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Partnership Plus Agreement Regarding the Social Security Administration
Ticket to Work Program
Between
The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
And
___________
I. Introduction
The new "Ticket to Work" regulations that went into effect on July 21, 2008 create an
opportunity for the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and ________ (Employment
Network) to improve employment outcomes for beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income
(S SI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This agreement establishes a
"Partnership Plus" program. This agreement is effective from the date of the latest signature by
the parties involved.
II. "Partnership Plus" Program
A. Purpose
The purpose of this Partnership Plus proposal is to develop an agreement between ______
and Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) under the SSA Ticket to Work Program.
This partnership is proposed for instances where a Ticket Holder has assigned his/her ticket to
DRS and the Ticket is in use. The proposed agreement establishes the basis for coordination of
vocational rehabilitation services under the Ticket to Work Program between DRS and ______.
This proposed partnership agreement would not preclude DRS and ______ from entering into
an individual agreement for services for a specific client.
The Partnership Plus proposal:

Builds on and strengthens the existing partnership around the provision of vocational
services for clients.

Ensures best practices and ethical standards are maintained and that the client's rights and
informed choices are respected.

Maximizes appropriate Outcome/Milestone and cost reimbursement systems available under
the Ticket to Work Program.
B. Duration
From date of final signature until December 31, 2014
C. Roles and Responsibilities
DRS will register a ticket as "IN USE SVR" with the program manager Maximus for all clients
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who choose to assign their Ticket to this Partnership while the DRS case is open. Once the client
is successfully employed at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) or has the likelihood that
Substantial Gainful Activity will be achieved within the next several months, DRS will assist
the client, with their full choice, involvement and consent, to transfer his/her Ticket to ______
once the DRS case is closed. At the point of transfer, ______ will perform the administrative
functions associated with the Ticket Program including enrollment, reporting, and billing
functions
DRS roles and responsibilities will include the following:
1.
Based on order of selection and appropriateness of services, DRS will identify potential
clients for this Partnership agreement. This is most appropriate for clients with a high
likelihood of reaching Substantial Gainful Activity.
2.
DRS will open cases as appropriate and explain the Ticket and Partnership process. DRS will
review with each client determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services his or her
options under the Ticket Program including the following:
 Partnership Plus: To sign the IPE with the understanding that the Ticket will be
considered in use at DRS; followed by assigning the Ticket to an EN based on informed
choice once DRS is closed;
 To assign the Ticket to another EN (initially or after closure from DRS); or
 To choose not to participate in the Ticket program;
3.
DRS will establish "Tickets in use" with the Program Manager Maximus for all clients who
choose to assign their Ticket to this Partnership.
4.
DRS will develop and maintain Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) on all clients
in the Partnership Plus agreement with ______.
5.
When/if vendor services are needed (situational assessment, job development, and/or job
training), DRS will refer and authorize to an appropriate vendor according to typical
processes and procedures.
6.
Once the client has been placed and stabilized, DRS will assist the client, with their full
choice and involvement, to re-assign his/her Ticket to the most appropriate EN for follow
along services once the DRS case is closed.
7.
DRS and ______ will coordinate information in an effort to facilitate all the required
reporting for the Partnership Plus agreement to the Program Manager.
8.
DRS will bill the Social Security Administration (SSA) for all appropriate Cost
Reimbursement expenditures for the Partnership Plus agreement.
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9.
DRS will provide, with appropriate client consent, a copy of the closure letter
to ______ to facilitate the “hand-off” to ______ as an EN. The closure letter
will contain the closure date, closure status as successfully employed, and
note the potential for post employment services and ongoing employment
supports.
______'s roles and responsibilities will include the following:
1. ______ will identify a staff person(s) to be a liaison for each office associated with
this agreement.
2. ______ will develop and maintain Individual Work Plans (IWP) on all clients in the
Partnership Plus Agreement and submit them to the program manager, Maximus, for
approval and assignment of the Ticket to______.
3. Once the client has been placed and stabilized, ______ will provide longterm follow up
with the client and employer, depending on need and appropriateness, including shortterm support and services when necessary to assure continued employment success of the
client.
4. Once the DRS case is closed and DRS has assisted the client to re-assign their Ticket to
______, ______ will establish "Ticket Assignment" with the Program Manager Maximus.
______ is then able to submit for Phase 2 Outcome Payments as achieved.
5. DRS and ______ will coordinate information in an effort to facilitate all the required
reporting for the Partnership Plus agreement to the Program Manager.
