Disabled Americans and the Ticket to Work Program

The goal of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability benefits program isn’t just support Americans who can’t work, but to also to help disabled people return to work. That’s why the SSA created the Ticket to Work program 15 years ago. Unfortunately, records indicate the program may be not be living up to its goals.

Ticket to Work was created in 1999 as a way to get disabled workers the training, education, and resources they need to reenter the workforce. However, the Washington Examiner states that data from SSA shows a mere 1 percent of disabled citizens eligible to participate in Ticket to Work are taking advantage of the program.

This has led to the number of individuals receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to swell. Today, the number of Americans receiving SSD benefits exceeds the population of Sweden.

The reason for the failure of the Ticket to Work program seems to be lack of understanding about the program and its benefits. Beneficiaries seem to fear losing an income resource and health insurance coverage if they enter the program. But that’s not often the case.

Ticket to Work allows disabled Americans to reenter the workforce while continuing to receive benefits and insurance coverage for a period of time.

If you have any questions about SSD or the Ticket to Work program, speak with a Social Security Disability Attorney today. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our attorneys are standing by to answer your questions about benefits. Call us at (800) 477-7315 today.