Ticket-Holders

Who is eligible to receive a Ticket through this Program?

The Social Security Administration determines which Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability beneficiaries are eligible to receive Tickets. Generally, eligible beneficiaries:

• Are 18 or older and have not reached age 65
• Are a Title II disability beneficiary (exceptions are stated in the legislation and regulations)
• Are in "current pay status" for monthly Title II cash benefits based on disability (exceptions stated in the legislation and regulations) or
• Are a Title XVI disability beneficiary (exceptions stated in the legislation and regulations)
• Monthly Federal cash benefits based on disability or blindness under Title XVI are not suspended; and
• The Social Security Administration records show:
  • a case is not designated as a medical improvement expected diary review case; or
  • a case is designated as medical improvement diary review case and the Social Security Administration has conducted at least one CDR and made a final determination or decision that the disability continues

How does a beneficiary know if he/she will get a Ticket?

Through the Social Security Administration mailings, eligible Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability beneficiaries receive "Tickets" (they look like a certificate) from the Social Security Administration. If beneficiaries receiving these Tickets want to go to work, they contact and "assign" their Ticket to a local entity called an "Employment Network" (EN). These "ENs" are key to the success of a beneficiary moving toward self-sufficiency.

What happens next when someone gets a Ticket?

• This is a voluntary employment-related Program. When an individual gets a Ticket, he or she is free to choose whether or not to use the Ticket as well as when to use the Ticket. If they decide to "assign" it (use it), they take it to a participating Employment Network in their local area or they can take it to a State VR Agency.

• Beneficiaries can only "assign" their Ticket to one EN (or VR Agency) at a time. They can change ENs if they are not satisfied with the services as long as they inform (in writing) the MAXIMUS Employment Network Coordinator that they wish to do so and why.

• Once a Ticket-holder identifies the EN (or the VR Agency) they want to "assign" their Ticket to, the Ticket-holder talks with and develops a written Individual Work Plan (IWP) with the EN, or an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) with the VR agency, so that together they can agree on the employment goals desired. After this is done, the Ticket is considered "in use."

• When a person's Ticket is in use, no Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) take place, as long as the beneficiary demonstrates they are making "timely progress" and/or working to meet the goals identified in their IWP. Demonstrating timely progress allows them to continue to benefit from suspension of their CDRs.

How will Ticket-holders know how to contact ENs?

When Tickets are mailed, a toll free phone number (1-866-YOURTICKET) will be mentioned in the packet of materials they receive from the Social Security Administration. Ticket-holders call this number to find out who the Employment Networks are in their area. When this number is called, an "Employment Network Coordinator" (ENC) will talk with the beneficiary about their employment needs and then give them the names and contact information of the ENs in their local area.

Once this happens, Ticket-holders may choose any EN they think can help them the most with getting or keeping a job and the supports they need. They can also go to the State VR Agency for services if they choose to do so.

Who gains from this Program?

Everyone.

• Beneficiaries, organizations becoming ENs, businesses searching for qualified workers, and communities in general can all benefit.
• Beneficiaries gain by having more choices about going to work, earning income, and receiving continued health care benefits.
• Employment Networks have the opportunity to increase their revenue through EN Payments.
• Communities benefit by increasing the number of citizens not only working and contributing to the local tax base, but by their neighbors' new sense of well-being, self-esteem and commitment to independence.

Can a replacement Ticket be issued if the original Ticket has been lost or destroyed?

Absolutely. The Social Security Administration recognizes that a Ticket-holder may misplace or destroy his or her Ticket before having an opportunity to assign it to an Employment Network. Contact MAXIMUS Ticket to Work toll-free at 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842) or toll-free TDD at 1-866-TDD2WORK (1-866-833-2967) to request a Ticket on Demand (TOD). The Ticket-holder should receive the TOD by mail within 7-10 business days of the request.