk to as many ENs as you need to in order to find the right one for you. If you are interested in working, you have nothing to lose by talking to some ENs to see what they have to offer.