In this article, learn more about the employment team behind the Social Security Ticket to Work program.
What is an Employment Network (EN)?
ENs are a private or public group helping with career assistance and counseling for the intent of job placement. They can also help particpants of Social Security Ticket to Work understand how their existing benefits might be impacted by entering or returning to the workforce.
What are Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies?
There are a variety of services to help people with disabilities return to work offered by State VR agencies. They are designed to provide recipients with the training needed to enter the workforce for the first time, change career paths, or return to work. These agencies can help you prepare to work and find an Employment Network (EN) to help you keep your job and even make more money.
Some VR services include benefits counseling, career counseling, education, intensive training, job placement assistance, and rehabilitation. There are some states that have separate agencies to service blind and visually impaired individuals.
What is the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)?
The PABSS program conditionally helps people who have a disability-related employment issue. They must be receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). They advocate, provide legal support, and assist beneficiaries with information to resolve these issues. There is no cost for these services for anyone who receives Social Security disability benefits.
PABSS helps organizations navigate services that support efforts to work. They protect participant’s rights, including appealing decisions made by a VR or EN. They can also request reasonable accommodations in a workplace, college class, training course, or licensing program. They essentially handle anything that could be looked at as an employment barrier, including transportation.
PABSS Service Locations:
- Throughout the 50 states
- District of Columbia
- Five U.S. territories
- Navajo and Hopi reservations in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah
What are Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) Projects?
These are organizations within your community that are authorized by Social Security to give benefit-specific counseling to potential recipients. They are well informed about how work will impact eligibility for existing programs. Their aim is to show you how you can get ahead and ease your concerns about losing income from the loss of existing benefits.
To understand more about the Social Security Ticket to Work rules, and how your employment team is working for you, call the Help Line today at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).