The Basics

The Ticket to Work Program is a federal program that helps Social Security beneficiaries with a disability reach their employment goals. Designed for beneficiaries aged 18 – 64 who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Ticket to Work offers a variety of services to help you get a job. These services can include:

• Vocational rehabilitation
• Training
• Referrals
• Job coaching
• Job counseling
• Placement services

The services offered through the Ticket to Work Program help you to find and apply for jobs that already exist in the marketplace—it is not linked to special jobs for Social Security beneficiaries.

The Ticket to Work Program is completely voluntary; there is no penalty if you decide not to participate.

It is important to know that Social Security will suspend medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) while you are using your Ticket. Under normal circumstances, if Social Security does a medical CDR and decides that you are no longer disabled, you lose all your Social Security benefits. However, if you are using your Ticket, Social Security won’t do a medical CDR.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) made major improvements to the Ticket to Work Program in 2008. Most adult SSI and SSDI beneficiaries can now use the program. The program rules now give beneficiaries more choices in the organizations that can assist them with their employment goals.