Youth Toolkit (En español)
Ticket to Work is all about helping you take control of your future. If you're receiving Social Security disability benefits and thinking about working, this free program connects you with career support to help you get started, stay on track, and build toward financial independence. You'll get access to job coaching, training, and other resources designed to help you grow your skills and find work that fits your goals. It's totally up to you—no pressure, just support when you’re ready to take that next step. Choose Work! - Ticket to Work - Social Security
If you are an SSI recipient age 14-17, visit What You Need To Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI), When You Turn 18.
When you turn 18, we will need to make a new decision about your disability that may affect your benefits. We refer to this process as an age-18 redetermination.
Youth Resources
Social Security has youth-friendly resources to help youth and young adults with disabilities access important information needed to achieve education, career, and life goals. These resources are available for youth who are transitioning to adulthood, as well as their parents, teachers, health providers, caregivers, or representatives, to support a successful transition to adulthood.
- Find out about the services and supports available from Social Security.
- Learn more about resources for transition-aged youth to connect to national and community supports and resources.
- Connect to supports for youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and information about what may change when SSI youth turn 18.
- Find training for youth with disabilities preparing to work.
- Navigate to information and supports to help SSI youth become self-sufficient.
- Connect to free counseling and free employment service providers for SSA beneficiaries ages 18-64 who have a disability and want to work.
- Learn how work can affect your payments for age 14 and up.
Download a Brochure
- Qualifying for Benefit Continuation After You Turn 18: EN-64-118
- What Resources and Services Are Available To Help You Earn Money?: EN-64-119
- How Can Work Incentives Help You Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid While Working?: EN-64-120.pdf
- What You Need to Know About Earning Money and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): EN-64-121
- Turning 18: EN-64-122
- Resources for Work Equals Success for Me!: EN-64-123
If we decide that you are no longer medically disabled, your benefits can continue under certain circumstances. To learn more, select continue your benefit payments.
What Should I Do Now?
It’s not too soon to start preparing for your transition. Here are a few tips to get you started.
If you are ages 14 and 15 GET PREPARED!
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Share our publications with people in your support system such as, your guardians, parents, representatives, caregivers, healthcare providers, counselors, teachers, etc. Have a conversation with them. You can ask questions like the ones below:
- What happens to your SSI payments when you turn age-18?
- How can they help you get ready for your transition?
- What programs do you qualify for? Tell them what programs you’re interested in!
- Of the programs that you’re interested in, do any of them make you potentially eligible for continued SSI payments after an age-18 medical review?
- Do you have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)? If not, should you?
- Research what reasonable accommodations you can request in educational settings and work environments.
- Consider what services you may need to achieve your future plans for continued education, vocational training and work.
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Once you’ve considered what programs you’d like to pursue, ask your guardians, counselors, teachers, advocates, etc. for help with researching things like:
- When is the best time to apply for VR services or continuing education?
- How do you begin the application processes?
- What materials are needed for the application?
- What is the typical length of waiting lists for programs or services you’d like to enroll in?
- Are there scholarships and grants available?
If you are ages 16 or 17 ACT NOW!
- Contact your local State VR and ask what services they provide and how you can enroll. Ask if there are waiting lists or timeframes you should be aware of and ask what documentation you should bring. If programs have waiting lists, apply for the program as soon as you are eligible for services.
- Start working on your applications for college, community college, vocational rehabilitation, etc. before your scheduled age-18 redetermination. Remember, you must participate in an appropriate program BEFORE a medical cessation to be eligible for Section 301 payment continuation.
- Apply for scholarships and grants that are available.
- Read the publication in our Youth Toolkit to take advantage of the supports we offer for your transition.