What Ticket to Work Does

Ticket to Work is a voluntary program run by Social Security that lets you work without losing your SSDI or SSI payments right away. You receive a ticket — an actual document — that you can give to an approved employment provider (called an Employment Network or Vocational Rehabilitation agency). That provider then helps you find and keep a job while Social Security suspends your cash benefits instead of terminating them.

The key difference from working without Ticket to Work: if your earnings are too high, your benefits pause rather than end permanently. If work doesn't work out, you can request reinstatement of your benefits without going through the full SSDI process process again. This protection lasts for up to 60 months (five years) from when you first use your ticket.

You are not required to use Ticket to Work. If you want to work and test your ability to earn without any safety net, you can use your Trial Work Period instead. But if you want a longer runway and the ability to come back to benefits if employment ends, Ticket to Work is the structure that gives you that.

Key Takeaways

  • Ticket to Work is a voluntary five-year program that suspends your SSDI or SSI payments while you work, rather than ending them permanently.
  • You must assign your ticket to an approved Employment Network or Vocational Rehabilitation agency; you cannot use it on your own.
  • During the ticket period, you can request reinstatement of benefits if your work ends, without filing a new SSDI process.
  • Ticket to Work begins when you give your ticket to a provider, not when you receive it in the mail.
  • If you do not use your ticket within 60 months of receiving it, the ticket expires and you lose the reinstatement protection.

Who Can Get a Ticket

You are may be able to access for a Ticket to Work if you are receiving SSDI or SSI and are between 18 and 64 years old. (After 65, you move to retirement benefits and are no longer may be able to access.) You do not have to be in your Trial Work Period to request a ticket — you can ask for one at any time while you are receiving benefits.

Social Security will mail you a ticket automatically if you are between 18 and 64 and receiving SSDI or SSI. You do not have to request it. However, receiving the ticket does not set up the program. The program only starts when you sign the ticket over to an approved provider and that provider accepts it.

If you have already used a Ticket to Work in the past and it expired, you may be able to request a new one. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-866-4-TICKET (1-866-484-2835) to ask whether you are may be able to access for another ticket.

Finding and Assigning Your Ticket to a Provider

Social Security maintains a list of approved providers on the Ticket to Work website at choosework.ssa.gov. The site lets you search by state and by the type of help you need — job coaching, resume writing, interview prep, or ongoing employment support. Some providers specialize in certain disabilities or industries.

Once you find a provider you want to work with, contact them directly. They will ask you about your work history, your disability, and what kind of work you are interested in. If you both agree to work together, the provider will ask you to sign the ticket over to them. At that moment, Ticket to Work officially begins, and your five-year protection period starts.

You are not locked into one provider for the entire five years. If the relationship is not working, you can request that Social Security reassign your ticket to a different provider. You will need to notify Social Security in writing and provide the name of the new provider. The reassignment takes effect once the new provider accepts the ticket.

How Your Benefits Change During Ticket to Work

When you assign your ticket, your SSDI or SSI payments do not stop when ready. Instead, Social Security monitors your earnings. If your monthly earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level — which is $1,550 per month in 2023 for SSDI (the amount changes yearly) — your benefits continue in full.

If your earnings go above the SGA level, your benefits suspend. You will receive a notice explaining the suspension. However, you keep your Medicare (if you have SSDI) or Medicaid (if you have SSI) for at least another 93 months (about 7.75 years), even while benefits are suspended. This is called Medicaid continuation or Medicare continuation, and it is one of the biggest protections Ticket to Work offers.

If your work ends or your earnings drop back below SGA, you can request that Social Security reinstate your benefits. You do not have to file a new process. Social Security will review your current situation and, if you still have a disability and are not working above SGA, will restart your payments. This reinstatement request must be made while your ticket is still active (within the five-year period).

What Happens When Your Ticket Expires

Your ticket expires five years after you assign it to a provider. At that point, the reinstatement protection ends. If you are still working and earning above SGA, your SSDI or SSI will terminate permanently (not suspend). If you are not working or earning below SGA, your benefits will continue as normal.

If your work ends after your ticket expires, you would have to file a new SSDI or SSI process to get benefits again. This is why the five-year window is important — it gives you time to test whether work is sustainable for you without the risk of losing your safety net permanently.

Social Security will send you a notice before your ticket expires, reminding you of the date. If you think you will need more time or support, you can request a new ticket at that point, though may be able to access for a second ticket depends on your individual circumstances.

How Ticket to Work Affects Your Trial Work Period

Your Trial Work Period and Ticket to Work are separate programs, but they can overlap. If you are still in your Trial Work Period when you assign a ticket, the Trial Work Period continues. Months you work during the Trial Work Period count toward the nine-month limit, regardless of whether you have a ticket.

Once your Trial Work Period ends, Ticket to Work becomes your main protection. During the Extended may be able to access Period (the 36 months after your Trial Work Period), your benefits suspend only if you earn above SGA. With a Ticket to Work active, you have the reinstatement protection during this time and for the remainder of the five-year ticket period.

Many people use their Trial Work Period to test work without provider support, then assign a Ticket to Work once they know they want ongoing employment help. This is a common and effective strategy.

What Your Employment Provider Does

An approved Employment Network or Vocational Rehabilitation agency does not find you a job and hand it to you. Instead, they provide services that help you find and keep work. These might include job coaching, help with job applications, interview preparation, workplace accommodations planning, or ongoing support once you are hired.

The provider is paid by Social Security only if you reach certain milestones — typically, staying employed for at least 60 days and earning above a certain threshold. This means the provider has an incentive to help you succeed, but it also means they will not work with you indefinitely if you are not making progress toward employment.

You should ask a provider upfront what services they offer, how long they typically work with someone, and what they expect from you in terms of effort and communication. A good provider will be clear about what they can and cannot do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Ticket to Work if I am still in my Trial Work Period?

Yes. You can assign your ticket at any time while receiving SSDI or SSI, including during your Trial Work Period. The two programs run independently, so months in your Trial Work Period still count toward the nine-month limit even if you have an active ticket.

What happens to my Medicare or Medicaid while my benefits are suspended?

Your health insurance continues for at least 93 months after your benefits suspend, even if you are earning above SGA. This is called continuation coverage and is one of the main reasons to use Ticket to Work. After 93 months, you may be able to buy Medicare coverage, depending on your age and work history.

Can I switch providers if the first one is not helping?

Yes. You can request that Social Security reassign your ticket to a different provider at any time. Notify Social Security in writing with the name of the new provider. The reassignment takes effect once the new provider accepts the ticket, and your five-year protection period continues.

What if I want to stop working before my ticket expires?

You can request reinstatement of your benefits at any time while your ticket is active. If you are not working or earning below SGA and still have a disability, Social Security will restart your payments without requiring a new process. This is the main safety net Ticket to Work provides.

Do I have to use my ticket, or can I just work without it?

Ticket to Work is voluntary. You can work without assigning your ticket and rely on your Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period instead. However, without a ticket, you lose the reinstatement protection and would have to file a new process if benefits end and you later need them again.