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Resources

 

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For People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

For Employers

For Service Providers

If you are interested in learning more about the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Ticket to Work Program, check out the following resources!

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Employment Network Handbook for Service Providers: Provides an overview of the new Ticket regulations, detailed information on how to become an EN, examples of EN models, and options for partnering with State VR agencies under the new Partnership Plus service delivery option. It includes resources of interest to service providers and beneficiaries with disabilities.

Partnership Plus Toolkit: This Toolkit is designed to provide information and tools that will help State VR agencies successfully implement the Ticket program and take advantage of the new options available to them. For example, the Toolkit is designed to assist State VR agencies in: assessing and choosing among agency options for serving beneficiaries with disabilities; identifying potential partners and developing partnerships with ENs; and maximizing program income received from SSA.

Employment Network (EN) Revenue Estimator: This tool allows you to estimate up to three years of revenue from the Ticket Program.

Beneficiary and Employment Network State Maps: Are you interested in learning where ENs are located in your state? Do you want to find where we are targeting to establish new ENs? By reviewing beneficiary to EN Ratio maps and supporting charts, organizations can determine localities of focus to help beneficiaries who seek return-to-work opportunities. Visit the Ticket Express Regional Information page, select your region and then your state!

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General Information Regarding the Ticket Program

Basics Fact Sheet  |  Basics Fact Sheet, Large Print 
Provides an overview of the Ticket to Work program, describes which entities are eligible to become Employment Networks (ENs), and explains the Ticket process. Basics Fact Sheet en Español.

Overview Fact Sheet  
Explains the changes made to the Ticket program by the revised regulations issued in 2008, including improvements to the EN payment systems to provide payments earlier in the employment process, more often, and at higher rates, and the new Partnership Plus service delivery option which allows both a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency and an EN to receive payment for the same Ticket Holder under certain conditions.

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Resources for Current and Prospective Employment Networks

EN Resources Fact Sheet  |  EN Resources Fact Sheet, Large Print
Lists a variety of resources for organizations interested in becoming ENs and for building a successful EN
EN Resources Fact Sheet en Español  |  Large Print Version en Español

Individualized Work Plan (IWP) Template: This template includes all of the elements that must be included in an IWP to meet the requirements of the Ticket to Work Program. Visit the MAXIMUS web site at www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2.

18-Month Prior Earnings Tool: This tool can be used as you work with a beneficiary to assess his/her prior work history during the 18 months just prior to Ticket assignment. Visit the MAXIMUS web site at www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2.

Centers for Independent Living Fact Sheet  |  Centers for Independent Living Fact Sheet, Large Print
Provides information on becoming an EN specifically targeted for Centers for Independent Living.

Employment Network Handbook for Service Providers: Provides an overview of the new Ticket regulations, detailed information on how to become an EN, examples of EN models, and options for partnering with State VR agencies under the new Partnership Plus service delivery option. It includes resources of interest to service providers and beneficiaries with disabilities.

If you could not find the answer to any of your questions by using these resources, try our Frequently Asked Questions for Employment Networks page.

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Resources for People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Working for You, Building Success Brochure: Provides basic background information on the Ticket program and Social Security Work Incentives for beneficiaries (Brochure inserts).

Beneficiary Fact Sheet  |  Beneficiary Fact Sheet, Large Print
Provides basic information on the Ticket program for beneficiaries and lists resources available to assist beneficiaries in returning to work.

Dispelling the Myths about Disability Benefits and Work – Debunks the three biggest myths about what will happen to your disability and other benefits when you go to work.

WISE: Work Incentive Seminar Event Flyer: Provides information on how to register for a Work Incentive Seminar, or WISE event. WISE events provide beneficiaries with the opportunity to learn about going to work and SSA Work Incentives, and offer beneficiaries the opportunity to connect with local ENs.

Social Security Administration Redbook: Contains detailed information regarding all employment-related SSA program rules, or Work Incentives, designed to assist beneficiaries in going to work.

