(NAPSA)—Millions of Americans get Social Security disability benefits yet want to work. They may be glad to know abouta federal program that can help them enter the workforce while maintaining access to benefits. Thanks to Social Security's Ticket to Work program, free employmentsupport services help people prepare for work, find jobs orprogress in their careers. Manyof these people are concerned about what employment would mean for their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) orSocialSecurity Disability Insurance(SSDI)benefits. There’s no needto worry. Social Security Work Incentives makeit easier for adults with disabilities to explore work while continuing to receive benefits. Someofthese incentives make it possible for people to test their ability to work without immedi- ately losing Medicare or Medicaid cov- erage. Otherslet people whosedisability interferes with employmentstart receiving benefits again without needing to submit a new application undercertain conditions. Because everyone's situation is different, job seekers are encouragedto talk with a professional Benefits Coun- Brenda wasable to resume herwork helping othersafter being hospitaled for psychosis thanks to a spegovernmentprogram. lege and after manyyears, foundeffective treatment. She wanted to return to work, so wheninformation aboutTicket to Work came in the mail, Brenda connected with a provider whooffered the support she needed. With career counseling, rsumhelp, job leads and a lot of encouragement,Brenda landeda job as a Community Rehabilitation worker. selor. Theseare trained experts who help She applies her humanservice skills to people make informeddecisions about helping vulnerable populations engage employment. To findone,call the Ticket in the community andhasrecovered her to Work Help Line at 1 (866) 968-7842 sense ofpurpose. or1 (866) 833-2967 (ITY). For example, the Ticket program helped Brenda recover the control she lost when,in 1996, she foundherself in the psychiatric unit of a hospital. Brenda hadexperienced psychosis—a frighten ing symptom ofanillness that causes people to lose touch with reality. The symptoms recurred, interfering with herability to maintain steady work.Still, Brenda studied humanservicesin col- “This work is not just about mak- ing money?she reflects. “It’s a healthy [work] environmentand I’mthriving in it. When youhavethe kind of support that allows you to focus on succeeding, youdiscover whatyou can do” Ticket to Work helped Brenda find herpathto a better future. It may help you find yours. To learn more, call the Ticket to Work Help Line orvisit https://choosework.ssa.gov.
