Jim Allsup, founder and CEO of Allsup Employment Services, appeared July 1 on The David Webb Show on SiriusXM Patriot Channel 125 to discuss the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program and its potential role in helping individuals with disabilities return to work while strengthening the long-term financial outlook of Social Security.
During the interview, Allsup said the Ticket to Work Program, established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, remains significantly underutilized because many eligible beneficiaries are unaware it exists. Citing a third-party study, he said increasing awareness and participation could generate an estimated $250 billion or more in long-term savings for the Social Security Program by helping more beneficiaries successfully return to work.
Allsup noted that only about 30% of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries are aware of the Ticket to Work Program. He also referenced survey data indicating that approximately 18.2% of disability beneficiaries said they expected to leave the disability rolls through employment within five years, suggesting many beneficiaries are interested in returning to work but may not know where to begin.
Throughout the interview, Allsup emphasized that the Ticket to Work Program is designed to help beneficiaries transition back into the workforce while protecting their benefits during that process. He said the Program offers work incentives and employment support intended to reduce concerns about immediately losing benefits as earnings increase.
The conversation also explored broader Social Security reform. Allsup argued that expanding participation in employment support Programs should be part of future reform efforts, saying that helping more people who are medically able and interested in working could improve financial outcomes for beneficiaries while reducing long-term Program costs.
Discussing awareness of the Program, Allsup said more education is needed for beneficiaries and that he has begun discussions with new Social Security leadership under Commissioner Frank Bisignano about opportunities to expand awareness and improve administration of the Ticket to Work Program.
Allsup also highlighted the impact of Allsup Employment Services as an authorized Social Security Employment Network. He said the organization has helped nearly 9,000 beneficiaries successfully leave the disability rolls through employment, representing nearly $3 billion in estimated savings to the Social Security Program.
The interview concluded with Allsup encouraging SSDI beneficiaries interested in returning to work to learn more about the Ticket to Work Program and the employment supports available to them.
Listen now
Learn more about:
Allsup Employment Services can be reached by visiting allsupes.help or calling (866) 540-5105.
