For youth with disabilities, ages 18-25, the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program is designed to support effective transitions into employment. Young people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Serurity enroll in TTW and get tickets they can use to obtain services and job supports.

If you work with youth, you should know about the program—it is actively seeking grant applications from a range of organizations working with these young people. To help readers get to know TTW, we asked Melody Goodspeed, the program’s Youth Transition Specialist, to give us the lowdown.

“Right now, over 21,000 beneficiaries under the age of 25 are using their tickets to achieve their work goals,” she says. “This is approximately 4.6 percent of the young people who are eligible. As more people become familiar with this program, it is expected to serve even more youth.”

Tell us about the Ticket to Work program and its Youth Transition component.
Since 2003, Ticket to Work program has worked to increase access to job preparation and placement services for Social Security disability beneficiaries. It is designed to provide beneficiaries a safety net for exploring work opportunities while retaining benefits.

Under the Ticket to Work program, Social Security disability beneficiaries receive a “ticket” that they can assign to an “Employment Network” (EN) to receive job preparation and placement services. An EN is any organization under contract with Social Security to accept tickets, including public and private organizations, vocational rehabilitation service providers, schools, universities, employers, and other organizations. Basically, the Ticket to Work program allows beneficiaries to pick the EN that they want to work with, receive services, and start working toward their employment goals.

The program is completely voluntary and free for the beneficiary. In addition to receiving employment services and supports, the individual is also protected against continuing disability reviews while using their ticket. If the individual earns enough money to go off cash benefits, they may still be eligible for health care benefits. There is also an easy way to get back on cash benefits if necessary.

How can TTW funding help youth-serving organizations?
The Ticket to Work program is extremely supportive of all types of organizations. Since this is an outcome-based program, it will not affect current funding streams.

The flexibility of the program allows organizations to build their own models for success. This is especially useful for non-profits or universities that rely on grants. The non-restrictive benefit can be used as the organization sees fit.

Who is eligible for these funds?
Any organization that provides employment transition services to individuals on SSI or SSDI is eligible. That includes: non-profits, both private and public school systems, Independent Living Centers, and consultants. SSA is looking to expand the program to both traditional and non-traditional organizations. Help is available for organizations exploring this opportunity. The Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) offers guidance and assistance throughout the application process to help with the application, share successful models, and answer questions. The support doesn’t stop with contract award. The Operations Support Manager offers training and technical assistance to help ENs get started and become successful.

What are some examples of creative or innovative use of these funds?
Again, since it is nonrestrictive, the benefit can be used as the organization sees fit. Examples include: building scholarship funds, expanding services, boosting community outreach to local employers or purchasing equipment. The possibilities are endless.

It’s great when you have traditional and nontraditional providers working together. Were trying to build and get different types of providers to serve the varied needs of people.

Are there upcoming policy or regulation changes to the program that child- and youth-serving organizations should know about?
Yes, new regulations are planned for release in the spring of 2008. Some of the changes that will come with these new regulations include:

• Employment Networks will get paid when the individual works part-time, increasing the opportunities for success. The part-time work will allow for a smooth transition for students into the workplace or allow them to attend college while gaining work experience.
  
• Ticket to Work payment plans recognize the value of other work incentives and allow an Employment Network to get paid while the individual is still receiving cash benefits.

For more information about Ticket to Work or becoming an Employment Network, contact: 1-877-743-8237 (v/TTY) or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work.

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Melody Goodspeed is the with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can reach her at mgoodspeed@cessi.net.