Your Ticket to Work

You may think that getting back to work is not an option if you are receiving disability benefits.  However, employU can connect you to a variety of resources and services to assist you in achieving your career goals while maintaining your benefits in the meantime. Best of all, these services are at no cost to you. One such service that is specifically geared towards recipients of Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), is theTicket to Work program.

A free and voluntary program available to recipients who wish to pursue employment opportunities, the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program aims to help decrease reliance on SSI and SSDI and increase financial and independent well-being of program recipients. Partnered with the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) as an Employment Network Service Provider, employU offers career development opportunities to beneficiaries.  

The employU program includes:   

  • Benefits/Work Incentives Counseling   
  • Career Planning/Counseling Job Search and Placement   
  • Resume creation and Interviewing   
  • Ongoing Employment Support   
  • Assistance with Work Accommodations  

Through this program, your “ticket” allows you to seek employment while continuing to receive cash benefits for the first 12 months. There is no income limit in the first year under this program. Beneficiaries also continue to receive Medicare for at least 93 months after the last Ticket to Work Program month has been used. SSI recipients continue to receive Medicaid after they stop receiving SSI cash benefits due to working full-time, up to certain income levels determined by the state. There is no need to worry about reapplying for SSI or SSDI benefits if you find you are unable to sustain full-time work. All in all, it is a no-risk program.  

With employU, you can also consult with a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner (C-WIP). This provides you an easy access point to acquire initial and ongoing benefits support you need to attain, maintain, and advance in employment. This includes:   

  • Analysis and verification of your benefits  
  • Benefits Summary and Analysis report (BS&A) customized to you 
  • A copy of the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from the Social Security Administration  
  • Continued short and long-term customer support 

As an employU customer, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a full-service career exploration program. Vocational and Psychological Evaluations allow you to take a deep dive into your personal attributes and abilities to formulate career plans. You can also prepare for the current job market by participating in workshops such as Pre-Employment Trainings. 

Once you are ready, you will be matched up with an Employment Specialist who will work with you one-on-one to find and secure the job that is right for you. They will help you develop a resume, accompany you to interviews, and advocate on your behalf every step along the way. Your Employment Specialist will even stay with you once you have been hired for three to five months to make sure you are comfortable in your new position. It is an experience completely tailored to you, with no out-of-pocket cost. These resources and the Ticket to Work program work together to help you achieve your goals and obtain a more secure financial future without risk.  

For more on Ticket to Work with employU, visit https://employu.org/ticket-to-work-and-cwip/