By Brenda Brown
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Fayetteville, NC
Social Security encourages people to rejoin the workforce when they are able. Ticket to Work is
our free and voluntary program that helps people get vocational rehabilitation, training, job
referrals, and other employment support services.
This program is for people ages 18 to 64, who are receiving disability benefits, and need support
re-entering the workforce or working for the first time. While many disabled individuals are
unable to work and may never be able to return to work, we know that some are eager to try
working again. Work incentives make it easier to work and still receive health care and cash
benefits from Social Security while providing protections if people have to stop working due to a
disability.
Social Security works with employment networks to offer beneficiaries access to meaningful
employment. Employment networks are organizations and agencies, including state vocational
rehabilitation agencies that provide various employment support services. Some services they
may help with include résumé writing, interviewing skills, and job leads.
Ticket to Work gives individuals the opportunity to choose from several employment networks.
Participants are free to talk with as many employment networks as they want before choosing
one. If someone signs an agreement with an employment network, the employment network will
help the individual develop an employment plan. We will review their progress toward achieving
the goals of their employment plan every 12 months. If they are making timely progress in their
return to work plan, we will not conduct a medical review of their disability during the time they
are in the program.
Many people have successfully completed the Ticket to Work program. Anyone interested in the
Ticket to Work program should call the Ticket to Work Helpline toll-free at 1-866- 968-7842
(TTY 1-866- 833-2967). More information on the program is available online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/work.
Remember, Social Security is with everyone through life’s journey, providing resources that can
help people reach their work and retirement goals.
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