Presenting the Office of Employment Support
SSA’s Office of Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support (ORDES) announced a reorganization that became effective October
1. The Office of Beneficiary Outreach and Employment Support (OBOES) and the
Office of Ticket Operations and Provider Support (OTOPS) is now called the
Office of Employment Support (OES). Robert Pfaff is the Director of this newly
consolidated organization with Patrice McLean serving as the Deputy Director
and Branch Chief for the Policy and Innovation Team. Please direct any questions to ENService@ssa.gov.
Find Help has new features
Social Security recently announced that the Find Help tool now has “click to call” functionality, map links for addresses, updated Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and Protection and Advocacy Program for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) profile information, and indicators for Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies participating in Partnership Plus collaboration. Other recent changes included adding descriptions for each “Type of Provider” and “Benefits Counselor on staff” and adding “Preferred Contact Method” to the Contact Information section.
Check your Find Help listing!
If you need to make changes, please use the TPA Change form. Let us know if your EN has moved, changed any services, has new key points of contact, etc. Submit the form directly to Social Security at ENService@ssa.gov or fax it to 410-597-0429.
National Employment
Network Association (NENA) conference
Ticket Program Manager
(TPM) and Social Security staff including OES Deputy Director Patrice McLean were
pleased to attend and present information at NENA’s 8th Annual
Training Conference held September 19 - 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a
great success drawing the highest attendance ever with over 160 attendees
representing ENs, State VR agencies, Department of Labor, Work Incentives
Planning and Assistance (WIPA), and more. NENA’s sole purpose is to support the needs of EN
organizations and partners working with the Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program.
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Certification of Services (COS) questions
In response to feedback gathered at the NENA conference, we have assembled a list of common questions about the new COS requirements for EN payments compared to Services and Supports. We hope you find this information helpful.
Welcome New ENs
The
following ENs were recently activated to serve Ticketholders:
Become
certified to provide Work Incentives planning services
ENs and State VR agencies
report that a key factor contributing to positive beneficiary outcomes is
providing readily available and ongoing benefits counseling services. As one
way to gain
and retain this expertise, Ticket program service providers are highly
encouraged to have a staff person complete the Community
Partner Work Incentives Counseling Initial Training and certification process, offered by Social Security through the Virginia Commonwealth
University (VCU) National Training and Data Center (NTDC). This rigorous
training is free;
however, space is limited and participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging
and meals. Check out the training calendar, make the commitment, and sign up today!
For a basic understanding of Work Incentives and benefits
The NTDC also offers a web course that provides the basics of the Social Security disability benefit programs and associated Work Incentives. The “Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs” web course is an excellent way to get an overview of Work Incentives planning. Check the calendar and reserve your spot.
Contact Julie Schall at jaschall@vcu.edu or 804-827-0741 with questions about how to register and what level of training is best for you.
 Read and share the latest Work Incentives Series FAQs
The new Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) FAQ explains how beneficiaries who are eligible can use a Social Security-approved PASS to set aside money to use toward expenses related to their work goals. The Unincurred Business Expenses resource explains how this Social Security Work Incentive helps people who receive SSDI and are pursuing self-employment. Find answers to questions about what qualifies as an unincurred business expense and how this affects SSDI benefit payments.
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Ticket by the numbers
Social Security processed 7,361 EN payments (67%) and 3,687 denials (33%) in August. The largest number of denials (1,123 SSNs) was due to beneficiaries receiving federal cash benefits. For an EN to receive outcome payments, a beneficiary must be in a suspense or non-pay cash payment status due to work and earnings. ENs receiving this denial should be aware that the beneficiary is at risk of receiving an overpayment from Social Security. Learn how to assist beneficiaries to avoid overpayments through wage reporting.
 Read and share our latest Success Story
Walter knew that he wanted to work on Cornell
University’s campus, but he was unsure what his employment options were due to
his developmental disability. Connecting with a Ticket to Work service provider
helped him find work experience and develop important technical and soft skills
needed to reach his employment goals. Working at Cornell with help from his EN
also helped him reach another personal and financial goal. To learn more about Walter’s story, read Home Sweet Home and share it with your community.
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October 24, 3 – 4:30 pm: WISE Webinar - Getting Hired: Resume and Interview Tips
October 30, 3 – 4 pm: All EN Payments Call
November 12: Veterans
Day - Office Closed
November 15, 3 – 4:30
pm: All Employment Network (EN) Call
November 22: Thanksgiving
Day - Office Closed
November 28, 3 –
4:30 pm: WISE Webinar – Apprenticeships
December 19: 3 –
4:30 pm: WISE Webinar – Wage Reporting and Overpayments
December 25:
Christmas Day - Office Closed
 Social Security and the Ticket Program Manager would like to hear your questions and updates. Find contact information for the EN Service team, State VR Agency Help Desk and the Provider Support Help Line.
Get on our mailing list
If you do not receive messages about the Ticket program from Social Security but should, please contact ENService@ssa.gov for EN updates and VR.Helpdesk@ssa.gov for State VR agency updates.
Follow Ticket to Work Social Media to keep up with all of the latest Ticket program and disability employment news!
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