[NYAPRS Enews] Frequently Asked Questions about the Ticket to Work

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS' Note: Beneficiaries of Social Security often wonder how their
benefits will be impacted if they return to work, and what supports may
be available to help with the transition.   A widespread misconception
is that individuals will lose all cash and health benefits immediately.
Below is a useful handout developed by CESSI to inform the community
about the Ticket-to-Work program and other work incentives that help
beneficiaries work and maintain many cash and health benefits.  The
Ticket-to-Work enables beneficiaries to purchase employment services and
supports from SSA-approved Employment Networks with a value of up to
$23,000.  In 2010 many provider agencies became Employment Networks and
started accessing thousands of federal dollars to provide employment
services.  

The NYAPRS 7th Executive Seminar (April 27-28) will feature Michael
Yozzi (MAXIMUS), Joel Middleton (CESSI), and Oscar Jimenez (NYAPRS) in a
special session to provide information and technical assistance on how
NYS providers and beneficiaries can take advantage of the Ticket to Work
program in 2011. See
http://www.nyaprs.org/conferences/executive-seminar/index.cfm for more
details. 

 

   

Frequently Asked Questions: For People Receiving Social Security
Disability Benefits

http://www.cessi.net/ttw/faqs/beneficiaries.html

 

 

 

Question: What is a Ticket?

Answer: The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues Tickets to
individuals, ages 18 through 64, who are determined to be eligible for
or are receiving cash benefits under the Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) program and/or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
program based on disability or blindness. These Tickets can be used to
obtain services and supports from approved service providers (called
Employment Networks or ENs) under the Ticket to Work program. If you are
interested in working, the Ticket to Work program might be your key to
accessing vocational rehabilitation, education, training, and placement
services, as well as other services and supports to help you reach your
employment goals.                                           

 

 

Question: Do I have to participate in the Ticket Program?

Answer: No. The goal of the Ticket to Work program is to help people
receiving Social Security disability benefits obtain employment and work
toward greater independence and increased self-sufficiency. SSA pays ENs
when the people receiving Social Security disability benefits they work
with achieve certain Milestones and Outcomes associated with work and
earnings. The program is free and voluntary, meaning you do not have to
pay for services received under the Ticket program and there is no
penalty for not participating.

 

 

Question: How and when will SSA tell me that I have a Ticket?

Answer: When you were determined eligible for SSDI and/or SSI benefits,
you should have received a paper Ticket in the mail that was accompanied
by a letter from SSA explaining the Ticket to Work program.

 

Question: Do I need to have the paper Ticket sent to me by SSA in order
to participate in the program?

Answer: No, you don't need to have the paper Ticket to start working
with an approved provider of vocational services and supports called an
Employment Network (EN). The EN you select can contact the Operations
Support Manager, MAXIMUS, to verify your eligibility to participate in
the program. However, if you lose or misplace your Ticket and want a new
one, you can contact MAXIMUS at 866-968-7842 (voice) 866-833-2967 (TTY)
to get a replacement Ticket.

 

Question: What is an Employment Network (EN)? How do I find information
on ENs in my area?

Answer: ENs are organizations and agencies, including your State
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, that entered into an agreement
with the Social Security Administration to provide employment services,
vocational rehabilitation services, and other types of support services
to people receiving Social Security disability benefits with
disabilities under the Ticket to Work program.

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 and develop a plan that describes your employment goal and
outlines the services and supports the EN will provide to help you reach
that goal. If you need help in choosing an EN, visit
www.yourtickettowork.com or call 866-968-7842 (voice) 866-833-2967
(TTY).

You are free to talk with as many ENs as you choose without having to
assign your Ticket. If you assign your Ticket to an EN and later change
your mind about working with that EN, you can un-assign your Ticket and
take it to another EN.

 

Question: Do I need to pay anything to participate in the Ticket
Program?

