Getting What Is Rightfully Yours

All About The SSDI Ticket To Work Program

26 August 2015 by Penny Fisher

Do you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? If so, you may be wondering about what would happen if you wanted to reenter the workforce. To deal with this issue, Social Security has developed a special program for recipients looking to return to work. This article takes a detailed look at the program, which is known as Ticket to Work. 

Purpose 

The purpose of the Ticket to Work Program is to give assistance to SSDI recipients who want gainful employment, but might have trouble performing their past jobs due to their disability. Ticket to Work partners with various organizations to provide training and other support services to all those who are accepted into the program. All of the services offered to the recipients are paid for by Social Security. There are no fees to the SSDI beneficiaries. 

Employment Network 

One key group of organizations that provide assistance for program members are called "employment networks." These organizations offer services such as job training, job placement assistance and continuing assistance once you are placed with an employer. Not every group provides a full complement of services. For example, a particular employer network may only assist those SSDI recipients who have a specific disability. It's crucial that you check out all of your employment network options carefully before you commit to any single group. Certain employer networks might be a good match for you, while others might not. 

Continuing Disability Review 

SSDI recipients must occasionally undergo a process known as a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). This procedure is to ensure that you are still eligible for government benefits due to your disability. One fear that some SSDI recipients have is that attempting to return to work may cause them to fail a CDR and thus lose their benefits. When you are part of the Ticket to Work program, however, this review is suspended while you are progressing in the program. 

Progress Review 

The CDR does not takes place while you are making progress in Ticket to Work, but Social Security does perform an annual review, known as a Timely Progress Review, to ensure that you are advancing as expected.  If Social Security determines that you are not progressing in Ticket to Work, then the CDRs will resume. 

Ticket to Work is great program for SSDI recipients looking for a way to get back into the workforce. Contact the Social Security Administration for more information about this helpful program. You may also want to consult with a disability lawyer.

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