|
Ticket to Work Program and
Employment Networks
"We believe that
people with disabilities have a right to live and work in their
home community. BCDC is dedicated to providing them with
the opportunity they need to make this possible."
The Ticket to
Work program and Self-Sufficiency Program is the centerpiece of
the Ticket to Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, and a key
component of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative. The
goal of the Ticket Program is to give disability beneficiaries
the opportunity to achieve steady, long-term employment by
providing them great choices and opportunities to go to work if
they choose to do so. BCDC is actively participating in the Ticket to
Work program by being an Employment Network.
How does
the program work?
The Social
Security Administration (SSA) issues tickets to eligible adult
(ages 16-64) beneficiaries. Tickets can be used to obtain
rehabilitation and employment services or a job from any EN a
beneficiary chooses. The ticket to work program is voluntary.
Benefits
of Program:
- Participants are able to
maintain Medicaid eligibility, including prescription drug
coverage;
- After returning to work,
ticket holders are assured of continuing help from local
employment networks up to five years;
- Immediate access to
disability benefits is guaranteed if enrollees are not able to
sustain employment; and
- Increases beneficiary
choice in obtaining rehabilitation and vocational services to
help them go to work and attain their employment goals;
- Removes barriers that
require people with disabilities to choose between health care
coverage and work; and
- Assures that more
Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to participate
in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits.
- A protection and advocacy
system is built into the program to represent the interests of
beneficiaries.
Employment Networks:
Employment Networks
are service providers that work with beneficiaries to provide
support and employment-related assistance. BCDC
has been named an Employment Network for the Ticket to Work
Program. Anyone interested in using their tickets to work at BCDC
are encouraged to do so. BCDC has significant resources to
provide the services to achieve employment goals. We have a fully
trained staff to help you understand your rights and obligations
under the law, including how employment will impact your life.
To
find our more about the Ticket to Work program, contact your local
Social Security Administration office at (252) 946-0117.
|
