Ticket Program Manager (TPM) transition
As previously announced, SSA awarded the new TPM contract to Cognosante. On September 1, 2021, Cognosante became the new TPM contractor, and began a 90-day transition period wherein Maximus and Cognosante have worked together to transition all contract tasks by November 25, 2021. Effective November 26, 2021, Cognosante will assume all contract responsibilities.
We expect the change of contractors to be a cooperative effort, seamless to the public and program stakeholders, with little to no interruption in service. All SSA email addresses and toll-free program phone numbers will remain the same. Please continue to direct your inquiries accordingly.
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Coming Soon! Virtual Employment Summit: Bridges to Employment
Social Security will host a 2-day virtual panel discussion on November 17-18, 2021. The purpose is to identify linkages between employers and Ticket to Work service providers to increase employment for job-ready candidates with disabilities. The Summit will have representation from all aspects of the Ticket Program, including Employment Networks (ENs), state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, other stakeholders, and employers.
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Social Security has revised the Optional Form OF(306), Declaration for Federal Employment
The new version of the form can be found at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OF0306.pdf. All new applicants applying for Suitability Determinations must use the new version, which references “October 2019” in the lower right corner of each page. The Center for Suitability and Personnel Security (CSPS) will no longer accept previous versions, which are obsolete.
CSPS will update the Suitability Guide and make it available when it’s ready.
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Workforce EN Planning Guide
The DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy has released a new technical guide, Ticket to Work: Operating a Workforce EN Planning Guide and Workbook. It promotes the benefits of operating as a workforce Employment Network (EN) and shares available resources to help in this process, including guidance and promising practices.
Social Security announces Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
for 2022
The announcement includes updated figures for the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) as well as the Title II Trial Work Period (TWP) and Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) figures. You will find a handy 2022 COLA Factsheet at https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2022.pdf
Obtaining a my SSA account and extra security
Upcoming changes will increase efficiency for obtaining requirements through Login.gov. The process is automatic and you can add the required information in a couple of simple steps. Look forward to more information coming soon.
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Check your EN listing on the Find Help tool
It’s important to report any errors or changes in your key staff, services, or contact information as soon as possible. Please complete and submit the TPA Change form to ENService@ssa.gov so that we can update the Find Help tool and our contact lists for EN training and email communications.
Help us identify potential ENs to expand Ticket Program services
Are you aware of any organizations that would be a good fit for the Ticket Program? Successful ENs typically have these things in common:
- Demonstrated experience providing employment services to beneficiaries that lead to Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level earnings and reduce dependency on benefit payments.
- Expertise and direct access to benefits counseling and Work Incentives planning services
- Strong relationships with State VR agencies, Workforce System entities and other disability employment partners
- Sufficient resources to appropriately staff and build a productive EN
If you know of any organizations that may be ideal for Ticket to Work, let us know by sending a message to ENOperations@yourtickettowork.ssa.gov.
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Do not email Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Don’t forget that ENs must not send Ticketholder PII by email to Social Security and/or TPM, even if it is encrypted. This includes all reports downloaded from the Ticket Portal. ENs must reference Work Case (WC) numbers when communicating about Ticketholders or payments via email. If you are reporting an error with the Ticket Portal and are asked to provide a screenshot, you must ensure that your screenshot does not contain any PII.
Find more information about transmitting PII, including the consequences for violations, at https://yourtickettowork.ssa.gov/program-operations/transmitting-pii.html.
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Join the crowd receiving Ticket Program text messaging
Our nationwide campaign is designed to inform the public about the Ticket to Work Program and its features, such as the availability of the Choose Work website, the Ticket to Work Help Line, monthly Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars and more. Text TICKET to 474747 to join over 10,000 people receiving text messages from the Ticket Program. Standard messaging rates may apply, and you can opt out at any time.
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Send your Ticket to Work Success Stories
ENs can submit information about success story and stepping stone story candidates that meet the following criteria:
- Success stories feature individuals who achieve financial independence with the help of the Ticket Program.
- Stepping stone stories feature individuals who are on the path to financial independence but have not yet eliminated their reliance on benefits.
Send candidates for stepping stone and success stories to Stories@choosework.ssa.gov.
Mark your calendar for upcoming Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE)
The next webinar, “Choosing a Service Provider That’s Right for You”, will be held November 17 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET. These webinars are a great way to share information with Ticketholders about the Ticket Program. Register at choosework.ssa.gov/wise.
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Social Security and TPM 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.
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