Ticket to Work Program

 

Are you Receiving Social Security Benefits and Interested in Working?

Social Security's Ticket to Work Program helps people between 18 and 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and are interested in going to work.

What is the Ticket to Work Program?

The Ticket to Work Program provides most people receiving Social Security benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services. Under this program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues tickets to eligible beneficiaries who, in turn, may choose to assign those tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services or other support services necessary to achieve a vocational (work) goal. The EN, if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment. Participation in the Ticket to Work Program is completely voluntary.

How it Works?

Social security beneficiaries eligible for the program are issued a "Ticket" by Social Security which they can use to get services they need to go to work. Services can be provided by the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or other agencies, called Employment Networks (ENs).

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Our goal is to provide you with the assistance you need to return to work that is within your areas of interest and meets your individual conditions of employment.

This may include a variety of the services or referrals to appropriate agencies such as vocational rehabilitation or other community service providers.

What are EN services provided at the Job Center?

  • Career counseling and guidance
  • Resumé development
  • Vocational exploration
  • Interview preparation
  • Job search assistance
  • Job development
  • Job coaching
  • Social Security Disability Benefits Advisement
  • Information regarding the Alaska Working Medicaid Buy-In program
  • Job accommodation instruction and assistance
  • Follow-up supports including general employment guidance, job retention services and ongoing Social Security Disability benefits advisement
  • Possible on-the-job training or skills training utilizing funding through the Workforce Investment Act, based on eligibility
  • Referrals to additional services and supports
  • Assistive technology

What are the advantages of using the Ticket and Work Incentives?

While you are actively participating in the Ticket to Work program, you can get the help you need to find the job that is right for you and you can safely explore your work options without losing your benefits.

  • You can easily return to benefits if you have to stop working (known as “expedited reinstatement of benefits”).
  • You will not receive a medical continuing disability review (CDR) while using your Ticket.
  • If your wages exceed Social Security income limits, you can maintain your medical benefits through the Alaska Working Disabled Medicaid Buy-In program.

Working provides much more than a paycheck it provides opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, provides a sense of accomplishment, boosts self esteem, opens up advancement opportunities and generates potential health and retirement benefits.

Utilize an expert at the job center to help you chart your path to achieve your employment goals. Proper planning is a wonderful thing.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Individuals who enroll in our TTW program must:

• Be 18 to 64 years old
• Be receiving SSI and/or SSDI Based on a Disability
• Have a strong interest in seeking employment that is consistent with your interests and abilities
• Be motivated and capable of working on goals with Ticket to Work staff members

Who to contact for more information?

The Employment Security Division through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development currently offers Employment Network Services at these two job centers: Juneau Job Center and Fairbanks Job Center.

Please call or visit to find out how we can assist you in achieving your goals!

Juneau Job Center
10002 Glacier Highway, Suite 100
Juneau, AK 99801
907.465.2952

Contact: Karac Bronyraur
907.465.2964
karac.bronyraur@alaska.gov

The Juneau Job Center now offers a Ticket to Work Workshop every first Wednesday of the month beginning June 6, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Learn how you can use the TTW program to obtain the services and support you need to go to work. To register for this workshop, visit www.jobs.alaska.gov and click on ALEXsys. Once registered in ALEXsys, click on “Schedule Workshop” under “My Reemployment Center.” If you need assistance, please contact the Juneau Job Center helpline at (907) 465-4562.

Please view our Ticket to Work Workshop schedules.

Fairbanks Job Center
675 7th Ave., Station B
Fairbanks, AK 99701
907.451.5967

Contact: Tammi Burns
907.451.5296
tammi.burns@alaska.gov

Contact: Rene Nordin
907.451.5966
rene.nordin@alaska.gov

Anchorage Midtown Job Center
3301 Eagle Street, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
907.269-4759

Contact: Gwyne Montagna
907.269.6514
gwyne.montagna@alaska.gov

Anchorage Muldoon Job Center
1251 Muldoon Rd., Suite 111
Anchorage, AK 99504
907.269.0000

Contact: Melissa Mitchell
907.269.6420
melissa.mitchell@alaska.gov

Job Centers located in Wasilla and Kenai are scheduled to provide Employment Network services sometime in 2013. Stay tuned!

Learn more about how work impacts your Social Security benefits
To learn more about how work is going to impact your Social Security benefits, please take a moment to view this recorded webinar!

Please note that the trial work level (TWL) earning in 2012 is $720. The substantial gainful activity (SGA) earning in 2012 for non-blind is $1,010 and for blind $1,690.

For more information, visit chooseworkttw.net

 

The Alaska Job Center Network is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.