Working Together

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Working Together.Thats the TicketEmployment
Network Opportunity Conference
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The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

• An Overview Presentation for
  Potential Employment Networks

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What is the Purpose of the Ticket Program?

• Increase beneficiary choice in obtaining
  rehabilitation and employment services.
• Remove barriers that require people with
  disabilities to choose between health care
  coverage and work.
• Assure that more beneficiaries with disabilities
  have the opportunity to participate in the
  workforce and lessen their dependence on public
  benefits.

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What does the Ticket Program do?

• Expands the universe of entities available to
  provide employment, rehabilitation or other
  support services.
• Extends Medicare coverage.
• Provides additional work incentives such as
  Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection
  and Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR).
• Establishes a new service structure called
  Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach
  (BPAO) establishes the Employment Support
  Representative Positions and, provides grants
  for Protection and Advocacy systems.

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Expanding the Universe of Providers

• The Ticket program expands the universe of
  entities, called Employment Networks, available
  to provide employment, rehabilitation or other
  support services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.
• SSA and MAXIMUS are recruiting employment
  networks to participate in the Ticket program.

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Extends Medicare Coverage

• Extends medical coverage through Medicare for an
  additional 4 1/2 years beyond the current 4 years.

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Provides Additional Work Incentives

• Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
• - While the individual is using the Ticket no
  medical CDR will be initiated.
• Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)
• -Provides cash payments and health insurance
  coverage for up to six consecutive months while
  SSA reviews permanent benefit status. The
  individual is not required to file a new claim.
• Continued

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Provides Additional Work Incentives

• Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO)
• - SSA awarded over 117 cooperative agreements to
  assist community-based organizations.
• - These organizations provide disability
  beneficiaries with access to benefits planning
  and assistance services.
• -These organizations work in cooperation with
  Federal, State and private agencies that serve
  beneficiaries.
• Continued

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Provides Additional Work Incentives

• Employment Support Representative (ESR)
• - ESRs are SSA trained specialists who serve as
  technical resources for other SSA employees and
  conduct training and outreach to external
  organizations.
• Protection and Advocacy (PA)
• -PA systems will assist individuals with
  disabilities who receive SSDI/SSI in obtaining
  information and advice about vocational
  rehabilitation and employment services.

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What Else has Changed?

• Referrals - This legislation repeals SSAs
  authority to refer individuals with disabilities
  to State VR agencies for rehabilitation services
  in States where the Ticket program has been
  implemented.
• Refusals - As of January 1, 2001, the law
  requires SSA to end benefit suspensions due to
  refusal to participate in an approved VR program.

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What is the Ticket?

• The Ticket is a symbolic document that provides
  evidence of SSAs agreement to pay employment
  networks under the rules of this program.

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When will the Tickets be Issued?

• The Ticket program will be phased-in over a
  three-year period.
• Beginning in 2001, SSA plans to begin issuing
  Tickets to eligible beneficiaries in Ticket
  States.
• Each year SSA will select additional Ticket
  States.
• By January 2004 Tickets will be issued to all
  eligible beneficiaries in all States.
• Tickets will continue to be issued to newly
  eligible disability beneficiaries.

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The First Ticket States
Arizona New York
Colorado Oklahoma
Delaware Oregon
Florida South Carolina
Illinois Vermont
Iowa Wisconsin
Massachusetts
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Options Available to a Beneficiary who
Receives a Ticket?

• A beneficiary receiving a Ticket
• Can choose whether or not to use the Ticket.
• Can choose any EN or State Vocational
  Rehabilitation Agency (VRA).
• Can use the Ticket to obtain services needed from
  an employment network or VRA.
• Can retrieve the Ticket from the EN or the VRA
  and reassign it to another EN or VRA.

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Which Service Providers are Eligible to Receive
Payment?

• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
• Alternate Participants
• Employment Networks

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What Payment Options are available to State VR
Agencies?

• The legislation provides State VR agencies with
  two payment options
• Traditional Reimbursement -
• Since 1981 State VR agencies have been
  reimbursed for the services they provided to
  beneficiaries, when those services resulted in 9
  months of SGA within a 12-month period. This
  payment option remains available.
• EN Payment System of Record -
• State VR agencies select their EN payment option
  at the time they decide to participate in the
  Ticket program.

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What Payment Options are Available for an
Alternate Participant (AP)?

• The AP process will end in each State as the
  Ticket program is phased-in.
• If an AP chooses to become an EN, services to
  current clients will continue to be covered under
  the current cost reimbursement system.
• New beneficiaries will only be served based on
  the Ticket program.
• If an AP chooses not to become an EN, that AP can
  not sign on new individuals after the Ticket
  program is implemented in the State.
• Payments to an AP will not be made for any
  services provided after December 31, 2003.

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What are the Employment Network (EN) Payment
Options?

• Outcome Payments
• Outcome-milestone Payments

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What are EN Outcome Payments?

