To Financial Independence (NAPSA)—Organizations across the country stand readytoassist people with disabilities who want to workdiscoveropportunities for employment and a path tofinancial independence. These organizationsare part of a network of service providers in Social Security's Ticket to Work program. ‘The Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through There's a free, voluntary program 64 who get Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) and want to work. that helps people disabilities move toward financial indepen‘The program, whichis free and volun- dence by connecting them with tary, helps people with disabilities move services and support needed to suctoward financial independence by con- ceedin the workforc necting them with the services and supportto succeedin the workforce. individuals who need more significant Service providers form an employ- services, such asintensive training, education andrehabilitation. They may also abilities join and remain in the work- mentassistance andbenefits counseling. HowIt Works ment team tohelp individuals with dis- force with supports tailored to the individual’s needs. Virtual and in-per- son services vary among organizations, but they share the same goal—to help participants find jobs that, over time, decrease their reliance on benefit pay- ments. Careerplanning, job leads and placement, benefits counseling, education, intensive training and ongoing employment support may be available from variety ofservice providers. WhoCan Help ‘These providers include: + Employment Networks (EN)— Private or public organizationsthatoffer career planning, job placement and ongoing employmentsupport. ENs may also offer benefits counseling to help program participants understand how their benefits will be affected by work. ‘This includes ENsthatare also part of thestate’s public workforce system (also referred to as Workforce (WE) EN). Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)— State agencies that typically work with provide career counseling, job placeWork Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA)—Organizations authorized by Social Security to provide free benefits counseling to Social Security disability beneficiaries to help them makeinformedchoices about work. + Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)—Organizations that advo- cate foreligible beneficiaries to remove disability-related barriers to successful employmentandhelp them understand theirlegalrights regarding conditionsof employment. Learn More For further facts about the Ticket program,call the Ticket to Work Help Line at1 (866) 968-7842 or 1 (866) 8332967 (TTY) Mondaythrough Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send youa list of service providers or visit https://choosework.ssa.gov for information and use the Find Help tool at _https://choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp to search for providers.
