If you are on disability benefits and are looking to get back to work, a disability employment service, like employU, can connect you to a variety of resources and services at no cost to you. With services for both youth and adult clients, the staff at employU is able to inform you of resources available and guide you along the pathway to a successful and fulfilling career. One such service employU offers is the Ticket to Work program, which is specifically geared towards recipients of Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
The Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program is a free and voluntary program available to recipients who wish to pursue employment opportunities. The program aims to help decrease reliance on SSI and SSDI and increase financial and independent well-being of program recipients. employU is partnered with the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) as an Employment Network Service Provider offering career development opportunities to beneficiaries.
The employU program includes:
- Benefits/Work Incentives Counseling
- Career Planning/Counseling Job Search and Placement
- Resume creation and Interviewing
- Ongoing Employment Support
- Assistance with Work Accommodations
Your “ticket” through this program allows you to seek employment while continuing to receive cash benefits for the first 12 months. There is no income limit in the first year under this program. Additionally, beneficiaries continue to receive Medicare for at least 93 months after the last Ticket to Work Program month has been used and SSI recipients continue to receive Medicaid after they stop receiving SSI cash benefits due to working full-time, up to certain income levels determined by the state. There is also no need to worry about reapplying for SSI or SSDI benefits if you find you are unable to sustain full-time work. All in all, it is a no-risk program.
Through employU, you can also consult with a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner (C-WIP), providing you an easy access point to acquire initial and ongoing benefits support you need to attain, maintain, and advance in employment. This includes:
- Analysis and verification of your benefits
- Benefits Summary and Analysis report (BS&A) customized to you
- A copy of the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from the Social Security Administration
- Continued short and long-term customer support
As an employU customer, you will have the opportunity to participate in a full-service career exploration program. Through Vocational and Psychological Evaluations, you can take a deep dive into your personal attributes and abilities to formulate career plans. You can also participate in workshops such as Pre-Employment Trainings which help prepare you for the current job market.
When you are ready, you will be matched up with an Employment Specialist who will work with you one-on-one to secure the job that is right for you. They will help you develop a resume, accompany you to interviews, and advocate on your behalf every step along the way. They will even stay with you for three to five months once you have been hired to make sure you fit right in and are comfortable in your new position. It is an experience completely tailored to you and at no out of pocket cost.
While having an ABLE United account gives you the ability to save beyond resource limits and pay for expenses as they come up, service providers like employU can set you on a path to a rewarding and sustainable career. Together, both of these resources can help you achieve your goals and obtain a more secure financial future.
For more on employU and the services they offer, visit https://employU.org