Ticket to Work Program/SSI disability

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act was signed into law by President Clinton on December 17, 1999. There are many provisions in the law designed to assist and encourage recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to prepare for and enter into employment. The Ticket to Work Program is one of those provisions.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will mail out a Ticket to eligible SSDI/SSI recipients along with information that explains the Ticket Program. The individual who wants to go to work can take their Ticket to the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) or an Employment Network that has been approved by the SSA.

The benefit of participating in the Ticket Program is that continuing disability reviews (CDR) will be suspended while the Ticket is active and the recipient is making sufficient progress toward employment. The final regulations for the Ticket program more clearly define "sufficient progress toward employment".

There is no cash value to the Ticket. Once the recipient has deposited their Ticket with an Employment Network or DOR, that organization and the recipient will jointly decide what services are necessary for the recipient to go to work. In some cases DOR and an Employment Network will work together to provide the needed services. Those individuals who have already developed an Individualized Plan for Employment with a DOR rehabilitation counselor may choose to continue without interruption.

If you would like more information about the Ticket to Work Program, visit SSA’s website at http://www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html

If you are interested in applying for Department of Rehabilitation services and want to learn more about the Ticket To Work (TTW) program, contact DOR's toll-free help line at:

1-866-449-2730 (Voice)
1-866-359-7705 (TTY)