The Ticket to Work program connects people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). If your Ticket to Work is currently assigned to an
Employment Network (EN), DORS staff will work with you and your EN to assure that there is coordination of services leading to employment.
According to Social Security rules, if your Ticket is available for assignment, then completing and signing your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and receiving services from DORS means that your Ticket is “In Use” with DORS. DORS will work with you to develop a plan for services to help you to achieve and maintain employment based on your goals. These services can include training, career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, job placement, benefits counseling, and ongoing support services necessary to achieve a work goal.
After you achieve employment and your case with DORS is closed, your Ticket will be taken out of “In Use” status. Once employed, DORS will facilitate your connection with partner Employment Networks that can provide employment supports to help you continue working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the Ticket to Work program help me?
- You may be able to receive services and/or develop skills that will help you to find a job with health benefits and earnings greater than your SSDI or SSI check.
- SSA will not conduct a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), which determines if you will continue to receive benefits based on your disability, if your Ticket is “In-Use” with DORS or an EN and you meet SSA’s Timely Progress requirements. For more information see:
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10062.pdf
What is Timely Progress?
Timely Progress is a way for Social Security to track the progress you are making on your employment and educational goals. Typically, Social Security will send you annual paperwork to complete and return to them to demonstrate this progress.
What if Social Security determines I have not made Timely Progress?
If you are unable to demonstrate sufficient progress towards employment or educational goals, this does not mean that Social Security will find you no longer disabled. Instead, you simply will be subject to your Continuing Disability Review at its regularly scheduled time. Furthermore, DORS will NOT close your case simply because you do not meet Social Security’s Timely Progress criteria.
Do I need my paper Ticket?
While SSA does mail a paper Ticket to Work and a packet of information to each beneficiary, you do not need to have the paper Ticket to access DORS services. DORS will work with SSA to ensure your Ticket is available and assignable for use with our agency.
Do I have to use my Ticket?
No, SSA does not require that you use or assign your Ticket to an EN or DORS. However, if you sign a plan for services with DORS, SSA considers your Ticket to be “In Use” with DORS.
What if I’ve already assigned my Ticket to another Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency?
Your DORS counselor will work with you and your other provider to coordinate services. However, it is important to note that you cannot receive the same sets of services from more than one organization. If that is the case, your counselor may assist you in unassigning your Ticket from another agency. You may be able to reassign your Ticket to that agency again once you close your DORS case.
Are there any costs to participate in the Ticket to Work program?
No. The program is free and voluntary.
Does assigning my Ticket to DORS adversely affect my benefits?
No. In fact, it provides certain protections such as Continuing Disability Review exemption and can assist you in accessing important services such as benefits counseling.
More information about benefits planning.
Contact Information
DORS Ticket Coordinator:
Ticket.DORS@maryland.gov 410-554-9460
