If you’re dealing with an illness or disease at the moment that makes it difficult to work, you may be looking into getting Social Security Disability benefits. Sometimes, people in your circumstances aren’t sure how long they’ll need SSDI or if they will be able to return to work in the future.
That’s normal, but if you do find that you want to return to employment in the future, you may be able to use the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program to do so. This program is aimed at helping people find gainful employment, so they can stop using SSDI. At the same time, there is a recognition that people need support as they consider working again, because they may not be able to maintain that career as they deal with their limitations.
What does the Ticket to Work program do?
The Ticket to Work program focuses on helping people with disabilities get back to work. It supports them as they look for work and after they’ve become employed to maintain that employment.
The program wants to increase financial independence and to reduce the reliance on benefits whenever possible.
What services will the Ticket to Work program offer?
The Ticket to Work program may offer a number of services to help those with disabilities find and maintain their work. Some services could include:
- Training for a new role or position.
- Career counseling to explore different career options.
- Vocational rehabilitation.
- Job placement.
- Ongoing support after hiring to make sure participants can reach their work goals.
There are benefits to using the Ticket to Work program instead of just trying to go back to work on your own. One of the main benefits is that you can return to work without automatically losing your benefits.
Essentially, the Ticket to Work program is a kind of trial run, allowing you to try a new career and see if you can maintain it. If you cannot, you can return to receiving the benefits that you used in the past.
For now, focusing on your health is the most important thing to do. However, if you feel that you’d like to return to work in the future, this could be an option.