“The Ticket program is increasing opportunities and choices for people with disabilities who want to work.”

Proyecto Visión (PV): What do you think is the biggest obstacle for people with disabilities who want to work?

Sue Suter (SS): I think one of the principal barriers that impede people with disabilities from deciding to work is the fear of losing Social Security benefits. Fortunately, there are several programs today whose purpose it is to eliminate this barrier. One of these programs is the Ticket to Work program. We have also established partnerships with organizations in the area of benefits planning and work incentives that serve disabled people who have specific cultural or language needs.

PV: Could you please define the term “work incentives” for readers who might not know what it means?

SS: Work incentives are special provisions that make it possible for people with disabilities to work and continue to receive Social Security monthly payments and to be enrolled in healthcare programs like Medicare (for elderly people) or Medicaid (for low income individuals). Ticket to Work is one of several work incentive provision programs.

PV: What is the Ticket to Work program?

SS: The Ticket program is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 that was designed to help eliminate many of the barriers that previously influenced people’s decisions about going to work, such as the fear of losing their health coverage. The goal of the Ticket to Work program is to increase opportunities and choices for Social Security disability beneficiaries to gain employment, participate in vocational rehabilitation and other social and public support services. All Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities between 18 and 65 years of age—including those transitioning from school to work, people in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and United States territories—are eligible to participate in the Ticket program.

PV: How does the Ticket program work?

SS: Under the Ticket program, the Social Security Administration gives beneficiaries with disabilities a ticket they can use to obtain employment support services. The Social Security Administration organized an “Employment Network” of agencies and organizations across the country that provide employment services to ticket holders. The Ticket program is flexible and voluntary, that is, Social Security beneficiaries are not obligated to participate if they do not want to. Beneficiaries who receive tickets can contact one of more of the Employment Network agencies to learn about their services. Once an agreement exists between the beneficiary and the Employment Network agency, they work together to develop an employment plan to guide the beneficiary to their employment goal. Once the beneficiary is gainfully employed at a certain salary level, the Employment Network organization that worked with the beneficiary to get their job receives monetary compensation for each month of employment.

PV: Could you please explain a little more about the Employment Network?

SS: Any service provider agency or private entity can sign a contract to participate as an Employment Network agency for the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program. Employment Networks can be individual providers or provider groups that work together and share resources, but they must provide employment preparation and placement services. The Social Security Administration reviews and selects providers to be part of the Employment Network.

PV: Who decides what kind of services beneficiaries receive?

SS: The beneficiaries themselves, along with the Employment Network representative, select the services that will help them return to work. As the beneficiary and the Employment Network representative progress toward the employment goal, an individual’s employment plan might be altered or enhanced according to their changing needs.

PV: Who chooses the job?

SS: The beneficiary chooses the job she/he wants. The Employment Network representative helps the person figure out what kind of work they would like to do, and might help them find some options that match their criteria, but ultimately it is the beneficiary who chooses.

PV: Do people who are participating in the Ticket to Work program lose their benefits?

SS: No. When beneficiaries participate in the Ticket to Work program they can continue to receive Social Security benefits until they earn enough money on their own to be self-sufficient.

PV: What happens to an individual’s Medicare and Medicaid when they participate in the Ticket to Work program?

SS: The Ticket Act extended Medicare Part A coverage for four and a half years longer than the previous limit for beneficiaries with disabilities who work. The Act also included several important changes to Medicaid. For example, it gives states the option to offer coverage to people with disabilities that work who are aged 16-64.

PV: How can young people with disabilities benefit from this program?

SS: There are almost one million people under age 18 who are receiving Supplementary Security Income. Approximately 70 percent of these individuals will be ticket holders when they turn 18. The Ticket to Work program can help ensure the transition from school to work is smooth and successful for recent graduates.

Youth with disabilities who are 18-21 years old and who are enrolled at institutions of higher learning are eligible to participate in the Ticket to Work program. Institutions of secondary education can earn money by joining the Ticket to Work Employment Network or by partnering with community organizations that provide employment services. The ticket can help defray costs associated with providing transition services to young Social Security beneficiaries.

When a ticket is assigned to a beneficiary, the individual is then actively enrolled in the project. The beneficiary does not have to assign the ticket to an Employment Network immediately. They can wait until after they leave the school system or at 21 years of age.

PV: Does the program have any special features for Latinos with disabilities?

SS: Well, there are no special services with respect to eligibility, but there are collateral materials produced by the project administrator as well as by local Employment Networks. In addition, we have recorded success stories about Latinos with disabilities who have become employed.

Nevertheless, there are initiatives specifically for the Latino community as part of the Social Security Administration’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. In particular, an organization called Familia Unida in Los Angeles is a key partner that provides services to the Latino community. Organizations with multilingual capabilities help ensure that WIPA programs are effective and reach their target audiences. Currently, more than three-quarters of WIPA participants are immigrants. Familia Unida is a model for service providers to provide services that are culturally and linguistically sensitive. Irma Resendez, executive director of Familia Unida, is a recognized Hispanic leader who is widely acclaimed for her service to people with disabilities in the Hispanic community.

PV: Where can jobseekers go for information about the Ticket to Work program?

SS: Maximus is the name of the company that administers the program. They have a website that is dedicated to information about the program http://www.yourtickettowork.com.

The toll-free telephone number is (866) 968-7842 or (866) 833-2967 (TTY). Individuals also can dial direct by calling (703) 236-6600.

There also is an online directory of Employment Networks organized by zip code, city or state: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/endir. They also can visit the Social Security Administration’s website at http://www.ssa.gov/work.

PV: Thank you for your time.

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