• Outcome payments are made to an EN for each month
  the beneficiary reaches zero cash benefits due to
  work/earnings.
• Payments can be made for up to 60 months and the
  months do not have to be consecutive.
• Payments will be based on a percentage of the
  average monthly SSDI or SSI benefit amount for
  the preceding calendar year. The maximum
  currently allowed by law is 40 .

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Examples of Outcome Payments

• The money amounts shown below are hypothetical
  and should not be quoted as proposed.
• If the average national monthly SSDI benefit were
  758.67, and monthly benefits did not increase
• - Outcome payment/month 303.47 (758.67 x
  40)
• - Total over 12 months 3,640.40
• - Total over 60 months 18,202.00
• If the average national monthly SSI benefit were
  459.00, and monthly benefits did not increase
• - Outcome payment/month 183.60
• - Total over 12 months 2, 203.20
• - Total over 60 months 11,016.00
• If an individual is receiving concurrent SSDI/SSI
  benefits, outcome payments are based on the SSDI
  amount.

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What are Outcome/Milestone Payments?

• Outcome-Milestone payments are made to an EN when
  a
• beneficiary achieves established work and
  earnings goals.
• Milestone payments - Zero cash benefits do not
  have to be achieved for a Milestone to be paid.
• Outcome payments - The EN will receive reduced
  Outcome payments if a milestone payment has been
  made.
• -The maximum payable under the Outcome-Milestone
  payment system is approximately 85 of the amount
  payable under the Outcome payment system. Using
  18,202.00, as the maximum payable under the
  Outcome system, 15,471.70 would be the maximum
  payable under the Outcome-Milestone system.
• The money amounts shown above are hypothetical
  and should not be quoted as actual amounts. The
  number and amount of Milestone payments and
  percentage of Outcome payment reduction will be
  finalized with the publication of the
  regulations.

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For Additional Information Visit our Web Site
atwww.ssa.gov/work
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Working Together.Thats the TicketEmployment
Network Opportunity Conference
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Making the DecisionBe an Employment Network,a
Service Provider Partner or Both
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Who Can be an EN?

• In General Any public or private agency,
  organization, business or entity that SSA
  determines qualified to deliver, arrange or
  coordinate employment-related services or jobs
  for Ticket-holders

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Examples of Potential ENs

• Employers
• Employment agencies
• WIA One-Stop centers
• Schools, educational institutions
• Mentoring services, programs
• Former Alternate Participants
• Transportation providers
• Job Accommodation service providers
• Chambers of Commerce
• State VR Agencies

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Why Get Involved?

• The EN Basics.
• Provides opportunities to expand existing lines
  of business (or create new ones), client
  base, community knowledge and relationships
• Fills current service gaps for consumers - many
  of whom will be Ticket-holders
• Offers flexible design and participation options
• Increases long term revenue base
• No cost to apply to become an EN
• Voluntary ENs choose whom to serve, based on
  their capacity, expertise and services offered

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Why Get Involved...from a beneficiarys
perspective

• Ticket-holders want options, flexibility
• Market-Driven Based on the services, supports
  and jobs offered, consumers select with whom they
  want to assign their Ticket
• Maximizes other wrap-around supports available
  Employment Support Representatives, PASS
  Specialists, BPAOs, MAXIMUS, and other existing
  work incentive initiatives

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Why Get Involved?

• At a Higher Level . . .
• Supports a common vision for employment of
  qualified individuals with disabilities
• Opportunity to provide services and jobs for
  unserved or underserved populations
• Promotes collaborative relationships among a
  variety of new partners government, service
  providers, businesses and learning institutions

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Strategies to Consider
One Become an Employment Network
Two Participate as a partner in other Employment Networks
Three Do Both Be an Employment Network and a Partner
Four Refer Ticket Holders to other entities
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Strategy One Be an EN

• Voluntary You design and control your own
  Employment Network (in compliance with
  SSA-RFP requirements)
• You can provide or arrange for everything, or you
  can chose to partner, subcontract for
  additional services (including VR)
• As the primary EN, you are eligible for the full
  outcome and outcome/milestone payments
• You are the primary EN information, service and
  access source for your Ticket-holders
• Streamlines service delivery for consumers
• High visibility
• You assume the risk, accountabilityreceive the
  benefits

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Strategy Two Service Provider Partnerships

• Voluntary You decide with whom you want to
  partner
• Join forces with one or many ENs
• Can share costs with other organizations,
  maximizing expertise, funds and resources
• Share administrative responsibilities
• Expand employer, provider and service networks
• Continue to receive referrals from VR and other
  sources
• Assume less risk, responsibilities
• Fewer benefits (potential for less revenue, fewer
  referrals, less visibility and control)

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Strategy Three Do Bothbe an EN and a Partner

• Offers more choices for Ticket-holders
• Maximizes organizational potential broadens
  opportunities for new lines of business, adds
  revenue, increases internal capacity
• Provides highest level of visibility, access to
  consumers
• Result Ticket-holders get the services and jobs
  they need, organizations build capacity and
  client base, communities and employers
  benefit by having an expanded array of
  service supports available to ensure job
  retention

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Strategy Four Refer Ticket-holders to others

• Because you are not an EN or a formal partner
  with an EN, you can not accept a Ticket
• Impact
• As a Provider Assume no Ticket Program
  responsibilities, risk losing current clients
  wanting to use their Ticket, reap no Program
  benefits
• As a Ticket-holder Limits choices, access to new
  opportunities, may create gaps in services

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Next Steps to Consider

• Do you have potential Ticket-holders in your
  existing caseload and current referral pipeline?
• Do you provide (or want to expand to provide or
  arrange for) the types of services or jobs
  Ticket-holders will desire?
• Are you already reaching out to providers and
  employers to offer EN-types of services?
• If you dont want to be or cant be an EN on your
  own, are you willing to partner?
• If you answered YES to any of these 4
  questions

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Next Steps, contd.

