TICKET TO WORK Free Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work

Transcription

1 TICKET TO WORK Free Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work Using Your Ticket to Work: Your Journey to Financial Independence Social Security Administration Ticket to Work (TTW) Beneficiary Access and Support Services (BASS)

2 Agenda Welcome and Introductions The Ticket to Work Program Work Incentives Your Employment Team Resources Questions and Answers 2

3 Welcome and Introductions Ann Gordon, Beneficiary Access and Support Services, Social Security, Ticket to Work program Michael Greenberg, Beneficiary Access and Support Services, Social Security, Ticket to Work program Michele Boardman, certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator, AHEDD 3

4 4 The Ticket towork Program

5 Meet Ben! 5

6 Why Choose Work? Earn Income Gain Independence Meet New People Learn New Skills 6

7 Starting the Journey: Only You Can Decide if Work Is The Right Choice For You 7

8 The Ticket to Work Program Provides employment support services for people age 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income due to disability or blindness Is free and voluntary 8

9 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Social Security Disability Insurance 9

10 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Supplemental Security Income 10

11 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Social Security Disability Insurance Supplemental Security Income 11

12 If I use my Ticket to go to work, Social Security will perform a medical review on me and I will lose my benefits. 12

13 If I use my Ticket to go to work, Social Security will perform a medical review on me and I will lose my benefits. Social Security ordinarily reviews your medical condition from time to time to see whether you are still disabled, using a process called the medical Continuing Disability Review, or medical CDR. If you participate in the Ticket program with either an Employment Network or your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, and make timely progress following your work plan, Social Security will not conduct a review of your medical condition. 13

14 My ticket can only be assigned once to either an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation. 14

15 My ticket can only be assigned once to either an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. 15 If you found help with a state VR agency, your case will generally be closed approximately 90 days after you start working. After VR services end, many people find that they need continuing support services to help them keep their job and increase their earnings over time. That s why state VR agencies often partner with ENs that provide ongoing support and other services that help you keep your job This arrangement, known as Partnership Plus, gives Ticket program participants continued access to individualized employment services, if needed. You are free to change your provider if you are not satisfied with their services. Social Security calls deciding to change employment support providers "unassigning" and" re-assigning" your ticket.

16 I can t use Ticket to Work to work from home 16

17 I can t use Ticket to Work to work from home You can work from home using the Ticket to Work program! Some Employment Networks can help you find jobs that allow you to work at home, or even start your own business. 17

18 Taking the Next Step Gathering information and resources is key to planning your journey toward employment. Ticket to Work and Work Incentives can help make your journey a smooth one. 18

19 19 Work Incentives

20 Work Incentives Work Incentives are special rules that allow you to: Receive training for new skills Improve the skills you already have Pursue your education Try different jobs Start a career Gain confidence 20

21 Most Common Work Incentives Earned Income Exclusion Protection from Medical Continuing Disability Reviews Trial Work Period Continuation of Medicare Coverage Expedited Reinstatement 21

22 Other Work Incentives You Should Know About Plan to Achieve Self Support Student Earned Income Exclusion Section 1619(b) Continued Medicaid Eligibility 22

23 Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) If you receive SSI or can become eligible to receive it, you could benefit from a PASS plan. A PASS allows you to set aside other income and assets besides your SSI for a specified period of time so that you may pursue a work goal. When Social Security figures your SSI payment amount, they do not count the income and assets that you set aside under your PASS plan. 23

24 Plan to Achieve Self Support Anyone such as an EN, VR agency counselor, social worker or benefits specialist--can help you set up a PASS. What you should know: It must be in writing and designed especially for you. It must identify a specific work goal that you are capable of performing. It must show what income you receive (other than SSI) and how that income will be used to reach your work goal. It must be approved and reviewed periodically to measure progress toward your work goal. 24

25 Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) If you are under age 22 and regularly attending school, you qualify for SEIE. In 2015, Social Security does not count up to $1,780 of earned income per month when figuring your SSI payment (maximum yearly exclusion = $7,180). SEIE is applied before your general income exclusion or your earned income exclusion. 25

