Understanding Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program

With the proliferation of online work opportunities, those with disabilities have more opportunities than ever to find work from home. If you or a loved one have a disability that prevents you from working, the Ticket to Work Program could help you find a job and increase your earning potential. It can help prepare you for long-term success in the workplace. Read on to understand how the Ticket to Work Program can help to build your career.  

What Is the Ticket to Work Program?

The Ticket to Work Program is a government-assisted training program for people who currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and want to increase their earning potential. It's designed to help those with disabilities create greater financial independence

The Ticket to Work Program helps people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 to receive career development and create a path to long-term career success. The government-sponsored program is free and voluntary. This includes connecting people with disabilities with the services and support needed to succeed in the workplace. 

This government-sponsored program was created in 1999 through the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. Through the Ticket to Work Program, professionals with disabilities can enter the workforce and test their ability to work without losing access to healthcare. This addresses one of the major concerns of those with disabilities leaving the workforce. 

The program's goal is to help people who receive Social Security disability benefits leave disability payrolls and earn an independent salary that is ideally significantly higher than the maximum benefits.

With the Ticket to Work Program, participants can keep Medicare coverage for at least 8½ years after returning to work. If you're an SSDI beneficiary, you could qualify for premium-free Part A, which covers hospitalizations, even while working. You are also still eligible for Medicare Part B, but it must be paid independently by yourself, your employer or a third party. Learn more about Medicare eligibility here. 

How Does the Ticket to Work Program Work?

Anyone aged 18 through 64 who receives Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits because of a disability can participate in the Ticket Program. It's a free, voluntary program you can opt into anytime. 

The Ticket to Work Program is a good fit for people who want to improve their earning potential and are committed to building a long-term career. It offers qualified people with disabilities access to meaningful employment with the assistance of authorized employment service providers.

SSI and SSDI payments are limited, making it difficult for those who rely solely on these benefits to make ends meet. For 2024, the maximum monthly SSI federal cash payments are $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples. SSDI payment varies based on individual factors such as the number of dependents you have. In any case, earning an additional income gives these people greater freedom and stability. These figures are updated annually according to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).

When you join the Ticket to Work Program, you can design a career development plan with specific goals on a certain timeline. The Social Security Administration (SSA) supports you to achieve specific goals and adds accountability.

Anyone who receives SSI or Social Security automatically qualifies. If interested in participating, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). You'll be given a ticket number and a connection to a vocational rehabilitation facility or a work placement through an employment network.

Ticket to Work Program Incentives

The Ticket to Work Program addresses the major concern of those with disabilities returning to the workforce: the possibility of losing health insurance. With Ticket to Work, you can continue to access Medicare or Medicaid for up to 93 months (seven years, nine months) after your SSI or SSDI payments have stopped, as long as you pay the premiums.

If you cancel Medicare and choose another health insurance plan, you won't be able to get back on Medicare unless you're approved for SSI or SSDI through expedited reinstatement. 

The flexibility to choose makes sense for many people. You may qualify for cheaper health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the health insurance marketplace from your state. Other incentives include:

Extended Eligibility Period

You are entitled to a Social Security check each month you earn less than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit for 36 consecutive months after you start working. The SGA is $1,550 monthly for nonblind people and $2,590 for blind individuals in 2024. The Ticket to Work Social Security transition period ends after 36 months.

Trial Work Period

You'll get a nine-month trial work period in which you receive your full check regardless of how much you earn. The nine months don't have to be consecutive. Any month in which you gross more than $970 as a W-2 employee or from self-employment counts as one of the nine months. 

Expedited Reinstatement

If you've had benefits stopped because of work, you are eligible for a faster decision and provisional payments while waiting for a decision. While this is an official incentive, expedited reinstatement can take months. It's rarely as fast as the name implies, so building an emergency fund while preparing to return to work is important.

Pros and Cons of the Ticket to Work

The Ticket to Work Program has significant advantages, including earning more, meeting new people and creating new opportunities, but it's not without a few drawbacks. Here is an overview of the pros and cons. 

What Are the Benefits of the Ticket to Work Program?

The benefits of the Ticket to Work Program center on new career opportunities. Pros include: 

• Find a career that fits your needs
• Get support to start your own business 
• Get specialized support and job placement
• Increase financial self-sufficiency
• Protect healthcare benefits 
• Get benefits payments while you try out a new job
• Meet new people 

What Are the Disadvantages of the Ticket to Work Program?

Disadvantages of the Ticket to Work Program include:

• If you opt for ACA health insurance, you may not be able to get back on Medicare. 
• After the extended eligibility and trial work period, you'll lose benefits even if you're making little more than you were on benefits.
• You may need additional disability insurance. 

Should You Try the Ticket to Work Program?

If you're interested in building a career and greater financial stability, Ticket to Work can help you achieve your goals. Carefully consider your skills, interests and availability to commit to working in a career long term. Ticket to Work can be a path to reduce your reliance on Social Security benefits while making more money, learning new skills and making connections. With the additional incentives and protections for healthcare insurance, it's an ideal transition to try out careers and build your income over time. Ready for the next steps? Learn more about Social Security versus retirement benefits to plan your financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions