Why Do I Need Ticket to Work If I'm Already Working and Receive SSDI?

“I already found my own job. What could Ticket to Work and an Employment Network possibly do for me now?”

If you've asked that question, you're not alone. Many people associate Social Security's Ticket to Work Program with one thing: Finding a job.

But here's what's often missed:

Getting the job is only the beginning. Once you begin working while receiving SSDI, your earnings interact with Social Security's work rules. Understanding those rules becomes increasingly important as your earnings change.

Ticket to Work Is Voluntary — The Work Rules Are Not

You do not have to participate in Ticket to Work in order to work while receiving SSDI.

However, Social Security's work rules apply to your earnings whether or not you participate in Ticket to Work.

As you continue working, you may need to understand your Trial Work Period, wage reporting, what happens as your earnings increase, what comes after the Trial Work Period, how your SSDI payment may be affected, and what happens to Medicare.

Knowing where you are in the SSDI work-incentive process helps you make informed decisions about where you're going.

Why Do I Need an Employment Network If I Already Have a Job?

This is where an Employment Network can become especially important.

Your EN can help you understand how Social Security's work rules apply as your earnings increase, what may happen next, what actions you may need to take, and when additional benefits counseling may be needed.

Knowledge of the rules is your safeguard. Your Employment Network helps you put that knowledge into a strategy.

The goal is not only to help you get a job. It is also to help you stay employed, make informed decisions about increasing your earnings, reduce the risk of preventable overpayments, and work toward greater financial stability.

You don't need to be afraid of making money. You need to understand what happens when you make money.

You Have the Job. Now What?

That's why Abbott & Associates developed Ticket to Work Express™.

Ticket to Work Express™ is designed for eligible Social Security disability beneficiaries who are already working or have accepted employment. It provides a streamlined application process so we can focus on where you are now and what comes next.

Instead of beginning with: “How can we help you find a job?” Ticket to Work Express™ begins with: “You have the job. Now let's help you understand and navigate what comes next.”

Your Job Is the Beginning — Not the End of Support.

If you're already working, recently started a job, or have a firm job offer, learn whether Ticket to Work Express™ through Abbott & Associates may be right for you.

Learn More About Ticket to Work Express™