26 Student Earned Income Exclusion You are regularly attending school if you take one or more courses and attend classes: In a college or university for at least 8 hours a week OR In grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week OR In a training course to prepare for employment for at least 12 hours a week (15 hours a week if the course involves shop practice). 26

27 Student Earned Income Exclusion If you are home-taught, you are considered to be regularly attending school if: You are instructed in grades 7-12 for at least 12 hours a week AND The instruction is in accordance with a home school law of your state or jurisdiction. 27

28 Student Earned Income Exclusion If you are home taught because of your disability: Your courses of study must be provided by a school (grades 7-12), college, university or government agency AND A home visitor or tutor must direct the study. 28

29 1619(b) Continued Medicaid Eligibility With monthly earnings of $1,551 in calendar year 2015, you can still receive SSI cash benefits under 1619(a) status. Even when cash benefits are suspended, 1619(b) status allows for continuation of Medicaid. In calendar year 2015, the Pennsylvania Medicaid Threshold is $35,821. Visit for other state thresholds. 29

30 30 Your Employment Team

31 Employment Team Employment Networks (EN) State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects 31 Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) Workforce (WF) Employment Networks

32 Employment Networks (EN) EN services may include: Career Planning Job Leads and Job Placement Ongoing Employment Support Benefits Counseling 32

33 Selecting the Right EN Tips for selecting an EN: Determine what kind of help you need Talk with multiple ENs Ask questions Use the Ticket to Work Beneficiary Worksheet 33

34 State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies VR services may include: Intensive Training Education Rehabilitation Career Counseling Job Placement Assistance Benefits Counseling 34

35 Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects Working with a WIPA project can help you: 35 Decide whether the Ticket to Work program is right for you. Understand the potential benefits of employment as a person who receives disability benefits from Social Security while dispelling the myths about working. Analyze how work and earnings may impact your Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), will impact your Medicare and/or Medicaid, and other public benefits. Understand the services a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency or an Employment Network (EN) may provide and how they might fit best with your needs.

36 Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) PABSS services are: Located throughout the 50 states, U.S. territories, and the Tribal Nations. Designed to help SSI and SSDI beneficiaries with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from working. Free to everyone that receives a Social Security benefit or Medicare/Medicaid based on disability benefits. 36

37 Workforce Employment Networks (WF) Workforce ENs are ENs that are also part of a state s public workforce system. Workforce ENs provide access to a wide array of 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. 37

38 38 Resources

39 Find Help Tools Visit: to search for the right service provider for you. Sample questions from the Help Me Choose Wizard OR 39

40 Ticket to Work Learning Tutorials Whether you are just considering working, ready to find a service provider to help you, are looking for a job, or already working and want to keep on the road to financial independence, these four interactive learning modules will equip you with the knowledge you need to achieve your work goals. 40

41 Welcome to you Path to Work! Whether you are just considering working, ready to find a service provider to help you, are looking for a job, or already working and want to keep on the road to financial independence, explore the Path to Work to learn more at every part of your journey. Select the phase that best describes where you are on your journey at the top and then navigate to each article. 41

42 Ticket to Work Beneficiary Worksheet The purpose of this worksheet is to help a beneficiary who wants to work find an Employment Network (EN) where they can assign their ticket. When a beneficiary receives a list of service providers from the Ticket to Work Help Line or the Choose Work website s Find Help tool, this worksheet may assist them when calling, ing, or visiting ENs to find one that is right for them. This worksheet provides a list of questions to ask and space to write answers, which may help with the decision to assign a Ticket. 42

43 Ticket to Work ASL Video A new Ticket to Work video, Finding Your Path to Employment with Ticket to Work in American Sign Language, was produced to provide an overview of the Ticket program to help deaf or hard of hearing beneficiaries acquire information about the program in American Sign Language! 43

44 Section 503 Section 503 provides job opportunities for people with disabilities; and the Ticket to Work program can help those Social Security beneficiaries who are ready to work! Talk with your EN or VR to learn about job opportunities with businesses that do work for the federal government. The Ticket to Work Virtual Job Fairs (VJFs) may be able to connect you with employers who are ready to hire. 44

45 For More Information Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: (V) (TTY) 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST (Monday-Friday) Visit: Connect: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: 45

46 Success Stories 46

47 47 Questions