Social Security Highlights Ticket to Work: Free Program Helps Disability Beneficiaries Ages 18 to 64 Try Working With Protections
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) highlighted its Ticket to Work program in an official blog post on October 28: people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work can take part in the free and voluntary program, receiving the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence.
According to SSA, participants sign up with an approved service provider of their choice, such as an Employment Network or a state vocational rehabilitation agency, and no paper ticket is needed. Services include free vocational rehabilitation, training, career counseling, job placement, and ongoing support services to help participants achieve a work goal.
SSA says special work incentive rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments for a time, and Medicare or Medicaid coverage can continue while they work. If a participant cannot continue working because of a medical condition, benefits can start again and the person may not have to file a new application. While participating in the Ticket program and making progress toward work goals under Social Security's standards, beneficiaries are protected from medical continuing disability reviews.
SSA reminds people receiving disability benefits or SSI payments to report right away when they start or stop working, and to report any other change that could affect their benefits.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国社会保障署总部大楼（资料图）。Coolcaesar 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The headquarters of the U.S. Social Security Administration (file photo). Photo by Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
