Serving Individuals who are SSDI/SSI Participants Policy and Social Security Ticket to Work Procedure - POL-11-01

ACCES-VR has updated the Serving Individuals who are SSDI/SSI Participants Policy 210.00 and the corresponding 210.00P Social Security and Ticket Procedure to conform with the changes in SSA regulations on the Ticket to Work Program. The revisions should more effectively guide ACCES-VR counselors in applying their expertise in serving these individuals who face unique challenges when entering or reentering the workforce.

Highlights in the revised policy include:

  • An emphasis on benefits counseling and how it can enable individuals to pursue higher wage employment without risking essential cash or medical benefits;
  • A Ticket to Work Fact Sheet (attached) that provides counselors and consumers with a clear reference tool explaining the main features of the Ticket to Work Program; and,
  • An updated explanation of the presumed eligibility procedure that was integrated into CaMS in November 2009.

Please review the policy, procedure and fact sheet in its entirety to familiarize yourself with the above highlighted areas.

Training for all ACCES-VR District Office staff on the revised policy and procedures is being planned for early summer. If you have any questions, please contact the VR Policy and Partnerships Unit at 518-474-1658 or the Social Security Unit at 315-4284016 or 1-800-807-5611.

Several staff provided critical input into the development of the revisions including: Chris Dennihy, Social Security Coordinator; John Tracy, Regional Coordinator; Gerri Malone, VR Policy and Partnerships Specialist; Arnie Dorin, Regional Workforce Development and Business Relations Coordinator; Dan O’Shea, Director of Counseling; Lori Scalera, Manager of Data Processing; and Lyn Oyer, Information Technology Specialist 4. We also received valuable comments from the District Offices and a few external partners.

The revised Serving Individuals who are SSDI/SSI Participants Policy 210.00 and the corresponding 210.00P Social Security and Ticket Procedure will take effect immediately. The revised policy and procedure will be posted on the VR Policy and Procedures webpage.

PRO-08-01 Procedural Memo on Ticket to Work Rule Change – July 18, 2008 is now obsolete.

Date Issued: April 20, 2011