Ticket Tuesdays

1
Ticket Tuesdays

• Getting Started

2
Welcome
Thank you for joining us for the Ticket Training
Tuesday Series. We look forward to working with
you.
3
Agenda

• Purpose goal
• Whos who
• Program overview
• Ticket management
• Preparation

4
Purpose of the Ticket to Work Program
To expand the number of service providers
available to beneficiaries covered under Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to obtain the
assistance services needed for them to find,
enter, retain employment
5
Overall Goal

• Increase the number of beneficiaries entering the
  work force
• Reduce their dependency on cash benefits

6
Whos Who

• Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Cherry Engineering Support Services, Inc. (CESSI)
• MAXIMUS
• Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA)
• Protection Advocacy (PA)

7
SSA

• Designated by Congress to oversee the
  implementation of the Ticket to Work Program
• Writes and updates regulations
• Determines which beneficiaries receive Tickets
• Local field offices

8
CESSI

• Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
• Recruits Employment Networks
• Markets incentive programs to beneficiaries
• 1-877-743-8237

9
MAXIMUS

• Operations Support Manager Ticket Program Data
  Operations Center Manager
• Responsible for overseeing the administration/day-
  to-day functioning of the Ticket to Work program

10
MAXIMUS (cont.)

• Call Center
• 1-866-968-7842
• Provides information to beneficiaries and the
  general public
• EN Payments
• EN/VR Education Communications
• 1-866-949-ENVR (3687)
• Regional representatives
• Modules, guides, customized materials

11
Website
www.yourtickettowork.com
12
Website (cont.)
13
Training Resources
www.yourtickettowork.com/training
14
WIPA
www.yourtickettowork.com/wipas

• Former Benefits, Planning, Assistance (BPAO)
• Provide access to work incentives information and
  benefits planning assistance services for
  various programs
• Available to all SSA beneficiaries with
  disabilities

15
PA
www.yourtickettowork.com/res_advocacy

• Assist beneficiaries with disabilities in
  obtaining information advice about receiving EN
  VR services
• Provide advocacy or other related services that
  beneficiaries with disabilities may need to
  secure or regain gainful employment

16
Program Overview
17
Ticket Mailing

• Individualized Ticket to Work
• Letter explaining basic Program information
• Pamphlet entitled Ticket to Work and
  Self-Sufficiency Program

18
Sample Ticket
19
Ticket Management

• Ticket eligibility
• Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection
• Ticket assignment Individual Work Plan (IWP)
• Ticket unassignment
• Payment information

20
Ticket Eligibility

• Age 18-64
• In current pay status based on disability SSI
  and/or SSDI
• Call 1-866-949-ENVR to check if a Ticket is
  assignable

21
CDR

• Reviews conducted by SSA to determine if a
  beneficiary is still disabled under SSA
  guidelines
• If a Ticket is currently assigned, SSA will not
  begin a Medical CDR during the period that the
  Ticket is in use.
• Services may begin the Ticket may be assigned
  if a CDR has already begun

22
Ticket Assignment IWP
www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2

• To assign a Ticket, an IWP must be completed
• The IWP is a written agreement signed by both the
  beneficiary the EN that describes employment
  support services needed to reach an employment
  goal.
• Complete the IWP fax it to 703-683-3289,
  attention IWP Processing
• For more information, call MAXIMUS or attend the
  Ticket Training Tuesdays Getting Involved call

23
Ticket Unassignment

• Since the program is voluntary, the EN or
  beneficiary may unassign the Ticket at any time
• To unassign a Ticket, the beneficiary or EN must
  send an unassignment request letter to MAXIMUS

24
Ticket Assignment Unassignment - Recap

• EN should contact MAXIMUS to verify that the
  Ticket is available for assignment
• For Ticket assignment to take place, IWP must be
  completed, received by MAXIMUS, approved
• The Ticket-holder or EN may unassign the Ticket
  at any time
• Unassignment requests must be submitted in
  writing sent to MAXIMUS

25
Payment Information
www.yourtickettowork.com/payment_options

• 2009 EN Payments at a Glance
• Payment Request Form
• For more information, call MAXIMUS or attend the
  Ticket Training Tuesdays Getting Paid call

26
Payment Information (cont.)

• When to request payments
• When the Ticket-holder has attained the level of
  earnings necessary for the EN to qualify for
  payment
• What to submit
• Payment request form
• evidence of the Ticket-
• holders earnings

27
SSI Telephone Wage Reporting

• Beneficiaries can now report monthly wages with
  just a telephone call
• Beneficiaries must be on SSI or concurrent
  benefits (SSI and SSDI)
• Callers must also have some prior earnings on
  record
• Service not available for SSDI or for
  beneficiaries who are self-employed

28
SSI Telephone Wage Reporting

• How to use this service
• The wage earner calls 866-772-0953 and provides
  their name and SSN
• Then the caller keys in the total gross earnings
  for the previous month
• Key Points
• Calls must be placed by the 6th of the month
  following the earnings
• SSA recommends that clients consult with the
  local SSA field office before using the service

29
SSI Telephone Wage Reporting

• Benefits of using the service
• EN gets paid faster as SSA has verified earnings
  in a more timely manner
• The beneficiary is saved a trip to the field
  office each month to provide pay stubs

30
Promising Practices

• Forms Information
• EN Directory
• Contract Change Form
• Marketing

31
Forms Information

• The following should be readily accessible
• Intake form
• IWP
• Ticket to Work homepage www.yourtickettowork.com
  
• Ticket to Work related phone numbers

32
EN Directory
www.yourtickettowork.com/endir
33
EN Directory (cont.)
text field
34
EN Directory Suggestions

• Offer a toll-free number
• Provide a website address (if available)
• Check regularly keep updated

35
Contract Change Form
http//www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/EN_Co
ntract_Change_Form.doc

• Change requests must originate from a signatory
  authority, primary contact, or an authorized
  negotiator
• Complete the form send your request in to
  MAXIMUS either via fax or mail
• Request should be as specific as possible

36
Marketing

• Update your website so that it contains
  information about the Ticket to Work program
• Change your voicemail system so that
  Ticket-holders can quickly contact your
  organizations Ticket to Work representative
• Create a portfolio which contains information
  about the Ticket to Work program the free
  services that you offer to Ticket-holders
• For more information, call MAXIMUS or attend the
  Ticket Training Tuesdays Marketing to
  Ticket-holders call

37
Beneficiary Referral CD
www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/EN_Employee_
Background_Checks_Interim_Procedures_2-2-09.doc

• Allows ENs to market to Ticket-holders
• Refer to this link or contact MAXIMUS for more
  information

38
Contact Us

• MAXIMUS Ticket to Work
• Toll Free 1-866-949-ENVR (3687)
• TDD 1-866-833-2967
• www.yourtickettowork.com
• ENOperations_at_yourtickettowork.com

39
Questions?