The following are common questions about the Ticket to Work Program and the services offered by Human Solutions.
- What is the Ticket to Work & Self Sufficiency Program?
- Do I have to participate in the Ticket Program if I have a Ticket?
- What are the benefits to me if I sign up for the Ticket program?
- What services does Human Solutions provide to Ticket holders?
- Will Human Solutions find me a job?
- Aside from telling you I'm working, do I need to provide any additional information or proof?
- Even if I go back to work part-time, will SSA believe I have medically improved and terminate my benefits?
- How do I sign up to work with Human Solutions?
- What if I'm signed up with another Employment Network, and I want to switch?
1. What is the Ticket to Work & Self Sufficiency Program?
It’s an employment program for individuals with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The Ticket Program is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. The program provides Social Security disability beneficiaries with choices for receiving employment services, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, or other support services to maximize their self-sufficiency through work.
The purpose of the Ticket program is to offer the support you need to increase your ability to work, your earnings and the chance that you will become and stay self-supporting.
Under the Ticket Program, eligible disability beneficiaries can contact any service provider approved by the Social Security Administration that serve as an Employment Network (EN). Together, the beneficiary and EN work together to develop an Individual Work Plan (IWP). The IWP is a mutually agreed upon agreement that's tailored to support and meet the beneficiary's needs and employment goals. There are more than 11 million Ticketholders nationwide who are eligible for the program or are already working.
You can visit the Ticket to Work website for more information.
2. Do I have to participate in the Ticket Program if I have a Ticket?
No. The Ticket Program is voluntary. To be eligible for the Ticket program, you must be between the ages of 18-64 and currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Beneficiaries eligible for Ticket to Work services can contact one or more ENs to discuss services. The Ticket can only be active with one EN at a time. Before deciding if the program is right for you, it's important to understand the program's goals and expectations. See Question #4 for additional details.
3. What are the benefits to me if I sign up for the Ticket program?
Aside from receiving a full array of job search and follow along services, one of the main benefits of signing up for the Ticket program is that Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) will be waived while the Ticket is active and Timely Progress is being made. See Question #13 for additional details about Timely Progress. If you're interested in having one of our staff contact you, please complete our Client Interest form.
4. What services does Human Solutions provide to Ticket holders?
Human Solutions is a Traditional Employment Network (EN). As an EN, our role is to do all we can to help you reduce and ultimately eliminate dependency on disability benefits and earn a better living than you do now. If needed, you can begin working part-time during the first 9 months but should have a goal to become self-supporting in time. You should work towards having earnings of $1,110/month or more per month by at least the 10th month after you start working with us. You should also have a goal of earning above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount of $1,550 (2024) or more per month after your first year of work. You won't be penalized if you can't become fully self-supporting. However, if you decide to use your ticket, you should make a commitment to try your best to achieve these goals. Please keep in mind that the amounts above change annually per the Social Security Administration.
Human Solutions' services are offered virtually so you can access them at a place and time that’s convenient for you. One-on-one counseling will be provided as we develop your Individualized Work Plan (IWP). You will have access to a variety of online, self-directed training and resource materials. Additionally, weekly Quick Coach sessions with our team area available to help move your employment goal forward. To help you stay employed and continue to advance your career, Human Solutions also has a Retention Program.
5. Will Human Solutions find me a job?
We do not provide direct job placement services. What we do provide is the necessary tools and supports to find a job, or in some cases, seek self-employment. Your responsibility in the process is to take the lead in moving your job search forward. If you are ready to work or have a definite work goal in mind, our services may be a great fit.
6. Aside from telling you that I'm working, do I need to provide any additional information or proof?
Yes. You will need to provide a photocopy of your pay stubs showing that your gross monthly earnings were $1,110 or more per month during your first 9 months of working, and $1,550 or more per month thereafter. These amounts are for 2024 and change annually. Pay stubs are the preferred form of evidence.
If you are self-employed, the reporting requirements are different. We will discuss those options with you individually.
Reporting your earnings is a necessary part of the Ticket program to ensure you are making Timely Progress. We are here to assist you in reporting your wages accurately to Social Security.
7. If I go back to work, even part-time, will SSA believe I have medically improved and terminate my benefits?
As long as you have your Ticket assigned and are making Timely Progress according to SSA’s schedule in the Ticket to Work program, SSA will not initiate a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) during that time. If you are not making Timely Progress in the Ticket to Work program according to SSA’s schedule, they may begin a Continuing Disability Review to determine if you are medically improved or still disabled.
Timely Progress can be reviewed annually based on your Ticket assignment date. For 2024, Trial Work Level (TWL) is $1,110/month and Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is $1,550/month for beneficiaries with disabilities and $2,590/month for individuals who are blind.
The current Timely Progress requirements for the Ticket to Work program can be viewed here.
8. How do I sign up to work with Human Solutions?
If you are interested in moving forward after you have read through the Questions & Answers and have checked out our Services page, you can complete and submit our online Client Interest form. Once it is received, and we have had an opportunity as a team to review it, we'll contact you to schedule a one-on-one career counseling session with one of our staff. During that session, we will determine your eligibility for the program and next steps.
We want you to make an informed choice when signing up with us, so be sure to take the time to read what and how we offer our Ticket services. As previously mentioned, most of our services are provided virtually, which means you will be responsible, with our assistance and support, for moving the job placement process forward.
We look forward to working with you!
Important Note: To assign your Ticket to any Employment Network, you must be “Ticket Eligible,” and your Ticket must be "assignable." In other words, your Ticket can't be assigned to another Employment Network, or you cannot have an open case with your State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. If you are uncertain of your status, you can contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at (866) 968-7842 / (866) 833-2967 (TTY) for verification.
9. What if I am already signed up with another Employment Network, and I want to switch?
As a Ticket holder, you can choose at any time to seek the services of a different Employment Network. If you believe our services are a good match for you, and you'd like to reassign your ticket, you can email us at ticket@humansolutionstraining.com for assistance. We will provide you with the information you need to reassign your Ticket. Once approved, you will then follow our standard process for enrolling in our services.
