The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Training for Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies January 2007 Unit 5 Management of the Ticket Process Learning Objectives Define a Ticket under the Ticket to Work Program Define Ticket eligibility Describe what constitutes an assigned Ticket Describe how a Ticket is unassigned Describe voluntary termination of a Ticket Learning Objectives (continued) Describe what constitutes a Ticket being "in use" Define Continuing Disability Review and its implications for a Ticket holder Define an Individual Work Plan (IWP) List the elements necessary in an IWP The Ticket in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Definition of the Ticket A Ticket under the Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency Program is a document that provides evidence of Social Security Administration agreement to pay the ENs or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies that have provided employment services, VR services, and other support services to a beneficiary who has assigned them his Ticket Ticket Eligibility Guidelines Individuals meeting the following guidelines are eligible to participate in the Ticket to Work Program: Age 18 to 64 Title II in current pay status based on disability Title XVI in current pay status and Have a disability that is not designated as a medical improvement expected diary review case or, Have a disability that is designated as a medical improvement expected diary review case, and One continuing disability review has been completed indicating that disability continues. Continuing Disability Review (CDR) Reviews conducted by Social Security Administration to determine if beneficiary is still disabled under Social Security guidelines Medical CDR determines whether beneficiary's medical condition continues to meet disability eligibility requirements Work CDR determines whether disability has ended because of SGA The Ticket and CDRs If a Ticket is currently assigned, the Social Security Administration will not begin a Medical CDR during the period the Ticket is "in use" Services may begin and the Ticket may be assigned if a CDR has already begun The CDR will be completed on schedule Benefits usually will no longer be received if the individual is found to no longer have a disability Individual Work Plan A written agreement signed by both the beneficiary and the EN that describes employment and support services needed to reach an employment goal The IWP becomes effective once: MAXIMUS verifies that the beneficiary has a Ticket that is assignable IWP is signed by the beneficiary (or a representative of a beneficiary) and a representative of the EN Components of the IWP Vocational goal Services and supports to reach the goal Terms and conditions relating to these services and supports EN may not request or accept compensation from the beneficiary Conditions for amending or terminating the IWP Beneficiary's rights under TTWP Dispute resolution processes available to the client Client's right to privacy and confidentiality Client's right to have a copy of the IWP IWP & Ticket to Work Program The IWP is submitted to MAXIMUS by the EN. The IWP is the method by which the beneficiary requests his/her Ticket to be assigned to the EN and the EN's acceptance of that Ticket. The IWP/Ticket Assignment becomes effective when the following conditions are met: MAXIMUS verifies that the beneficiary has a Ticket that is eligible for assignment IWP is signed by the beneficiary (or a representative) and a representative of an EN Beginning Ticket Use A beneficiary is considered to be "using a Ticket" once the IWP is received by MAXIMUS and entered into MAXSTAR, retroactive to the date it was signed A Ticket will also be considered "in-use" once a SSA Form-1365 is received by MAXIMUS and processed, retroactive to the date it was signed Definition of "Using" a Ticket Beneficiaries who are considered to be "using" a Ticket will not be subject to medical Continuing Disability Reviews. Beneficiary must be making timely progress under the IWP/IPE during the first 24 months after the Ticket is assigned After the first 24 months, beneficiary must meet work guidelines and earnings at the SGA level as specified under each year of the Ticket to Work Program. Ending Ticket Use End of the 60th month for which outcome payment is made to the EN, or Day before effective date of the decision that the beneficiary is no longer making timely progress toward self-supporting employment, or Close of the 3-month period which begins with the first month in which the Ticket is no longer assigned to an EN, or Month when benefits end, or Day on which the Ticket terminates. Ticket Assignment Process Taking the Ticket Out of Assignment A Ticket may be taken out of assignment if: Beneficiary is dissatisfied with services from an EN or State VR Agency EN wishes to terminate services with beneficiary EN goes out of business (MAXIMUS will notify beneficiaries effected) The Ticket will no longer be assigned effective the first day of the following month Voluntary Termination of Ticket Assignment A beneficiary may decide to terminate his/her involvement in the program or with a particular EN at anytime: Beneficiary informs the EN and MAXIMUS MAXIMUS updates the Social Security Administration database MAXIMUS notifies EN of terminated relationship with beneficiary Involuntary Termination of Ticket Assignment An EN can terminate a Ticket assignment at any time if a beneficiary is not actively participating in his/her IWP: The EN will notify MAXIMUS MAXIMUS will notify the beneficiary Upon notification, the beneficiary may: attempt to resume active participation if the EN is willing, Reassign his/her Ticket to another EN, Place his/her Ticket in Inactive Status, or Withdraw from the TTWP altogether Reassigning a Ticket A beneficiary can re-assign his/her Ticket at any time if he/she: Notifies MAXIMUS in writing of desire to re-assign Ticket Continues to meet eligibility requirements of the Ticket to Work Program, Agrees to and signs a new IWP The reassignment is effective on the date the IWP was signed by the EN and beneficiary If the beneficiary reassigns his/her Ticket during the Initial 24-month Period, the Initial 24-month Period will start over Extension Period A 3-month period during which the beneficiary can search for a new EN Begins automatically once a beneficiary unassigns his/her Ticket and ends after the third month, regardless of whether the beneficiary reassigns his/her Ticket The beneficiary's Ticket will be considered "in-use" during the Extension Period and the beneficiary will not be subject to CDRs Placing Tickets in Inactive Status If a beneficiary is unable to participate in the IWP/IPE, he/she may place his/her Ticket in "Inactive Status"-- A Ticket can only be placed in Inactive Status during the Initial 24-month Period Months in which Ticket is in Inactive Status do not count toward time limits for making timely progress towards self-supporting employment Ticket is not "in use" during periods in which it is in Inactive Status Steps for Placing Ticket in Inactive Status To place Ticket in inactive status, beneficiary must submit written request to MAXIMUS Request must include a statement from the EN (written or verbal) that beneficiary will not be participating in the plan or receiving services Removing a Ticket from Inactive Status To reactivate a Ticket, beneficiary must submit a written request to MAXIMUS Ticket is reactivated in first month following the month in which the request was received If the Ticket is assigned to the same EN as when first placed in Inactive Status, the Timely Progress "clock" will continue If the Ticket is assigned to a new EN, the Timely Progress "clock" will start over The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Training for Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies January 2007