SSA Working While Disabled: How We Can Help Brochure: Provides information on Social Security Work Incentives and additional information and assistance available to beneficiaries who want to go to work.

Social Security: Your Ticket to Work Brochure: Contains extensive information on the Ticket program and answers questions many beneficiaries have regarding participating in the program.

If you could not find the answer to any of your questions by using these resources, try our Frequently Asked Questions for Beneficiaries page.

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Resources for Employers

Employers Fact Sheet  |  Large Print Version
Information on the benefits to employers of becoming an EN.

Employment Network Handbook for Employers: Provides detailed information on how employers can become ENs and highlights resources of particular interest to employers (e.g., facts about individuals with disabilities and employment, resources on work place accommodations, and information on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

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Resources for Vocational Rehabilitation

Partnership Plus Fact Sheet  |  Large Print Version
Contains information on the Partnership Plus service delivery model created by the 2008 revised Ticket regulations, which allows both an EN and a State VR Agency to receive payment for the same Ticket Holder under certain conditions.

Partnership Plus Brochure: Provides information on the Partnership Plus service delivery model, highlighting successful partnership models in several states.

Partnership Plus Toolkit: This Toolkit is designed to provide information and tools that will help State VR agencies successfully implement the Ticket program and take advantage of the new options available to them. For example, the Toolkit is designed to assist State VR agencies in: assessing and choosing among agency options for serving beneficiaries with disabilities; identifying potential partners and developing partnerships with ENs; and maximizing program income received from SSA.

If you could not find the answer to any of your questions by using these resources, try our Frequently Asked Questions for Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies page.

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Featured Recorded Teleconferences

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Webinars and Podcasts

SSA and CESSI are partnered with Cornell University to conduct highly successful webinars which are now accessible in an archived format. You may download the webinar, read the transcripts, or download the presentations for the following archived webinars at www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/m-cessi-webinars.cfm.

  • Ticket to Work Webinar: Increasing Employment Network Participation (March 10, 2010). This webinar targeted increasing participation by Employment Networks (ENs). The webinar will provide a general overview and update on the Ticket program, the operations and technical supports available to ENs, & the Federal government hiring initiative.
  • Ticket to Work Webinar: Increasing Employment Network Participation (November 6, 2009). This webinar targeted increasing participation by Employment Networks (ENs). The webinar will include a general overview and update on the Ticket program, the operations and technical supports available to ENs, the Federal government hiring initiative, and the basics of foundation grants as seed funding for non-profit ENs.
  • Ticket to Work Webinar for Universities/Higher Education Entities, Reaching Higher, Strengthening Abilities (October 29, 2009). This webinar targeted Universities and/or Higher Education entities interested in learning more about the Ticket to Work program and how to become an Employment Network (EN). The topics included an overview of the Ticket program and how it can generate revenue for the school, the value of the Ticket program for its students, models of successful higher education institutions as ENs, the GRADS Initiative of the Ticket program and what it has learned concerning students who receive SSI or SSDI, and the technical support available to schools exploring the Ticket to Work program.
  • Ticket 201 for One Stops (September 28, 2009). This webinar targeted One Stop staff, Workforce Investment Board members, and One Stop Operators interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the Employment Network (EN) operations as it pertains to One Stops who are interested in becoming an EN, or are currently an EN. Topics included: how to assess and assign a Ticket, explanation of the Ticket to Work look back policy, how to work effectively with VR under Ticket to Work, SSI telephone wage reporting, and One Stop EN best practices.
  • Ticket to Work EN Application Walkthrough (June 25, 2009). This webinar provided a detailed walk-through of the EN RFP and an explanation of the EN application process.
  • Turning Diversity Into Dollars: The Business Case for Hiring An Untapped Pool of Talented Employees (July 30, 2009). This webinar provided employers information on how their company can reach an untapped pool of millions of talented employees nationwide through the Ticket program, how to take advantage of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit when hiring Social Security beneficiaries, and information on the new Employment Network Handbook for Employers.
  •  Service Providers as Employment Networks (July 10, 2009): This webinar provided Service Providers (for profit and non-profit organizations) an overview of the New Ticket to Work Program, the process for applying to become an Employment Network (EN), the support and training opportunities available to all ENs, and information on the new Service Provider as an EN Handbook.
  • Ticket Tools to Support You as an Employment Network (February 27, 2009). SSA, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, and CESSI hosted a Ticket to Work Webinar for Workforce Development entities that are considering the option of becoming an Employment Network or are currently an approved EN. The webinar provided an overview of the new auto pay feature, how to access the beneficiary referral CD, and available EN resources.
  • Ticket to Work and Chronic Homelessness: Let’s Dig Deeper (March 26, 2009). This webinar was for entities providing transition to work services to the chronic homelessness population.
  • Ticket to Work 201 (April 29, 2009). This session delves into more complex policy issues; highlights work that SSA and CESSI are doing with specific subpopulations of beneficiaries; addresses issues of interest to certain types of Employment Networks (e.g., One-Stop Centers, Mental Health providers, Youth Transition Organizations); and talks about the role of Work Incentive Seminars (WISE Events) in reaching beneficiaries with disabilities. Participants will also learn how the Ticket program and ENs, including State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, can be critical players in the SSA Hiring Initiative that is currently underway.

