Social security work programs

Work incentive employment supports help disabled and blind SSI recipients go to work by minimizing the risk of losing their SSI or Medicaid benefits. Some incentives allow us to not count some of your income or resources. Other incentives let you continue to receive Medicaid coverage even though you are not receiving SSI cash benefits. You may be entitled to take advantage of more than one work incentive program.

Depending on the types of income you receive, it will change the amount we do not count and the SSI benefit amount. Visit our websites at www. If you are disabled , we may exclude from your earned income any out-of-pocket expenses you pay for certain items and services that relate to your disability that you need in order to work as long as the cost is reasonable. It does not matter if you also use these items and services for non-work activities.

However, if somebody reimburses you for these expenses, we cannot exclude them from your earned income. This means your SSI benefit could go up.

We may also consider these items when we figure your earnings in order to decide if you are doing substantial work. However, we do have to figure your countable income. If you are blind , we will deduct any part of your earned income that you spend to be able to work such as for transportation, taxes, or special equipment from the amount of income we use to figure your SSI benefit.

The expense does not have to be related to your blindness. If you are blind or have a disability, you may set up a plan to set aside income or resources to meet expenses for reaching a work goal. If you are a child living with your parent s , you may also exclude part of your parents' income and resources.

Unlike impairment-related work expenses, you may use a PASS to exclude unearned income and resources as well as earned income and use that money to meet the expenses of reaching your work goal. You cannot use your SSI payment to pay the expenses necessary to reach your work goal. This is because you must use the SSI to pay ordinary living expenses. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of Public Law provides several important opportunities for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability or SSI benefits and who want to go to work or increase their earnings.

See our website at www. The Ticket program is available in all States. Visit the Training and Events page! Here, you will find a calendar of upcoming events, information about past events, and training materials to help you manage your Ticket Program operations.

Is your organization interested in becoming an Employment Network EN? The U. Workforce entities qualify automatically to become ENs and are encouraged to learn more about the benefits and many ways to participate in the Ticket Program.

Your eligibility will be verified by the service provider with whom you choose to work. If you decide to participate, getting started is easy! Our customer service representatives will explain to you how the program works and answer any questions or address any concerns you might have. They will also offer to mail you a list of service providers, or if you prefer, you can use the Find Help tool to get a customized list of providers that are available to help you. The next step is deciding what service provider is right for you.

You may also receive services from your VR agency and then receive ongoing services from an Employment Network. Some ENs are also part of a state's public workforce system. These workforce ENs provide access to additional employment support services including training programs and special programs for youth in transition and veterans.

A Ticket to Work participant who assigns their Ticket to a workforce EN will either work with a workforce EN directly or via other providers in the workforce system, including American Job Centers.

Learn more about choosing the right service provider on the Path to Work: Ready to Work. Once you and your service provider decide to work together, you will collaboratively develop a plan to help you reach your work goals.

If you don't have a my Social Security account, you can sign up for one today. Once you log in to your account, you can manage your notification preferences under "Message Center Preferences" to start receiving courtesy messages either in your email or as a text message.

Remember, you'll still receive your notice in the mail, but you can also choose to receive COLA notices online through your my Social Security account. Social Security's Ticket to Work Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the supports and services they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.

As you think about what the COLA means for you, you may have questions. Working with a Ticket Program service provider , like an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation agency, that has Benefits Counselor on staff may help you find the answers and information you're looking for.

The Ticket Program shares information about Work Incentives and employment resources for people with disabilities on a regular basis. Subscribe to our emails, sign up for text messaging and follow us on social media to stay updated on the Program and discover resources designed to help you succeed on the path to work.