Ticket to Work / Benefits Basics:
DRC’s & One-Stop Staff Serving as a
Resource on the TtW program
Hosted/Facilitated by:
Laura Gleneck
Presented by:
Kevin Nickerson & Jamie Robinson,
NDI Technical Assistance Team Members
2011 Training Series (March 22, 2011)

DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating
LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks (EN)
under Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Ticket to Work
Program (TtW).

Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in attaining
Employment Network status and implementing effective EN
operations is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI
Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI).

Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation
and outcomes as Employment Network will be provided under
U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.
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2
Ticket to Work/Benefits Basics
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, DEI Project staff will:

Understand how the TtW Program compliments the objectives
of the DEI project

Have a clear picture of the DRC role in expanding the
workforce system’s capacity to serve as an EN

Understand the learning models & partnerships that ensure
benefits planning services to Ticket holders served within
workforce system EN

Have downloadable TOOLKITs with TtW information &
resources that help to build One-Stop & customer awareness
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
Ticket to Work as Major Component of DEI
◦ Expanding Services
◦ Sustainability

Ticket to Work & SSA Disability Benefits
◦ Ticket Eligibility
◦ Program Design
◦ EN Payments at a Glance

DRC Role: Effective EN Models and Partnerships
◦ Ticket to Work Operations – Overview
◦ TtW Models

Downloadable TOOLKITs – TtW Information & Resources
For One-Stop Staff & Customers
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Ticket to Work as
Major Component of DEI
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
DEI pilot sites are required to become EN’s to expand
services to individuals with disabilities who receive either SSI
or SSDI benefits within the One-Stop system

One-Stop Career Centers serve ALL customers, including
individuals with disabilities, many of whom are Ticket holders

One-Stop Career Centers are able to provide the services
expected of ENs, which can lead Ticket holders to greater
levels of self-sufficiency

Ticket holders often need additional assistance in the return
to work due to periods of unemployment that can sometimes
be lengthy

ENs can provide a more individualized approach in assisting
Ticket holders that adds another layer of service beyond the
core services of the One-Stop Career Center

DRCs can greatly enhance the likelihood of increased
employment and training opportunities for Ticket holders
within the workforce system

Becoming an EN not only expands services to SSI/SSDI
beneficiaries, it also produces a source of revenue that can
help to maintain disability-related staffing/supports within the
One-Stop setting

EN revenue is flexible and can also supplement the needs of
Ticket holders not otherwise covered by other program
related funding (i.e. as an incentive, or for the purchase of
goods or services that promote the achievement of EN
Milestones & Outcome payments)
Partnership Plus
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
Ticket Holders are qualified Social Security Disability
Beneficiaries ages 18 to 64, receiving Title XVI and/or Title II
benefits (SSI or SSDI)

Now both Medical Improvement Expected (MIE) and Medical
Improvement Not Expected (MINE) groups are eligible due to
changes in TtW regulations from 2008

At the time of Ticket assignment, Ticket holders must be in
current pay for Social Security benefits
Ticket to Work Basics

Creates opportunity for any entity (other than a Federal
Department) to become a TtW ‘Employment Network’ and begin
receiving payments for supporting ‘Ticket holders’ as they work at
increasing their earning capacity

Offers long-term funding to ensure Ticket holders receive
ongoing return to work support

Increases choice for Ticket holders and Employment Networks,
allowing both to choose who they work with under the program

With growing number of ENs, TtW provides even greater choice
for beneficiaries, highlighting the need for more meaningful
services to Ticket holders
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
The TtW Program is an employment placement and support
program driven by Outcomes and Milestones which follow the
Work Incentive package provided to SSDI beneficiaries

Understanding the basic elements of SSDI Work Incentives is
important in understanding how you can achieve Milestone
and Outcome payments

It is critical that Ticket holders you serve receive disability
benefits counseling BEFORE assigning a Ticket, in order to
ensure informed choice (whether provided in-house or
referred out)
Questions?
A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box
to the right, or…
B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted
and ask your question/make your comment.
Partnership Plus
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Ticket to Work Operations - Overview
EN & Ticket Holder Connect
EN & Ticket Holder discuss
needs/services & Ticket Holder
participates in benefits planning
EN & Ticket Holder Negotiate the
Individual Work Plan (IWP)
IWP is sent to Maximus – once
approved, Ticket is assigned to EN
(7 days +/-)
EN provides
agreed upon
services and
supports
Ticket Holder Goes
to Work
& EN Collects
Evidence of Earnings
EN submits
Payment Request
to Maximus &
receives Ticket
Payment
(30 days +/-)
EN continues to
provides services &
supports in
accordance with
Ticket Holder’s IWP
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
DRCs have expertise in TtW Program, but rely on other
providers for SSA benefits counseling of Ticket holders

DRCs partner with the Work Incentive Planning Assistance
(WIPA) project staff or Community Work Incentive
Coordinators (CWICs) to provide benefits counseling to
Ticket holders

DRCs maximize partnerships by assisting CWICs in
coordinating Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE), which
bring together CWICs, ENs and Ticket holders with
assistance from the Beneficiary Access and Support
Services (BASS) contractor