Podcast

If you prefer listening to a 25-minute podcast, check out the Ticket to Work episode of “Disability Law Lowdown” at http://dll.ada-podcast.com.

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Resources When Thinking About Becoming an Employment Network

CESSI: If you would like assistance in completing the EN RFP, CESSI has several resources. Account Managers are available to provide consultation and individualized technical assistance as you complete the EN RFP. There are specialists for One-Stops, Mental Health, Higher Education, Employers, Partnership Plus and Service Providers. Discover your appropriate contact at: www.cessi.net/ttw/contactus.html.

CESSI also offers bi-weekly EN Application Walk-Through Teleconferences every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern. These free teleconferences will guide you through the entire application, section by section, page by page. Call 877-743-8237 (voice or TTY) or e-mail the application to application@cessi.net.

SSA’s Employment Network Contract Team (ENCT): The ENCT is also available to answer questions about the EN RFP, walk you through the EN contract award process, and help you complete your application. Contact SSA ENCT at 866-584-5180 (voice) or 866-584-5181 (TTY), or e-mail encontracts@ssa.gov.

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Foundation Grantseeking Resources

CESSI has developed a proposal writing website to help ENs interested in seeking foundation or corporate funding. The site includes:

  • A boilerplate Letter of Intent (LOI). This is a short letter about your project that allows the foundation to quickly evaluate the match of your proposed project to its funding priorities.
  • A boilerplate proposal containing text you can use as an introduction and background information about the Ticket Program and guidance on how to write a proposal that corresponds to the expectations of most foundations.
  • Additional material to assist in researching and writing foundation/corporate grant applications.

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Resources For After You Become an EN

MAXIMUS offers a wide array of training and support services to help you get started, develop and implement your business model, and operate your Ticket to Work Program. Contact MAXIMUS at 866-968-7842.

  • Ticket Training Tuesdays are interactive training modules designed to assist ENs and State VR agencies with the fundamentals of working within the Ticket to Work Program. These calls offer a great opportunity to train new and existing staff and to network with fellow ENs to share tips and promising practices. These toll-free conference calls occur every Tuesday at 1:00 pm Eastern Time. They last 60 to 90 minutes and are open to anyone. There is no need to pre-register. The call number and participate code are the same for each call. Simply dial 800-480-6924. The participant code is “Ticket to Work.”
National Employment Network Association

National Employment Network Association: The National Employment Network Association (NENA) was created by successful Employment Networks (ENs) to help you succeed in the Ticket to Work Program, and to give ENs a united voice with the Social Security Administration. ENs need the support of other ENs who speak their language and understand their needs. NENA can help you master new knowledge and procedures. Our interactive online community lets you speak to other ENs to voice your concerns and seek answers to pressing issues. NENA is here to help you! For more information, go to www.nenaticket.com.

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For More Information on the Ticket to Work Program

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