The Ticket-to-Work is a program available to Social Security Administration beneficiaries with disabilities who are seeking employment. It’s an opportunity for those interested in returning to work to become self-sufficient. The goal of the Ticket- to-Work program is to provide quality access to gainful employment. Healthways Services is an approved Social Security Administration (SSA) Employment Network Provider for the Ticket-to-Work program. Our company specializes in helping beneficiaries with social security disability insurance (SSDI) and supplemental security income (SSI) find comparable jobs for either part-time or full-time positions.

To participate in the Ticket-to-Work Program, you must fulfill these basic requirements:

• Current beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) ages 18 to 64
• Current beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits age 18 to 64

Free Services

Services are FREE to all employers and qualified beneficiaries. Beneficiaries, to find out if you qualify for a free job placement, make a selection and fill out our required initial documents (i.e. intake form, consent for services, authorization for disclosure, acknowledgement and job search log). Our team can help walk you through the Ticket-to-Work process, provide resources and help you find the right job that suits your skills and qualifications.

Case Management: This is the process of analyzing, planning, supervising, and administering the sequential flow of rehabilitation services to the beneficiary for whom the employment network has responsibility coordinating the services of other professionals and resources as required.

Beneficiary Intake/Assessment: Assessment is the process of collecting in-depth information about a beneficiaries situation and functioning, to include information pertaining to vocational, medical, psychological, social, functional, and environmental factors, in order to identify the beneficiary’s needs and develop an individual work plan (IWP) that will address the necessary needs. The continual assessment and synthesizing of the information is the basis of a plan for vocational rehabilitation services.

Service Planning for Individuals with Disabilities: Service planning is the process of determining specific objectives, goals, and actions designed to meet the beneficiary’s needs as identified through assessment results. The plan that is developed will be measurable, action-oriented and time specific.

Rehabilitation Services Coordination: As an employment network provider we will use the beneficiary assessment information to coordinate required vocational services. The assessment information is used to determine the need for specific services and to make referrals to appropriate providers. Other coordination involves assessing the beneficiary’s progress toward rehabilitation goals, determining the financial resources/obligations related to the required services, and providing feedback to all appropriate parties.

Job Development/Placement: Job development refers to the process of consultation with employer’s and the development of job opportunities in a comprehensive, professional manner. The intent is to establish continuing and mutually beneficial relationships with potential employer’s through selective placement, job modification, and adjustment counseling. Job development activities should provide beneficiaries with an opportunity to reach their employment potential. Job placement refers to the professional activities involved in assisting persons with disabilities to seek, obtain, and maintain appropriate gainful employment. It may include career counseling and guidance, job coaching, job accommodation in vocational decision-making; training in job readiness skills; supportive counseling; supportive employment; identifying job leads; conducting labor market surveys; negotiating with employers, supervisors and co-workers; and providing post-employment and follow-up services.

Career Guidance and Counseling: This is a comprehensive, developmental service designed to assist individuals in making and implementing informed educational and occupational choices. The career guidance and counseling program develops an individual’s competencies in self-knowledge, educational and occupational exploration, and career planning.

Representative/Advocacy: The process of this services is to reduce attitudinal and environmental barriers in society and facilitating the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their communities. The process may include representation on the individual or system levels, career counseling and guidance, or supporting self-sufficiency efforts of individuals with disabilities.

Schedule A Letter: Upon meeting the qualifications and you have a significant disability that is documented, the licensed life care planner/employment network counselor could assist with a “Schedule A Letter,” which gives the federal government permission to hire people with significant disabilities for jobs within the federal government without requiring them to compete against non-disabled jobseekers for those positions. Federal agencies hire Schedule A employees on a probationary basis. This means that Schedule A employees work on trial basis and, at the end of the probationary period, if they have earned positive reviews for their job performance, they may be eligible for conversion to a career-conditional appointment within competitive service.

Work Incentive Planning and Assistant (WIPA) – We will use this service as a referral source for beneficiaries only because we are not approved to work as a work incentive counselor. Our Agency will refer beneficiaries to their local WIPA office to discuss and learn about SSA work incentives, reporting wages, overpayments and the appeal process. EN will encourage and follow-up with beneficiaries to make sure a WIPA appointment was made with a local WIPA office, the referral would be used to enable the beneficiary to make informed choices about work, available work incentives and to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. (Please see the Work Incentive Planning and Assistant Section)

Tax Incentives for Employer’s*

We service credible, stable employers nationwide. As an employer, your organization can receive up to a $2400 Tax Credit per candidate hired with a disability through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

You may also be eligible for a Small Business Tax Credit (IRS Code section 44, Disabled Access Code). Under the code, small businesses may take an annual tax credit for making their business accessible to persons with disabilities. A credit of 50% of expenditures over $250 is allowed for a maximum benefit of $5,000.

With the Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction (IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal), businesses may take an annual deduction for expenses incurred to remove physical, structural, and transportation barriers in the workplace for persons with disabilities. Businesses may take a tax deduction of up to $15,000 a year for these expenses.

*Please consult your CPA for up-to-date tax deductions and information.

Note: We are trained professionals who are here to help you.  As an employer you can use our job board as your Human Resource partner, which is a no cost service for job postings. This is an effort to assist individuals with disabilities obtain gainful employment and advanced job matching to help you quickly find the best candidate. Contact us now for a free initial consultation.

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