The Ticket to Work Program provides an opportunity for you to improve your earning potential, gain employment, and increase your income. The US Social Security Administration (SSA) sponsors the program. It is a free and voluntary program for persons with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplement Security Income (SSI). Participants in the program receive career counseling, vocational rehabilitation services, job training, and placement.
This program may help you earn more than the cash benefits from SSDI or SSI. A person who makes competitive wages will typically qualify for more housing options than a person on a fixed income, such as SSDI or SSI.
In Steps 1 and 2 of The Guide, you learned about challenges and obstacles that could hinder your plans to live independently. You also learned how to develop strategies to address (or remove) obstacles. The Ticket to Work Program is another strategy to consider and include in your Housing Action Plan; see Step 4 for more information.
To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, please watch the video in the FYI Corner or call D.C. Department on Disability Services’ (DDS) Ticket to Work Specialist, Rhonell Stewart, at 202-590-7534.
Information is power! The more you know, the better equipped you are to determine if the Ticket to Work Program is right for you and how it may improve your ability to rent or buy in the District of Columbia (D.C.).