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Ticket to Work


What is the Ticket to Work Program?

The goal of the national Ticket to Work program is to give people receiving disability benefits the chance to achieve steady, long-term, gainful employment.

Ticket holders get more choices regarding the return to work, earning income and receiving continued healthcare benefits than ever before. This is a voluntary employment-related program. When an individual gets a Ticket, he or she is free to choose whether or not to use the Ticket and what Employment Network to work with.

How Does this Program Work?Ticket to Work Certificate
Eligible beneficiaries receive "Tickets" (see image) from the Social Security Administration. After receiving a Ticket, if a person wants to go to work, they contact and "assign" their Ticket to a local entity called an Employment Network like Challenge or any State Vocational Rehabilitation agency.

With the counselor, an Individual Work Plan (IWP) is developed stating the desired employment goals. After this is done, the Ticket is considered "in use."

When a person's Ticket is in use, no Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) take place, as long as the person demonstrates they are making "timely progress" and/or working to meet the goals identified in their IWP.

Who is Eligible?
Due to recent changes in the Ticket to Work program rules, most SSI and SSDI beneficiaries are eligible to receive Tickets. Generally, eligible beneficiaries:

  • Are 18 or older and have not reached age 65
  • Are in "current pay status" for monthly Title II (SSDI), or Title XVI (SSI) cash benefits based on disability in the month of Ticket assignment

Challenge received the very first "Ticket" assignment in New York state, and is widely recognized as a leading expert on the Ticket to Work program since 2001.

For more information, or if you are a Ticket Holder contact
Jason Harriott at 607-272-7570 Ext.105 or email Jason

Jason is the Community Work Incentive Coordinator for Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Sullivan counties and Disability Program Navigator for Tompkins County.