# What is the Ticket to Work program? Last updated Jul 19, 2026 Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/steward Published by SSDI Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary SSA program (created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) for SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries roughly ages 18-64 who want to try working. ## What the government has said, on the record > "Congress established the Ticket program in 1999 to expand the universe of service providers and to provide beneficiaries with choices beyond the State VR agencies. ... Beneficiaries, ENs, One-Stop Career Centers, and State VR agencies voluntarily participate in the Ticket program. ... Once a beneficiary assigns a Ticket to an EN, the EN provides employment support services to assist the beneficiary in obtaining self-supporting employment. The beneficiary receives these services at no charge." — **Robert W. Williams**, Associate Commissioner, Office of Employment Support Programs, Social Security Administration, [Statement before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security and Subcommittee on Human Resources (joint hearing on SSA efforts to help beneficiaries with disabilities return to work)](https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_092311.html), September 23, 2011. Who said this: - https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/congressionaltestimony.html *Editor's note: Ellipses join three verified passages from different sections of the same testimony; document order preserved. The no-medical-CDR-while-using-a-ticket protection in the answer is supported by a separately verified quote from Susan Suter, SSA Associate Commissioner, 2009-05-19.* Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary SSA program (created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) for SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries roughly ages 18-64 who want to try working. Beneficiaries can assign their ticket to an approved Employment Network or state vocational rehabilitation agency, which provides career counseling, training, and job placement help at no charge. While you use your ticket and make timely progress, SSA will not initiate a medical continuing disability review, and your cash and health benefits continue under the normal work-incentive rules while you test work. Program rules are stable year to year, though the earnings milestones tied to EN payments adjust annually. Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary SSA program (created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) for SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries roughly ages 18-64 who want to try working. ## What is the Ticket to Work program? Beneficiaries can assign their ticket to an approved Employment Network or state vocational rehabilitation agency, which provides career counseling, training, and job placement help at no charge. While you use your ticket and make timely progress, SSA will not initiate a medical continuing disability review, and your cash and health benefits continue under the normal work-incentive rules while you test work. Program rules are stable year to year, though the earnings milestones tied to EN payments adjust annually. ## Where to verify See the official source cited in the quote block above, and SSA's own program pages at [ssa.gov/disability](https://www.ssa.gov/disability). Program dollar amounts change annually with the cost-of-living adjustment. ## Sources - Statement before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security and Subcommittee on Human Resources (joint hearing on SSA efforts to help beneficiaries with disabilities return to work) — https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_092311.html - SSA — Disability Benefits — https://www.ssa.gov/disability --- Canonical URL: https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/ticket-to-work-program Publisher: SSDI Direct Answers — a product of Adolicious LLC Published: 2026-07-22T16:07:00+00:00 Modified: 2026-07-19T00:33:38.530395+00:00 License: Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license © 2026 Adolicious LLC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: SSDI Direct Answers is a private informational website. It is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. For official information visit ssa.gov.