• Assess your internal needs and weigh the options
  presented today
• Reach out to your community partners, including
  employers
• Decide which strategy works best for you
• Review the RFP ?

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About the EN RFP and the Process to Apply

• Go to www.fedbizops.gov website
• Access the July 20th version (SSA RFP-01-0010A)
  register for future Amendments
• Review the full document sign and send only the
  required pages (use EN Offeror Checklist)
• Key pages Standard Form 1449 (this is your
  proposal as well a your contract document)
  Information Sheet Payment Option Reps and
  Certs insurance 13 signature pages
• Must Haves Tax ID number DUNS number
• Must Do Send original to SSA and a copy to
• MAXIMUS

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About the EN RFP and Process to Apply, contd

• Reminder Award process is non-competitive,
  open-ended
• Unlimited number of ENs are desired
• Call MAXIMUS for assistance
• 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842) ask to
  speak with an EN Marketing Coordinator

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Making the Decision
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Working Together.Thats the TicketEmployment
Network Opportunity Conference
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What Happens Next

• The Ticket to Work Program
• What it Means to Your Business as an Employment
  Network

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Business as Usual
and Whats New
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Business As Usual
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Business as Usual

• Collaborative Relationship with Clients
• Partner with Other Resources
• Maintain Records and Documentation
• Use Organizational Know How
• Achieve the Employment Outcome

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Whats New
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A New Partner in the Private SectorMAXIMUS is
Your Partner

• From Application to Payments
• Active Working Relationship
• On-Going Support
• Training

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New Business

• Market to Beneficiaries MAXIMUS
• A New Source of Funding
• New Clients

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New Relationships

• Contractual - SSA
• Support Partner - MAXIMUS
• Work Partners - ENs VR

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New Processes
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RFP Section 2 Verify the Ticket Status

• Beneficiary Comes to You to Assign the Ticket
• Call MAXIMUS to Verify Status
• If the Ticket is Not Assigned, Begin Working with
  the Individual

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Assigning the Ticket

• Discuss Services the Individual Needs and the
  Services that You Can Provide or Access
• Develop an Employment Goal
• Develop an IWP
• Client Signs the IWP
• Send to MAXIMUS

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RFP Section 3-The Individual Work Plan

• Agreement Between the Individual an the EN
• Describes the Employment Goal
• Describes Services to be Provided
• Verifies No Cost to the Individual
• Describes How it May be Amended
• Describes How Does the Program Works

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The Individual Work Plancontd

• Informs of Right to Protection Advocacy
  Services
• Describes Confidentiality
• Describes How the Individual Can End the
  Relationship
• Provides the IWP in Accessible Format
• Send a Copy of the IWP and the Completed
  Information Sheet to MAXIMUS

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RFP Section 4-Agreement with VR

• EN Establishes an Agreement between EN and VR
  before Referring Beneficiaries to VR
• Provide a Copy to MAXIMUS

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RFP Section 5- Responsibilities to the Ticket
Holder

• Protect Information about Them
• They Have Rights within the Program
• They Have Access to Protection Advocacy

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Section 6 Privacy and Security

• Ensure Client Confidentiality
• Dispose of Information Securely
• Ensure That Staff Safeguard Privacy

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RFP Section 7-Training Provided by MAXIMUS

• To ENs
• To State VR Agencies
• Through a Variety of Delivery Mechanisms

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RFP Section 8-Dispute Resolution

• A Process is in-place
• MAXIMUS is there to Facilitate Resolution

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RFP Section 9-Evaluating EN Performance

• Periodic Quality Assurance
• SSA is Developing Measures
• They will seek input from Consumers and ENs.

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RFP Section 10-Reporting Requirements

• Periodic Outcome
• Financial
• IWP Information Form

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Periodic Outcome Report

• MAXIMUS Will Provide the Periodic Outcome Report
  to You for Verification
• Make it Available to Beneficiaries
• Make it Available to the Public

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RFP Section 11-Payments to ENs

• You Choose One Method
• You Can Change During the First 12 Months
• Periodically You Will Have Opportunities to
  Change
• MAXIMUS Will Process Payment Requests in a Timely
  Manner

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RFP Section 12-Statutory/Regulatory
Understanding

• Understand the Program Requirements
• Agree to Comply with the Requirements

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Working Together.Thats the TicketEmployment
Network Opportunity Conference