6. ______ will either provide monthly status reports including wage data, pay stubs and
other information or will provide certification of Ticket-holder earnings under the
current Certification Payment Request method pertinent to SSA Trust Fund
reimbursement. Status report also includes written documentation to DRS pertinent
to meeting monitoring requirements of Maximus regarding the client.
Joint Responsibilities:
1.Partners (DRS and______) will establish Ticket liaisons who will work together as
needed to ensure client's informed choice is respected. This will include informing
clients of the options spelled out under Roles and Responsibilities of this agreement,
including their option not to participate in the Ticket to Work program and still receive DRS
services, if eligible.
2. Partners will coordinate with the local community work incentives coordinator (CWIC) to
ensure on-going work incentives planning and assistance services are provided for clients
with information on how to maximize their earnings potential, utilize Social Security work
incentives, and fully understand the impact of employment on their federal and state benefits
and healthcare coverage.
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3. Partners will work together to determine the most efficient mechanism for tracking client
wages and benefits status data for the Ticket Programs and benefits status data for Ticket
Program participants over the long term. Outcome/Milestone payments available under the
Ticket to Work program and DRS Cost Reimbursement program depend on the accurate
reporting of this data.
III. Client Rights and Responsibilities
Services provided or paid for by DRS entitle the Ticket holder to all the protections available
through the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include Client Assistance Program Services. Client
disputes with ______ (Partner) provided services shall follow ______ administrative
processes as appropriate. In those cases where clients choose to delay activation of their Ticket or
where Tickets are in use with DRS with the client's knowledge of assignment of tickets, these
clients will be informed by DRS of the impact such a decision can have on available CDR
protections. Nothing in this agreement will have an impact on a client's rights and
responsibilities under the Ticket to Work Program.
IV. Payment
A. Payments from the Ticket as an EN
Under this Partnership Plus agreement, DRS will choose Cost Reimbursement payment
option. This is most appropriate for clients with a high likelihood of reaching Substantial
Gainful Activity. Costs are reimbursed after the DRS client has 9 months of SGA.
2. ______ will choose Outcome/Milestone payment option, and be eligible for Phase 2 and
Outcome payments once the Ticket is in use by ______ (after DRS closes).
B.
B e n c h m a r k E m pl o ym en t R e t e n t i on P a ym en t
When the client exits the DRS system with wages above Substantial Gainful Activity
(SGA is $1,000.00 for 2011) and the client attains a minimum of eight consecutive months
of Substantial Gainful Activity; ______ is eligible for a $1,000 benchmark job retention
payment. This Job retention payment requires that ______ provide monthly status
reports including wage data, pay stubs, or other information pertinent to SSA Trust Fund
reimbursement until such time as the beneficiary attains eight consecutive months of
Substantial Gainful Activity.
2. When the client exits the DRS system with wages under Substantial Gainful Activity
a. The DRS client attains 3 consecutive months at Substantial Gainful Activity; ______
is eligible to receive a $500 benchmark post employment/employment
enhancement payment. This Job retention payment requires that ______ provide
monthly status reports including wage data, pay stubs, or other information
pertinent to SSA Trust Fund reimbursement.
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b. The DRS client attains 8 consecutive months of Substantial Gainful Activity, ______
is eligible for an additional $1,500 benchmark job retention payment. This Job
retention payment requires that ______ provide monthly status reports including
wage data, pay stubs, or other information pertinent to SSA Trust Fund
reimbursement until such time as the beneficiary attains eight consecutive
months of Substantial Gainful Activity.
V. Evaluation
_______ and DRS will evaluate the effectiveness of the Partnership Plus service model
created by this agreement six months after assignment of the first ticket and annually
thereafter to determine what adjustments are necessary.
Specifically the parties will evaluate the following:
 The administrative burden associated with the Ticket Program;
 Patterns or trends of Ticket Assignment;
 The equity and appropriateness of the payment provisions;
 The earnings and hours worked of clients who choose to assign their Ticket;
 If client rights and choices are being respected under this agreement.
VI. Amendments and Exit Clause
The parties may agree to amend the agreement at any time. However, such amendment shall not
take effect until the agreement is in writing and signed by the parties.
Either party can terminate the agreement by providing the other party thirty (30) days written
notice of termination of the agreement.
A. General Statement

The agreement will not in any way impede any of the parties from entering into other
agreements regarding the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of
1999.

Nothing in the agreement shall in any way take precedent over the requirements
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
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Signed:_______________________
Date:________________
______
__________
President and CEO
Signed:_______________________
Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services
______
Date:________________