What You Need to Know About the Ticket to Work Program

Starting or returning to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure where to begin. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate the process alone.

Whether you are just beginning to consider working or you are ready to take the next step, the Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can be a powerful partner on your path to financial independence.

What Is the Ticket to Work Program?

The Ticket Program is a free and voluntary Social Security program that supports career development for adults ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and want to work. The program connects participants with approved service providers who offer career development, job placement assistance, and ongoing support.

Authorized service providers offer a wide range of supports — including career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, job placement assistance, and training — to guide you along the way. The providers you choose become part of your personal “employment team,” working with you to build confidence, develop skills, and move closer to financial independence through work.

The goal is to make it easier to explore working without immediately losing the benefits you rely on.

How it Works

Through the program, your employment team will help you:

• Clarify your work goals
• Build a resume or update existing experience
• Identify job opportunities
• Receive ongoing support after employment begins

You choose who you work with, and the support you receive can evolve as your needs change over time.

Key Benefits of Participating

One of the biggest concerns people have is losing their benefits as soon as they begin working. The Ticket Program and other Work Incentives provide safeguards designed to ease that worry:

• Trial Work Period (TWP): You can test working for at least nine months while still receiving full SSDI benefit, regardless of how much you earn from your job.
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After the TWP, you have a 36-month window where benefits can restart if your income drops below a certain level.
• Continued Medicare or Medicaid coverage: Health coverage can continue even after benefits stop, often for several years.
• Protection from Medical Continuing Disability Reviews: As long as you make timely progress in the program, medical reviews of your disability will be paused.

These Work Incentives are important safety nets, but they can be complex, depending on which benefits you receive, and your specific situation. This listing is just a general overview. It is important to learn how each rule applies to you personally by talking to a service provider before making decisions about work and benefits. Take time to review the fact sheets linked above and consider taking some of the next steps listed below.

Who Should Consider the Ticket Program?

This program may be a good fit if you:

• Want to work but aren’t sure how it will affect your benefits
• Need help finding a job or gaining new skills
• Prefer ongoing guidance rather than navigating the process on your own

Things to Keep in Mind

While Ticket Program service providers offer strong support, it is important that you stay informed and organized to ensure you can take advantage of the full benefits of the program. Make sure you:

• Keep records of your work earnings
• Report earnings and income changes to Social Security
• Stay in contact with your service provider
• Ask questions whenever something is unclear

Final Thoughts

The Ticket Program is about more than employment; it’s about creating options. Whether your goal is a transition to work, a new career path, or greater financial independence, the program provides tools and protections to help you explore those possibilities.

If work has been on your mind, understanding how the program operates can open the door to opportunities that are manageable and sustainable.

Ready to Learn More?

• Attend a free WISE webinar to learn how the program works and get answers to common questions
• Visit the Ticket to Work website to explore resources and read more about your options
• Use the Find Help tool to connect with service providers that match your goals.

For personalized support, you can contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET. Specially trained representatives are available to answer many of your questions about disability benefits and Social Security Work Incentives. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, you can call our TTY at 1-866-833-2967. You can also email us at TicketToWork@ssa.gov.