Frequently Asked Questions
Reasons You May Not Qualify
Many people receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who are between the ages of 18 and 64, qualify for this federally sponsored return to work program. As a green initiative to save trees, SSA stopped sending out “paper” tickets to qualified beneficiaries a few years ago. Your Social Security Number now serves as your “Ticket.”
The Ticket to Work program is a national program that serves all 50 states and is managed and created by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It is an ‘outcome’ based program and the SSA must first authorize and approve any agency who wants to provide services under the program name. It not only helps someone find suitable work, but also gives them a professional agency who can guide them in many areas including finding legitimate employers that fit their abilities, job development, resumes, interviews, accommodations and guidance with benefit questions.
Your State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation may be able to help you. Click here to find a list by state. Another way is through Career One Stop which has computers and resources to help you find a job. You can also email us at Help@myemploymentoptions.com for a free job resources list (auto reply). If you have questions about various types of government benefits, you can visit Benefits.gov.
The easiest and most positive approach is through Employment Options: The Ultimate Resource for Job Seekers with Disabilities and other Challenges written by Employment Options’ CEO, Paula Reuben Vieillet. This is the same proven methodology we use with our Ticket to Work clients. The workbook is also available in a convenient Ebook option.
Check out the tutorials on the Microsoft site here. To test your typing, you can also practice on typingtest.com or for some free typing tutorials follow this link. GCFLearn.org is also another free online learning resource to help with training on computers, social media, various programs, writing, and more.
We partner with numerous leading national Work At Home employers who send us their positions to fill. Requirements can often vary by the Employer and also the specific job. To learn more about our Work At Home job minimum requirements CLICK HERE.
Many people receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who are between the ages of 18 and 64, qualify for this federally sponsored return to work program. As a green initiative to save trees, SSA stopped sending out “paper” tickets to qualified beneficiaries a few years ago. Your Social Security Number now serves as your “Ticket.”
There are stages within the Ticket To Work program for those on SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). There is a “Trial Work Period” (TWL) and a “Substantial Gainful Activity” period that affect income when returning to work. Our Certified Benefits Specialist/CWIC will help you track your income throughout each stage of the program. Those that receive SSI benefits have different earning guidelines. See SSI question below.
A Trial Work period or TWL applies to those who receive SSDI benefits only. A Trial Work period is a work incentive that is given to those on SSDI to allow them to ‘test’ the waters. Social Security allows the person to try to return to work and is allowed to keep both their full disability benefits and health insurance during the Trial Period months. The SSA allows for 9 of these Trial Period months. A month in 2023 is counted as a trial if earnings exceed $1050 a month. Our Certified Benefits Specialist/CWIC will help you track your income. If you receive SSI, see that question below.
SGA stands for Substantial Gainful Activity. It is a term used by the SSA to determine if someone is eligible for disability benefits and to describe the level of work activity and earnings. If you receive SSDI benefits, the SGA amount is used to determine if your benefits continue after you return to work and complete your Trial Work Period. The 2023 SGA figure is $1470. If you are blind, SGA is $2460 (in 2023). Our Certified Benefits Specialist/CWIC will help you track your income. Those that receive SSI benefits have different earnings guidelines. See next question.
If your only income besides SSI is the money you make from your job, then we do not count the first $85 of your monthly earnings. We deduct 50 cents of every dollar you earn after the $85 deduction from your SSI payments.
During your Trial Work Period months (if you are on SSDI), you can earn or work as much as you are able. Once you have finished this period, then your cash benefits can be affected by your monthly earnings if you earn over $1470 a month. (2023 SGA). Returning to work using the program, however, is a ‘gradual’ process and different for each person. We do have full and part-time jobs. However, as Ticket Holders advance in the program, we help them work toward more hours, using program work incentives, to help reach self-sufficiency. Our Certified Benefits Specialist helps clients track income.
Our goal is to get you back to work as soon as possible. The time it takes differs for each individual and their work history, motivation, and personal situation. This is an ‘outcome’ based program and unlike other government programs, we do not receive any funding to help you find a job. We only get paid when you are ‘successfully’ working. We are highly motivated to place you in the the right position, so that you will stay successfully employed as long as you can. You can read our blog article.
We help you find the type of job that fits your skills and abilities. Before starting your job search, you will be professionally evaluated to make sure that we are looking in the right direction. We offer direct job placement in both Work At Home and employment in local communities in 48 states nationwide. See our Job Openings for types and categories. Your personal assigned job counselor will have all the latest job updates.
We do the best that we can to make sure you are completely satisfied, but sometimes the types of services or job that you may need, or want, are not offered through Employment Options. The great benefit of the Ticket to Work Program is that there are hundreds of authorized agencies nationwide that also offer different types of services and jobs. You are allowed to change employment networks. However, you are not able to work with more than one employment network at the same time.
To locate other agencies in the program, visit the Ticket to Work Find Help Tool or call 866-986-7842. (866-833-2967 (TTY)
To read more about the Ticket To Work program, follow this link. Feel free to also visit the government website, www.socialsecurity.gov/work or call 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)
The assistance we provide is personal and full service. Cash back companies* offer limited or no services. We do provide some financial help on a one-time, individual basis.
*If Employment Options has rendered services to a ticket holder that led to a job offer, cash back companies will not qualify for government pay-outs.
No, we are unable to pay for additional training or schooling. However, there are many types of authorized agencies in the Ticket to Work program and some do offer educational and training services. You can call the program at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)for assistance in finding those agencies.
No, Employment Options does not have the resources to help Ticket Holders with self-employment. We are trained and experienced in ‘direct’ job placement with national employers. However, our partner, NEBA provides ongoing support to SSA Ticket Holders seeking to start a new business. Please visit their website at NEBA Works to get more information on starting your own business or email ticket@nebaworks.com.