What the Ticket to Work program is and how it connects to your trial work period

The Ticket to Work program is a Social Security initiative that lets you work without losing your SSDI benefits right away. You receive a "ticket" — a document that proves you are part of the program — and you can use it to work with an employment provider (a vocational rehabilitation agency, an employment network, or a one-stop career center) while keeping your benefits during a longer grace period than the standard trial work period allows.

The key difference from the trial work period alone: once you enter Ticket to Work, the clock on your trial work period pauses. You get to use your nine trial work months, but you also get an extended period called the extended may be able to access period where you can continue working and earning without SSDI stopping when ready. This means you have more runway to test whether work is sustainable for you.

You do not have to use Ticket to Work. The trial work period exists whether you join the program or not. But if you are thinking about working for more than a few months, Ticket to Work is usually the better choice because it gives you a longer safety net.

Key Takeaways

  • Ticket to Work pauses your trial work period clock, letting you use those nine months while also getting an extended may be able to access period of up to 36 months where you can keep working without losing benefits when ready.
  • You assign your ticket to an employment provider — a vocational rehabilitation agency, employment network, or one-stop career center — who helps you find and keep a job.
  • During the extended may be able to access period, you keep receiving SSDI payments even if your earnings are high, but Medicare or Medicaid coverage rules still explore based on your income.
  • If you stop working or your provider stops serving you, your ticket ends and your trial work period resumes from where it paused.
  • You can request a new ticket if your first one ends, so you are not locked into one choice.

How to get a ticket and assign it to a provider

Social Security sends Ticket to Work invitations to people receiving SSDI who are between ages 18 and 64. If you receive an invitation in the mail, you can accept it by calling 1-866-4-TICKET (1-866-484-2835) or by visiting the official Ticket to Work website at choosework.ssa.gov. You do not need to wait for an invitation — you can contact that number or website to request a ticket even if you have not received one.

Once you have a ticket, you need to assign it to an employment provider. The Ticket to Work website has a searchable directory of approved providers in your area. You can also call the Ticket to Work hotline and ask for referrals. When you find a provider, you sign an agreement with them that says they will help you find work and keep your job. The provider then notifies Social Security that you have assigned your ticket to them.

You can change providers if the first one is not helping you or if you move. You straightforward notify Social Security and assign your ticket to a new provider. This flexibility matters because a bad fit with a provider can slow your progress.

What happens to your trial work period when you use Ticket to Work

Your nine trial work months do not disappear when you enter Ticket to Work — they pause. Each month you work and earn over the trial work threshold (which changes yearly; in 2024 it was $1,050 per month, but check with Social Security for the current amount) counts as one trial work month. Once you have used all nine, your trial work period ends, but you move into the extended may be able to access period instead of losing benefits when ready.

The extended may be able to access period lasts up to 36 months. During this time, you can work and earn as much as you want without SSDI stopping. However, Social Security still monitors your earnings and your medical condition. If your earnings stay high for a sustained period, Social Security may eventually determine that you are no longer disabled and end your benefits — but this is a separate decision from the Ticket to Work timeline.

If you stop working or your provider stops serving you before you use all nine trial work months, your ticket ends and your trial work period resumes. The months you already used stay used, but you can continue using the remaining months if you work again later.

How your benefits and healthcare coverage work during Ticket to Work

During your trial work months and your extended may be able to access period, you keep receiving your full SSDI payment each month, regardless of how much you earn. This is the main protection Ticket to Work offers — you are not penalized for working.

Your Medicare coverage continues automatically during the trial work period and the extended may be able to access period. If you have Medicaid, the rules depend on your state. Some states continue Medicaid as long as you are in the Ticket to Work program; others use your earnings to decide whether you stay covered. Contact your state Medicaid office or ask your employment provider to clarify your state's rules before you start working.

After your extended may be able to access period ends, if you are still working and earning above the substantial gainful activity level (the amount Social Security uses to decide if you are working at a significant level — in 2024 this was $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals, but it changes yearly), Social Security will review whether you are still disabled. This review can result in your benefits ending, but you will receive notice and a chance to explain your situation before that happens.

What your employment provider does and does not do

Your employment provider's job is to help you find work that matches your skills and health limitations, and to support you in keeping that job. They may help you write a resume, practice interviews, find job openings, negotiate with employers about accommodations you need, and check in with you after you start working to make sure things are going well.

Employment providers are paid by Social Security based on your progress — they earn money when you reach certain milestones like getting a job or staying employed for a set period. This means they have an incentive to help you succeed, but it also means they focus on people they think have a reasonable chance of working. If a provider is not helping you after a few months, you can request a different one.

Your provider does not make decisions about your SSDI or your medical condition. They cannot tell Social Security to stop your benefits or change your status. Only Social Security makes those decisions.

What to do if your ticket ends or you want to stop working

If you stop working or your provider stops serving you, your ticket ends automatically. Social Security will send you a notice explaining what happens next. Your trial work period resumes, and any remaining trial work months are still available to you if you work again in the future.

If you want to request a new ticket after your first one ends, you can call 1-866-4-TICKET or visit choosework.ssa.gov. There is no limit to how many times you can request a ticket, so you can try working multiple times over the years if you want to.

If you decide work is not working for you right now — whether because of your health, the job market, or personal reasons — you can straightforward stop working and keep your SSDI benefits. Your trial work period and extended may be able to access period end, but your benefits continue. You can always request a ticket again later if circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Ticket to Work, or can I just use my trial work period?

You can choose either one. The trial work period works on its own without Ticket to Work. But Ticket to Work gives you a longer grace period (the extended may be able to access period) after your nine trial work months end, so most people who plan to work for more than a few months find it more useful. You can always decide later — there is no important date to join.

What if I work part-time — does that count toward my trial work months?

Only months where you earn over the trial work threshold count. In 2024, that was $1,050 per month, but it changes yearly. If you earn less than that in a month, that month does not count as a trial work month, even if you worked. This is one reason Ticket to Work can be valuable — you can gradually increase your hours without burning through your nine months.

Can I lose my SSDI while I am using Ticket to Work?

Your SSDI payments continue during your trial work months and extended may be able to access period no matter how much you earn. After the extended may be able to access period ends, Social Security can end your benefits if you are earning at a substantial gainful activity level and they determine you are no longer disabled. You will receive notice before this happens.

What if my employment provider is not helping me find a job?

You can request a different provider. Call 1-866-4-TICKET or visit choosework.ssa.gov to find another approved provider in your area. You can change providers as many times as you need to find one that is a good fit.

Do I have to tell my employer I am on SSDI or using Ticket to Work?

No. Your SSDI status and Ticket to Work participation are confidential. You do not have to disclose them to your employer. You may choose to tell your employer about health limitations you have and request accommodations, but that is separate from disclosing your benefits status.