Answer: No. The Ticket Program is free (and voluntary) for people
receiving Social Security disability benefits. The Ticket Program allows
you to receive vocational services and supports at no cost to you to
help you obtain employment and work towards greater independence and
increased self-sufficiency. SSA will pay the Employment Network you
chose to work with when you achieve certain Milestones and Outcomes
associated with work and earnings.

 

Question: Can I participate in the Ticket Program and get services from
my State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency?

Answer: Yes. State VR agencies are ENs that provide a wide variety of
services and supports to help people with disabilities return to work,
enter a new line of work, or enter the workplace for the first time. To
locate the VR agency in your state, visit www.rehabnetwork.org
<http://www.rehabnetwork.org/> . Go to the right side of the page, and
click on "Contact State Directors."

 

Question: Can I work with my State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency
as well as another participating Employment Network (EN)?

Answer: It depends. The Ticket Program only allows you to work with one
EN (including a State VR agency) at a time. However, you might be able
to get services from the VR agency first and then, once VR closes your
case, get follow-along or ongoing support services from a different EN.
In addition, you may be able to work with a service provider that
provides services under a contract with the State VR agency while your
VR case is open and, after your VR case is closed, continue working with
that same services provider under the Ticket program if the provider is
an approved EN.

 

Question:  Will I lose my Social Security benefits when I participate in
the Ticket Program to get vocational services and supports?

Answer: No. You will continue to receive your benefits until you begin
earning wages or self-employment income above the applicable earnings
limit for the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability
Insurance program. The Social Security Administration cannot perform a
medical "Continuing Disability Review" to determine whether you continue
to have a disability while you are participating in the Ticket Program
and progressing towards your employment goal, so only your earnings can
affect your benefit eligibility. 

How much you can earn before it will affect the amount of your monthly
benefit will vary for each individual. This is due in part to the fact
that you can subtract certain amounts from your gross earnings by taking
advantage of SSA Work Incentives. For more information on SSA Work
Incentives, check out the SSA Red Book at: www.ssa.gov/redbook
<http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/> .

 

Question: What are Work Incentives?

Answer:  Work Incentives are disability program rules that allow you to
reduce your countable income so that you can continue to receive a cash
benefit while you explore work or look for a job that is right for you.
Examples of such Work Incentives include the extension of Medicare and
Medicaid coverage while working, Impairment-Related Work Expenses, and
Plans for Achieving Self-Support. In addition, if your work attempt is
unsuccessful, SSA has made it easy for you to get back on benefits when
and if needed.

To learn more about these and other SSA Work Incentives, check out the
Social Security Red Book at www.ssa.gov/redbook. 

 

Question: Going to work seems complicated. Is there someone who can help
me understand the disability program rules and Work Incentives?

Answer: SSA has approved local organizations in every State and
Territory to serve as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA)
projects. WIPA staff are trained and certified to provide information
and planning services about work and Work Incentives to individuals 14
to 64 years old who are eligible for SSDI and/or SSI benefits. WIPA
staff can answer questions about how part-time, full-time, or seasonal
work would affect your benefits.

WIPA staff can also discuss your individual employment goals, assist you
in identifying possible barriers to reaching those goals, and help you
find the resources or services to overcome those barriers. WIPA services
are FREE.

To find the WIPA project nearest you, visit:
www.yourtickettowork.com/wipas.

 

Question: Will I lose my Medicare eligibility if I participate in the
Ticket program?

Answer: No. As long as you continue to receive Social Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit payments, you will continue to
remain eligible for the same medical coverage. There are also Work
Incentives that allow you to continue your medical coverage once you
begin earning enough that you stop receiving SSDI payments. If you
currently receive medical coverage through Medicare, you can continue to
be eligible for coverage for at least 93 months after the last month of
your Trial Work Period.

 

Question: Will I lose my Medicaid Coverage if I participate in the
Ticket program?

Answer: No. As long as you continue to receive Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) benefits, you will continue to remain eligible for the same
medical coverage.

