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SOCIAL SECURITY
The
Ticket to Work Program and Other Provisions of
The
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
(Aquí en Español)
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The Ticket to
Work Program is the cornerstone of the Ticket to Work and Work
Incentives Improvement Act.
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The Ticket Program
provides a Ticket to Social Security disability and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries that may
be used to obtain rehabilitation and employment services.
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An individual
may choose to receive services from a public or private
service provider in their community.
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Service providers,
called Employment Networks, work with Social Security and
SSI beneficiaries to provide assistance designed to help with
the transition to work.
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The Ticket Program
is voluntary. People with disabilities who receive a Ticket
are not required to work, but may choose to use their Ticket
to attempt to work. Likewise, Employment Networks are not
required to accept Tickets.
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The program
is being phased in nationally.
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The second phase
of the program will occur in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee
and Virginia, and in the District of Columbia.
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Within these
20 states, approximately 2.6 million beneficiaries with
disabilities will receive a Ticket. Tickets will be mailed
in stages starting in November.
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The program began
in 13 states in February 2002. The remaining 17 states will
implement the Ticket Program in 2003.
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In addition to
the Ticket to Work Program, other provisions of the law are
already in place to help support people with disabilities as
they go to work.
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The law removes
barriers that require people with disabilities to choose between
health care coverage and work.
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As of October
2000, Medicare hospital insurance coverage extends
for at least eight years and six months after most Social
Security disability beneficiaries go to work. Medicare coverage
continues even if an individual no longer receives a monetary
benefit from Social Security.
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Medicaid
coverage for SSI disability beneficiaries may be extended.
Since Medicaid is a state health benefit, the individual
states have the option to expand coverage to SSI beneficiaries
who work. State Medicaid offices can provide further information.
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Beneficiaries
may request expedited reinstatement of benefits if their disability
benefits have ended because of earnings from work.
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As of January
2001, people who go to work and then become unable
to continue working because of their medical condition may
have their benefits started again without filing a new application.
The request for expedited reinstatement of benefits, including
Medicare and Medicaid, must be made within 5 years after
benefits are terminated.
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Certain disability
reviews are postponed while a person with a disability is using
a Ticket.
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Social Security
will not conduct a regularly scheduled medical review of
a person receiving disability benefits if that person is
using a Ticket. Benefits can still be terminated if a beneficiary
has substantial earnings (defined by regulation, for 2002,
as more than $780 per month or more than $1,300 per month
for individuals who are blind).
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As of January
2002, Social Security disability beneficiaries who have
received benefits for at least 24 months will not have their
disability reviewed solely because of work activity. However,
regularly scheduled medical reviews can still be performed
and, again, benefits terminated if earnings are substantial.
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Social Security
established a network of community-based organizations in each
state to provide benefit planning, assistance and outreach to
disability beneficiaries who want to work. These public and
private organizations explain Social Security’s work incentive
programs and provide direct advice to Social Security and SSI
beneficiaries.
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Social Security
established protection and advocacy systems in each state to
provide legal advice and services to disability beneficiaries.
December
2002
SSA Press Office 449
Altmeyer Bldg. 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
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