Consumer - What You Can Expect? - What you will be receiving from SSA?

In the near future you may receive a ticket from the Social Security Administration that will look something like this.

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficienty Program

Why You Should Read This Booklet

This booklet is for people who have been selected by the Social Security Administration to receive a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency. Please take a few minutes now to read the booklet, and then keep it in a safe place.

What is the Program?

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (The Ticket Program) is a new part of the Social Security program. It is for people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits because of disability or blindness. The program offers you greater choice in getting the services you need to go to work or to earn more money. The goal of the program is to help you to earn enough money that you will not need Social Security cash benefits.

Do You Have to Take Part in the Program?

No. The Ticket Program is voluntary. If you decide that you are not interested in the program, or that you are not able to work, you do not have to take part. Your decision will have no effect on your disability benefits. However, you should keep the Ticket we sent to you in a safe place in case you decide later to take part in the program.

How Does This Program Work?

Under the Ticket Program, you can receive employment services, vocational services or other services to help you go to work or to earn more money. These services are provided by Employment Networks, which are private organizations or government agencies that have agreed to work with Social Security. There is a more complete discussion of employment networks in the next section.

If you are interested in taking part in the Ticket Program, you should call MAXIMUS, Inc. at 1-866-968-7842 (YOUR TICKET) (toll free) or TDD 1-866-833-2967 (TDD 2 WORK). MAXIMUS is a private company that is working with Social Security to help us manage the program. MAXIMUS will give you the names, addresses and telephone numbers of employment networks that are in your area.

If you want more information or advice about choosing an employment network, contact your State Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System. MAXIMUS can give you the phone number of your local P&A.

What is an Employment Network?

Under the Ticket Program, employment networks are the organizations responsible for providing the services you need to work, at no cost to you.

The Ticket Program gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of employment networks. Employment networks can be, but are not limited to:

• For-profit or non-profit private organizations;
• Sate vocational rehabilitation agencies;
• Other government agencies;
• One-Stop delivery systems under the Workforce Investment Act.

As employment network may be a single organization that provides all of the services you need, or it can be a groups of providers. It also may work with other individuals or organizations that are not part of the network to provide the appropriate services.

Before you give you Ticket to an employment network, you should carefully choose the one that you think will best help you to reach you employment goal. You are free to talk with as many employment networks as you choose without having to give one your Ticket.

Again, you may want to contact your local P&A for help n this process.

Remember: An employment network cannot charge you for the services it provides.

What Will an Employment Network Do for You?

An employment network will provide the services you need to go to work or to earn more money. These services might include vocational rehabilitation and a wide range of employment and other support services such as case management and counseling.

When You Contact an Employment Network

You can call or visit any employment network. When you visit one, you should have your Ticket with you.

When you first meet with an employment network it may need to obtain certain information about you form Social Security. You can expect them to ask you certain questions about your disability, you work history, and other subjects. This is necessary so they can decide if they can help you. You should feel free to ask any questions about how the employment network can help you reach your employment goal.

Can an Employment Network Contact Me?

Yes. An employment network may contact you to find out if you are interested in working with them. The employment network will give you detailed information to help you decide if you are interested in pursuing your employment goal with them.

How Will an Employment Network Know That I Have a Ticket and That I An Not Working with Another Employment Network?

MAXIMUS will help SSA by keeping a record of people who have Tickets who are not working with employment networks. MAXIMUS will give this information to employment networks.

Do You Have to Work with a Particular Employment Network?

No. You and an employment network must agree that you can work together. If you cannot agree, you can take your Ticket and contact another employment network. You can do this at any time, even after you have signed papers with an employment network. Of course, you should think carefully before you sign any papers or you decide to take you Ticket to another employment network.

If You and an Employment Network Agree to Work Together

First, the employment network will work with you to develop a plan that is just for you. The plan will include your goals for the type of work you want to do, and maybe for the amount of money you want to earn. The plan also will state exactly what services the employment network will provide to help you reach your goal. In addition, the plan will explain your rights under the program, including:

• Your right to take you Ticket back if you are not satisfied with the services you are receiving from the employment network; and
• Information on the availability of advocacy services and, help in resolving disputes through the State Protection and Advocacy System. You can find more information on these services below in "What if You Are Unhappy with the Employment Network?"

You or your representative and the employment network will have to sign the plan before you can start working with the employment network under the Ticket Program. The employment network should give you a copy of the plan, in an accessible format if you need it. If necessary, you can work with the employment network to change your plan if your situation changes.

When You Have Signed Your Plan with an Employment Network

When you sign the plan, you have "assigned" your Ticket to the employment network, and you cannot work with another employment network without taking your Ticket back.

Also, when you have signed the plan with the employment network, we will not review your medical case as long as you meet certain requirements. For more information, see "How Does Participating in the Ticket Program Affect Medical Reviews of My Disability?" below.

What If You Are Unhappy with the Employment Network?

There are several steps you can take if you are having a problem with your employment network. Under the Ticket Program, and employment network must have a process to deal with situations where clients are unhappy with them. If this process is not successful, you can call MAXIMUS at the number shown above and ask them to resolve your grievance informally. If MAXIMUS cannot resolve your grievance informally, it will report your grievance to Social Security.

If your Ticket has been assigned to a state vocational rehabilitation agency, the due process procedures in the Rehabilitation Act apply. The state agency must give you a description of the services available through the Client Assistance Program. It also must give you the opportunity to resolve your grievance through mediation or an impartial hearing.

You also can request the P&A agency in your state to help you if you are unhappy with an employment network. You can ask your state P&A agency to help you at any stage of the grievance process.

What Happens When You Go Back To Work?

If you go back to work, or you begin to earn more money, you must notify your local Social Security office. The Ticket Program does not replace the special rules called "work incentives," that help serve as a bridge between Social Security and SSI disability benefits and financial independence. These work incentives include:

• Cash benefits while you work;
• Medicare or Medicaid while you work; and
• Help with any extra work expenses you may have as a result of your disability.

You can find more information about Social Security and SSI work incentives in the booklet titled Working While Disabled – How We Can Help, which you can find at your local Social Security office or you can request by calling our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. If you use the Internet, you can find this information, and other information concerning the employment of individuals who receive benefits because of disability, at www.ssa.gov/work.

How Does Participating in the Ticket Program Affect Medical Reviews of My Disability?

We ordinarily review your medical case from time to time to see if you are still disabled under our rules. If we find that you are no longer disabled, we may stop your benefits.

If you choose to participate in the Ticket Program, we will not conduct a medical review of your case as long as you meet certain requirements. You must assign your ticket to an employment network and meet other requirements that we will explain. We will send you more information about these requirements after you assign your ticket.

If you would like more information about these requirements now, you can call MAXIMUS at the number shown above.

If You Have Questions About the Program

If you need more information about the program you should first call MAXIMUS at the number shown above. They will be able to answer most of your questions. If you use the Internet, you also can find information about this program at www.ssa.gov/work. If you visit a Social Security office, you should bring your Ticket and the letter that came with it with you.