If you currently receive Medicaid, you might be eligible to continue to
receive Medicaid even after you stop receiving SSI benefits due to work.
There are two ways in which your coverage might be extended. First, you
might be eligible through a Work Incentive created by Section 1619(b) of
the Social Security Act. You need to meet certain other requirements to
qualify for this Work Incentive and can find more information regarding
this program here:www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/1619b.htm

Your state might also have a program called the Medicaid Buy-In Program,
which allows you to keep your Medicaid coverage by paying a monthly
premium, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements
established by your state. To see whether your state has a Medicaid
Buy-In Program and whether you might be eligible, contact your State
Medicaid agency. A link to the web site for the Medicaid agency in your
state can be found atwww.nasmd.org/links/state_medicaid_links.asp

 

Question: What if I have questions about my rights under the Ticket and
other Social Security programs? Is there someone I can ask?

Answer: Yes. There is a program called Protection and Advocacy for
Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS). Protection and Advocacy (P&A)
systems are publicly funded entities that provide protection and
advocacy services free of charge to individuals with disabilities. SSA
provides funding to the P&As to implement the PABSS program. PABSS staff
assist people receiving Social Security disability benefits with
disabilities in obtaining information and advice about receiving
vocational rehabilitation and employment services.

P&As provide advocacy and other related services that people receiving
Social Security disability benefits with disabilities may need to secure
or regain gainful employment. Many P&As administer the Client Assistance
Program (CAP) that assists individuals with disabilities in securing
services from State VR agencies.

To find the PABSS program in your state, visit:
www.yourtickettowork.com/res_advocacy.

 

Question:  What happens if my benefits stop due to my earnings and then
I can no longer work due to my disability? Will I need to file a brand
new application for benefits?

Answer: No. If your benefits ended because you worked and had earnings,
you can request that your benefits start again without having to
complete a new application. While the Social Security Administration
(SSA) determines whether you can get benefits again, SSA can give you
provisional (temporary) benefits for up to 6 months. This is because of
a Work Incentive called Expedited Reinstatement. You can ask for your
benefits to start again using Expedited Reinstatement for up to five
years after you stop receiving benefits.

For more information regarding Expedited Reinstatement, visit:
www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/exr.htm

 

Question: How do I put my Ticket into "inactive status" with MAXIMUS?

Answer: A beneficiary who is working with an EN or a State VR agency
under cost reimbursement may have his/her Ticket placed in "inactive
status" at any time by submitting a written request to MAXIMUS, asking
that the Ticket be placed in "inactive status."  "Inactive status" will
begin with the first day of the month following the month MAXIMUS
receives the request. You should remember that once your Ticket is
inactive status you will no longer be protected from Continuing
Disability Reviews and SSA can review your file during those months your
Ticket is inactive if you are due for one.

 

Question: What is "timely progress"? What does it mean for me if I use
my Ticket?

Answer: The Ticket program regulations require that a Ticket holder be
making "timely progress" toward their stated employment goal in order
for the person's Ticket to be considered "in use" and for the person to
be protected from SSA performing a Continuing Disability Review of that
Ticket Holder's medical condition.

MAXIMUS, the Program Operations Manager for the Ticket program, will
review your file every 12 months to make sure you are making timely
progress toward your employment goal. This can include educational
pursuits such as obtaining a General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) or
attending college and/or technical school. As long as you participate in
the activities outlined in your Individualized Work Plan and cooperate
with your EN, MAXIMUS will likely find that you are making timely
progress toward your employment goal. Even if you are not making timely
progress you can still use your Ticket but you are not protected from
any scheduled continuing disability reviews.

Full Timely Progress Requirements
<http://www.cessi.net/ttw/faqs/progress.html> 

 

Question: Can I use a Ticket to become self-employed or start my own
business?

Answer: Yes, a Ticket can be used to obtain services and supports to
help you become self-employed or start your own business. If you are
interested in pursuing a self-employment goal, you should tell the EN
you would like to work with about that goal early on in the process. You
should be aware, however, that some ENs might choose not to accept the
Ticket assignment from someone who has self-employment as a goal because
it might take longer for the EN to receive payment.

 

 

 

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