Red Book Updates
Be sure to review the 2020 version of the Red Book now available on Social Security's website.
No more emailing of PII
Remember, Employment Networks (ENs) cannot send personally identifiable information (PII) via email to Social Security or the Ticket Program Manager (TPM) as of July 1, 2020.
To submit PII to Social Security or TPM, ENs must use any of the methods noted below:
- Email: Work case (WC) number to ENPaymentsHelp@yourtickettowork.ssa.gov for payment related inquiries
- Fax: 703.893.4020
- Mail: P.O. Box 1433, Alexandria, VA 22313
- Call the Payments Help Desk: 1.866.949.9687 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) for payment related inquiries
TPM will route all faxes and mail to the correct department. Please allow extra time for processing.
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Best practices for faxing or mailing PII to TPM
- Always use a cover sheet.
- Include your EN name and DUNS number on the cover sheet.
- Include the department name and subject; for example: “Program Integrity – Services and Supports Review”.
- Organize your documents so that TPM receives all documents pertaining to one SSN grouped together.
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Submitting PII for payments
ENs submitting required information for a pending payment must use the Ticket Portal to create an additional fax cover sheet to ensure that the documentation attaches to your payment request.
Coming soon! Submitting PII for Services and Supports reviews
TPM will use a new platform, Government-to-Government Services Online (GSO), to electronically send and receive information for annual Services and Supports Reviews. SSA will create GSO accounts in phases as ENs are selected for their reviews. Note that ENs will use GSO for Services and Supports Reviews only. Look forward to hearing more details soon.
Please send any questions regarding the use of GSO for Services and Supports Reviews to ProgramIntegrity@yourtickettowork.ssa.gov.
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Report new EN contact changes
If you have changes in key staff, services, or contact information, you must inform SSA within 24 hours of the change. The TPA Change form is the KEY tool we use to update the Find Help tool and our contact lists for EN training and email communications. Complete the TPA Change form and submit it to ENService@ssa.gov.
Respond to our survey about ENs serving veterans!
Social Security would like to know what ENs are doing to support Ticketholders who are veterans. If your EN received a survey from us and actively serves veterans, please respond to the survey by August 15.
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Provide input for the new Council on Economic Mobility
Social Security is a member of the Council on Economic Mobility (Council), a new federal interagency effort. The Council seeks to create an accountable and effective structure for interagency collaboration and to use federal authorities to promote family-sustaining careers and economic mobility for low-income Americans. The Council recently published a request for information (RFI) to gather feedback from all of its stakeholders.
As one of Social Security's key stakeholders, we encourage you to review the RFI and submit your comments as soon as possible.
New Fact Sheet
We recently published a new resource that explains benefits counseling and encourages Ticketholders to connect with a Benefits Counselor. Benefits Counselors are often the first step to help Ticketholders alleviate fears and dispel myths about work and benefits. We want to make sure Ticketholders understand the valuable benefits counseling service that many of you provide.
Please share this resource!
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New Ticket Program text messaging campaign
There’s a new nationwide campaign to inform the public about the Ticket to Work Program and certain features of the program, such as the availability of the Choose Work website, Ticket to Work Help Line, monthly Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars and more.
Social Security’s Ticket Program Manager (TPM) sends messages by text to people who have opted into to the campaign and granted Social Security permission to send text messages to them.
People interested in receiving text messages from the Ticket Program can text TICKET to 474747. Standard messaging rates may apply and people can opt out at any time.
Learn more, including how you can share!
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New Success Stories
Ticket Program success stories are a powerful way to demonstrate the services YOU provide. We encourage you to share them with your audience on social media and in your newsletters. If you know of a Ticketholder who could be a potential success story, contact stories@choosework.ssa.gov. Check out our most recent stories:
Johnny – When her granddaughter died, Johnny's grief and clinical depression prevented her from working. She began receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and after more than a decade of focusing on recovery, Johnny sought the help of Ticket to Work in reclaiming her life. Find out how the Ticket Program helped Johnny achieve her goals and work towards financial independence.
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Larry – It's been 6 years since Larry shared his original Ticket to Work success story. Work has given Larry a source of comfort, achievement, stability, and a more engaged life in his community. As Larry and his family reflect on his path to work, they express gratitude for the growth he's experienced. Find out where Larry is now and how work has enriched his life.
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Matt – Matt began receiving SSDI when hearing loss interfered with consistent employment, but he was eager to have a fulfilling career and become financially independent. Thanks to the Ticket Program, Matt had people in his corner who helped him work towards finding fulfilling employment. Matt needed reasonable accommodations during the interview process and on the job. Learn how his EN helped.
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2020 Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) schedule
Webinars typically take place on the 4th Wednesday each month from 3-4:30 p.m. ET and are a great way to get information about the Ticket Program to a large group. On August 26, we’ll answer some of the basic questions about the program and give participants advice on what to do next, including contacting an EN. Visit https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise for more details.
Please help spread the word
If you would like sample social media, blog, or other content to help share any of the resources or events listed above, or would like to volunteer to be a guest blogger, please contact Jayme Pendergraft at SSAMarketing@yourtickettowork.ssa.gov. If you would like to discuss a potential success story, contact stories@choosework.ssa.gov.
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National Employment Network Association (NENA)
The 10th Annual NENA National Training Conference is coming up September 21-24 and going virtual this year! NENA is using an online registration platform and a companion mobile app. You can attend and stay up to date on all of the conference activities right from your desktop or mobile phone.
July 23 Cost Reimbursement webinar
Social Security, in collaboration with the Council for State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, held a recent webinar, "Submitting Successful Claims to Improve Cost Reimbursement (CR) Allowance Rates". You can review the presentation here.
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Take advantage of basic training on Work Incentives and disability benefits
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) National Training and Data Center (NTDC) offers an introductory web course, “Introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Employment Support Programs,” which consists of 6 one-hour lessons. Visit the NTDC website to learn more about the Introductory Web Course and check the calendar of upcoming courses. Hurry, VCU will hold the next session August 17-28.
Check the National All Call schedule
Be sure to put these events and dates on your calendar to stay up to date.
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August
- August 18, 1 - 2:30 p.m.: All Employment Network (EN) Call
- August 26, 3 - 4:30 p.m.: WISE Webinar
September
- September 7: Office closed for Labor Day
- September 23, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.: WISE Webinar
October
- October 20, 1 - 2 p.m.: All State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agency Call
- October 21, 3 - 4:30 p.m.: WISE Webinar
- October 27, 1 - 2 p.m.: All EN Payments Call
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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