The Basics

If you are on a public benefits program, there are many rules called “work incentives” that can help you try working without immediately affecting your benefits. You don’t have to worry that if you get a job, you’ll immediately lose your health coverage, such as Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) coverage or Medicare, or your cash benefits, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

The Ticket to Work program helps you if you are getting SSI or SSDI benefits by offering services you may need to prepare for, find, get, and keep a job. These services are things like vocational assessments, skills training, career counseling, and job search and placement assistance. Once you start working, you will continue to be eligible for their help keeping the job you found. The great thing about this program is that you can get all of these services without immediately affecting your benefit eligibility.

If you have a disability, you may also be able to get these types of vocational rehabilitation services through the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA) even if you don’t qualify for Ticket to Work.

Another good place to get help as you start thinking about work is your local One-Stop Job Center.

In this article, we’ll introduce Ticket to Work, the AZRSA, One-Stop Job Centers, and other work incentives that can help you find a job and manage your benefits once you are working.