Tuesday, May 20, 2008 <\/p>\n
For Immediate Release <\/p>\n
Mark Lassiter, Press Officer <\/p>\n
410-965-8904 <\/p>\n
press.office@ssa.gov <\/p>\n
Social Security Announces Improvements to the Ticket to Work Program <\/p>\n
The Social Security Administration issued final rules designed to
\nimprove the Ticket to Work program. The changes will improve the
\neffectiveness of the Ticket program in assisting beneficiaries with
\ndisabilities who want to work. <\/p>\n
“These rules outline a new and improved Ticket to Work program and
\nare based on learning from our experiences, listening to input from
\ninterested parties, and responding to their suggestions,” said Michael
\nJ. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “Beneficiaries with
\ndisabilities will have greater flexibility and expanded choices in
\nobtaining the services they need to attain their employment goals.” <\/p>\n
The new Ticket to Work program rules: <\/p>\n
Include more beneficiaries under the Program–The population of
\nindividuals eligible for a Ticket is expanded to include beneficiaries
\nwho are expected to medically improve.
\n Increase incentive payments for Employment Networks (ENs)–The new
\nrules modify the EN payment systems to create greater financial
\nincentives for service providers to participate, which will improve
\nbeneficiary access to services and expand the pool of quality
\nproviders available to serve beneficiaries.
\n Increase the value of the Ticket–The rules for Ticket assignment
\nare changed to enable beneficiaries with disabilities to take
\nadvantage of a more effective combination of services from both State
\nVocational Rehabilitation agencies and ENs.
\n Synergize efforts–The new rules promote better alignment of the
\nTicket to Work Program, the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
\nProgram, the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social
\nSecurity Program, and other Social Security work incentive
\ninitiatives. <\/p>\n
“Thus far, the results of the Ticket to Work program have been less
\nthan everyone expected and clearly less than Congress intended,”
\nCommissioner Astrue said. “We need to monitor the results of today\u2019s
\nregulation closely, but it is highly likely that Congress will need to
\nrevisit the statute in the next few years in order to achieve the
\ngoals that Congress intended.” <\/p>\n
In preparation for the new Ticket to Work program, Social Security is
\nundertaking a major recruitment effort to increase the number of
\norganizations functioning as ENs. Social Security also is initiating
\ntargeted outreach to promote the Program to more beneficiaries and to
\nencourage their participation. In addition, Social Security is
\npresenting at national and state conferences and bringing
\nbeneficiaries and ENs together at local Work Incentives Seminars (WISE
\nevents) throughout the country. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
\nImprovement Act of 1999 established the Ticket to Work and
\nSelf-Sufficiency Program. The purpose of the Ticket to Work program is
\nto expand the universe of service providers available to beneficiaries
\nwith disabilities who are seeking vocational rehabilitation,
\nemployment and related support services. These service providers are
\navailable to assist beneficiaries in obtaining, regaining and
\nmaintaining self-supporting employment. Available in all 50 States and
\nthe US territories, the Ticket to Work program is an important
\ncomponent in a coordinated series of work incentives and initiatives
\nthat are designed to help overcome barriers to employment often
\nexperienced by beneficiaries with disabilities. The final rule, 20 CFR
\nPart 411, can be accessed through the <\/p>\n
Federal Register online at http:\/\/www.regulations.gov
\n . For general information about the Ticket to Work Program, visit
\nSocial Security’s website–The Work Site:
\nhttp:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/work
\n . <\/p>\n
# # # <\/p>\n
SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore,
\nMD 21235 410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pressoffice\/pr\/tickettowork-pr-0508.htm<\/p>\n
press release from 5\/20\/08 <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/work\/documents\/Chart_of_Key_Changes_to_Ticket_to_Work_Regulations_5292008.doc<\/p>\n
Side by side comparison of the new regulations, released 5\/29\/08 <\/p>\n
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008 For Immediate Release Mark Lassiter, Press Officer 410-965-8904 press.office@ssa.gov Social Security Announces Improvements to the Ticket to Work Program The Social Security Administration issued final rules designed to improve the Ticket to Work program. The changes…<\/p>\n