For more information about WIPA:
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/wipa.htm

To find your WIPA project:
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/byst
ate

To learn more about WISE events:
http://www.chooseworkttw.net/

ADVANTAGES:
◦ DRCs can focus on understanding the TtW program and
operations of an EN, and do not have to be the experts in
understanding complex SSA disability benefits
◦ Provides an opportunity for collaboration with the local WIPA
provider and incorporation of WISE events in the One-Stop
Career Centers
◦ If one of your State’s DEI Strategic Delivery Components is
“Partnership & Collaboration”, this model naturally promotes
DRCs in achieving this objective

DISADVANTAGES:
◦ Ticket holder will wait longer to receive services from your EN, as
the referral process for benefits counseling will require additional
time
◦ There may still be some level of disconnect for DRCs coordinating
EN operations in understanding how benefits are impacted by
work, and therefore, how to predict future revenue based on TtW
Milestones and Outcomes
◦ For Ticket holders receiving long-term follow up supports, DRCs
will continue to need to coordinate referrals to benefits counseling
services, rather than provide directly

DRC has understanding of how the TtW Program operates
AND has training in SSA disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) and
work incentives

Example: NYS is working toward this model
◦ DRC’s will be involved in EN operations AND are required to
utilize disability benefits training available through NYS Medicaid
Infrastructure Grant (MIG)
◦ Trained benefits planners through MIG will continue to be
supported through the Work Incentive Information Network
(WIIN: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/nymakesworkpay/mimpact.cfm#1)

ADVANTAGES:
◦ DRC provides benefits planning services immediately to Ticket
holders, providing a rapid response to their interest in returning to
work – Reduces time required from initial contact, to Ticket
assignment
◦ Ticket holders continue to receive follow-up supports which
includes SSA benefits counseling, in order to address any issues
that arise
◦ DRC’s with benefits counseling expertise are well equipped to
recognize when, and know how, to utilize Work Incentives of
Ticket holders, and therefore may be more likely to help EN
achieve Phase 2 Milestone payments

DISADVANTAGES:
◦ DRCs have many responsibilities under the DEI, and adding a
layer of training and expertise may be challenging
◦ In order to be an effective benefits counselor, you must regularly
use this knowledge; therefore, DRCs will have to dedicate some
time to this task, which may be difficult to balance with other
responsibilities
◦ Not every state has benefits training available, so there may be
an additional expense in seeking out this training for DRCs

DRC and One-Stop staff member (who is assigned as designated
TtW Liaison) both have knowledge of TtW Program, but rely on
partnerships for benefits counseling with Ticket-holders

ADVANTAGES:
◦ Provides back-up to DRC in the event that Ticket holder needs
immediate attention or assistance, and further ingrains the TtW
Program as a service provided in the workforce system
◦ Either the TtW Liaison or the DRC can assist a Ticket holder that
utilizes One-Stop services, and both understand how to connect
the Ticket holder for benefits planning services
◦ Both the DRC and TtW Liaison understand how to assign a Ticket
by completing the required IWP & Prior Earnings Worksheet

While the WIPA project is a valuable resource, the number of
CWICs available to assist SSA disability beneficiaries is
limited (some states, extremely limited)

In many states, benefits planners utilize a fee for service
approach, sometimes due to the lack of available CWICs

Due to the flexible nature of TtW funds, it is possible to use
these funds to purchase needed items, or, in this case,
benefits planning services
◦ Example: Develop contract with a private certified benefits
planner, whereby payment is provided if and when the Ticket
holder returns to work at a level which would qualify the EN for
payment
◦ The payment to the private provider could be a percentage of
EN payment(s), or a set amount provided after the first payment
is achieved by the EN
Questions?
A: Submit it to the host in writing via the Chat or Q&A Box
to the right, or…
B: Click on the “raise hand” icon to have your line un-muted
and ask your question/make your comment.

Ticket to Work & Social Security Disability Benefits
TOOLKIT For One-Stop Career Centers

Ticket to Work & Social Security Disability Benefits
TOOLKIT For Customers Who Are Ready to Work
◦ Part I: Review of TtW sections only
◦ Part II: Review of SSA disability benefits sections only
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
Participate in Part 2: Ticket to Work/Benefit Basics
 DRC’s & One-Stop’s role in serving as a resource on SSA
disability benefits & work incentives, & other state work incentive
programs
 The most critical components of SSI/SSDI, including eligibility &
work incentives, & other state work incentive programs
 Review of TtW & SSA Disability Benefits TOOLKITs:
 For One-Stop Customers Who Need Information on
Applying for SSA Benefits
 For One-Stop’s on SSA Benefits & Work Incentives
 For Customers Who Are Ready for Work
 Link to 3/24/11 training registration:
https://ndi.webex.com/ndi/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=960568317
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Contact Information
Kevin Nickerson
Program Associate
NDI Technical Assistance Team
knickerson@ndi-inc.org
*For Ticket to Work Technical Assistance needs, please email questions, or
requests to schedule a call. Email requests will be reviewed through out the week.
Jamie Robinson
Program Associate
NDI Technical Assistance Team
jrobinson@ndi-inc.org
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