Celebrating 25 Years of the Ticket to Work
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 24, 2025
This year, we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Ticket to Work (Ticket) program. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act helps people with disabilities go to work and reduce or eliminate their need for benefits.
The Ticket program:
- Is free and voluntary.
- Offers career development for people ages 18-64 who receive payments from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and want to work.
- Connects them with free employment services from approved in-person or virtual service providers.
- Helps them decide if work, including self-employment, is right for them.
The Ticket program has helped many people reach their employment goals. Here are 2 success stories.
Adrienne: Successful Career Launch with Ticket to Work
Adrienne has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When she was preparing to graduate from high school, her parents wanted to ensure she had opportunities in adulthood, including access to employment. Thanks to a collaborative effort between the Ticket program and local agencies, she works full time as a departmental aide for the city of Philadelphia. She proudly traded her monthly SSI payments for a rewarding job she loves. Read Adrienne’s story.
Kushal: Financial Independence with Ticket to Work
Kushal has muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes muscle weakness that has severely reduced his mobility. The Ticket program allowed him to reach his educational, employment, and financial goals. Despite physical limitations, he earned a master’s degree in social work and is a full-time benefits counselor. As his career progressed and his income increased, he had to overcome many challenges. With help from Ticket program service providers, he has been able to keep his critical health care benefits. Read Kushal’s story.
You can find more Success Stories on our Ticket Program website.
Start Your Journey with Ticket to Work
Would you like to follow Adrienne and Kushal’s lead? To get started with the Ticket program, you can use the Find Help Tool on our website, choosework.ssa.gov, or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ticket service providers, such as an Employment Network (EN) or a state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agency, can help you understand our work incentives and navigate your journey to work and financial independence.
To stay up to date on the Ticket program and our many resources:
- Subscribe to the Choose Work! blog.
- Register for a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinar.
- Follow us on Facebook and X.
- Text the word “TICKET” to 1-571-489-5292 to receive information via text messages. Standard messaging rates may apply. You can opt out at any time.
Please join us as we celebrate 25 years of the Ticket to Work program and share our success stories with family, friends, and others with disabilities who want to work.
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Tags: Social Security benefits, Ticket to work
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PRIMBONTOTO
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Sara
Oh really. I was on it and now they have garnished my SS check because they say it was an “overpayment”. I sent in everything they asked for. I sent in paystubs, all correspondence followed all rules. When i was on this program. 60 minutes did a show on this very situation. I did appeal after appeal
Now, instead of enjoying my retirement, i am working an extra job.Iam a teacher and can I’ll afford this now. Thanks “Ticket to Work” Beware
Barbara C.
I am too unsure of my ability to work even part-time and I’ve already been caught in their overpayment scheme in 2024 for 2022 overpayment I didn’t catch even while spending down. They took about $90 per month in SSI away even after I requested they decrease the amount withheld so that I could afford to eat and pay my bills. They didn’t care. Then after paying them all of that money last year my end of year 1099 from SSA did not show the almost $1000 repaid. That’s right they show zero repayment on their 1099 even though they took it every month since March or April of 2024 I think and they are still deducting this repayment of that $1037 overpayment. My records reflect it was supposed to be paid in full as of May 2025 this year but they are still taking it and now threatening my dual status on Amerivantage Dual HMO aka Medicare part C & D + Medicaide. I am so confused and frustrated since President Trump let Elon Musk loose on all of our agencies and humanitarian benefits, our safety nets.
I’m glad I decided I was unable to work consistently even part-time and stay on track financially due to my combined disabilities so decided against applying for a Ticket to ‘attempt’ Work without making a angled financial mess of things. Now their after all of it. God help me and all other disabled and elderly Americans.
Samantha b.
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john
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John S.
Yeah, check this out: https://ausnews.de/mindestlohn-steigt-in-zwei-stufenes-2026-2027/
Mirthuni A.
Congratulations on 25 years of the Ticket to Work program! Truly inspiring to see the impact it’s had on so many lives.
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Robert M.
I am desperately trying to return to full time employment with health insurance. I’ve been told many times by the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that “we can’t support SGA employment as you’ll lose your Social Security Benefits” I explain the expedited reinstated of benefits if I lose my job before FRA, am told “don’t believe it, in reality 99% have to reapply”. I didn’t know what to do, though not a certified Benefits Planner I easily could be as I have to correct the DVR Benefits Planners quite often! I have a professional background but keep hitting dead ends. Frustrating!
Aji P.
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