What is the unemployment Ticket To Work Program and how can I apply?
The programme was created in 1999 to help those with disabilites get back into work without the risk of their benefits being taken away.
The Ticket to Work programme allows disabled workers on get back into the workplace. Usually, being able to work precludes a worker from receiving Social Security disability payments (SSDI), but the scheme gives disabled people the opportunity to get back into work. Anyone who receives Social Security payments due to a disability between the ages of 18 to 64 can apply.
The Ticket to Work programme also allows individuals uninterrupted access to Medicare or Medicaid coverage for as long as they pay the premiums, for up to 93 months after their Social Security payments have ended, regardless of which type.
The scheme is voluntary so those who wish to remain on Social Security payments can rest easy that they will not be chased up to resume work.
This is different to a trial work period. In this plan, a disabled person is allowed to work but if they work a certain amount of months in a five-year period then they will be classed as no longer disabled.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says, “We do not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period.”
How do you apply?
Ticket to Work has a help line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). You will be given a ticket number and a work placement through an employment network or vocational rehabilitation facility.
At present there is no option to do this online, so you must call a number to find your eligivility.