Ticket Comes to Mississippi!

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (the Ticket Program) is a relatively new Social Security program. It is for people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits because of disability or blindness. The program offers greater choices in getting the services needed to go to work or to earn more money. The goal of the program is to help individuals earn enough money so that Social Security cash benefits are no longer needed.

SSA initially issued issue tickets to beneficiaries in phases. This allowed SSA to evaluate the Ticket to Work Program and make any necessary improvements. The Ticket Program, which began in February of 2002 in 13 states, was fully implemented nationwide by 2005.

Tickets began arriving in mailboxes in Mississippi the week of November 15, 2002. Over the next several months, about 155,000 Mississippians receiving SSDI and SSI disability benefits received a Ticket to Work. The mailings were staggered, based on the last digit of a beneficiary’s Social Security number continue to be tickets issued to beneficiaries as they are approved for disability benefits. Anyone who wants a Ticket immediately can call 1-866-968-7842 (1-866-YOURTICKET). TDD/TTY users should call 1-866-833-2967 (1-866-TDD2WORK).

Individuals may take their Ticket to one of the many Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation (MDRS) offices located across the state or to any of the employment service providers who offer services in their communities. These providers are called Employment Networks. MDRS provides a range of excellent services to support employments goals of individuals with disabilities who wish to return to work or enter work for the first time. A list of the services provided by MDRS are highlighted in this website. A list of all participating networks can be found at www.ssa.gov/work, by clicking on service providers.

MDRS also offers work incentives planning and assistance services to assist beneficiaries in making informed decisions about employment and their benefits. For more information contact the Community Work Incentives Coordinator in your county.

How the Program Works

Here’s how the program works: A Ticket holder gives the Ticket to MDRS or another Employment Network. MDRS or the other Employment Network develops an individual plan outlining the services to be provided to assist the beneficiary in reaching his or her employment goal.

The Ticket Program is voluntary. Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who receive a Ticket are not required to work, but may choose to use their Ticket to attempt to go to work. Likewise, Employment Networks are not required to accept Tickets.

The Ticket Program is designed to provide people with disabilities with more choices and expanded opportunities to help them go to work. Individuals will receive services from MDRS or another Employment Network for free. SSA will pay MDRS/EN for successfully helping a beneficiary go to work.

The Ticket Program is the cornerstone of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act which was passed by Congress and signed into law in December 1999. Other provisions of the law are already in place to help support people with disabilities as they go to work. These provisions include expanded health care coverage.

Many of the barriers that would force people to choose between health care coverage and work have been removed by the legislation. Social Security disability beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare, the Federal health insurance plan. Effective in October 2000, most Social Security disability beneficiaries are protected by Medicare for at least eight years and six months after they go to work. Medicare coverage continues even if an individual no longer receives a monetary benefit from Social Security. Most SSI beneficiaries are eligible for Medicaid which is a state health benefit. These individuals should contact the Medicaid office in their area for more information. For general information and questions about eligibility or to apply for Medicaid, internet users can visit www.dom.state.ms.us or call toll-free 1-800-421-2408.

Those who have questions about the Ticket Program should call Maximus, Inc. Maximus, the organization selected by SSA to administer the Ticket Program, may be contacted toll-free at 1-866-968-7842 (1-866-YOURTICKET). TDD/TYY users should call 1-866-833-2967 (1-866-TDD2WORK). Internet users can visit http://www.yourtickettowork.com/ - Maximus’ website.

For general information about the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act, please go to SSA’s internet website - http://www.ssa.gov/work - The Work Site.

To contact MDRS about our services and the Ticket Program, call us toll-free at 1-800-443-1000 or by email - mpic@mdrs.state.ms.us.

To inquire about how work will affect SSDI/SSI cash benefits, Medicare/Medicaid, and other Federal and State assistance programs, contact the Mississippi Partners for Informed Choice Program toll-free at 1-800-443-1000, ext. 5332. Also visit the Work Incentives Planning & Assistance page for more information about Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services.