Your Role In The Ticket To Work Program

Last Updated: 7/21/2026

If you're receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and considering a return to work, you may be wondering how the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Ticket To Work (TTW) Program works. The program can help simplify the process and provide support for your transition. Ticket To Work allows you to explore employment opportunities while keeping access to your SSDI benefits and important work incentives and protections.

An Employment Network (EN), such as Allsup Employment Services (AES) can provide guidance, resources and support, but your success in the program also depends on your active participation. Knowing your responsibilities and staying engaged can help you make the most of the program and protect your benefits.

Assign And Actively Use Your Ticket

Your first step in the TTW Program is assigning your Ticket to an approved Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency.

Assigning your Ticket is just the beginning. To remain in good standing in the program, you must actively participate in the services and activities outlined in your Individual Work Plan (IWP). The TTW Program is designed to help you move toward employment, so ongoing engagement is an important part of your success.

Develop And Follow Your Individual Work Plan

When you enroll with an EN, you'll work together with your EN representative to create an Individual Work Plan (IWP). This document serves as a roadmap for your employment journey and includes:

• Your employment goals.
• The services and supports you'll receive from your EN.
• Action steps to help you reach your goals.
• Agreed-upon timelines and expectations.

Once your plan is in place, you're responsible for following through on the activities you've agreed to complete. If your circumstances change or you encounter challenges, it's important to communicate with your EN so your plan can be adjusted as needed.

Make Timely Progress Toward Employment Goals

One of the key benefits of participating in the TTW Program is protection from medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs). A CDR is the SSA’s periodic check on your disability status. If SSA determines that your condition no longer meets their definition of a disability, you could lose your SSDI benefits. By having an active ticket assigned and making timely progress in the program, you are protected from CDRs.

Timely progress may include:

• Working a required number of months.
• Earning income at specified levels.
• Completing educational or vocational training milestones.

SSA periodically reviews your progress to ensure you're meeting these benchmarks. If you do not meet timely progress requirements, you may lose this protection while participating in the program.

Communicate Regularly With Your EN

Regular communication with your EN is key to your success in the program. While participating, be sure to:

• Stay in contact with your vocational expert at your EN.
• Report changes in your employment status.
• Respond to notices from SSA and let your EN know that you have.
• Notify SSA and your EN of address changes or other benefit-related updates.

Keeping everyone informed helps ensure you receive the support you need and stay in compliance with program requirements.

Understand Your Work Incentives

Allsup Employment Services can help explain how work may affect your SSDI benefits and how to make the most of these benefits.

Important work incentives to understand include:

Trial Work Period (TWP): A rolling nine-month period that allows you to test your ability to work while continuing to receive your full SSDI benefit, regardless of your earnings.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): A 36-month period following your TWP when you can receive SSDI benefits in months when your earnings fall below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR): If you need to stop working because of your symptoms within 5 years of when your benefits stopped, EXR can restart your benefits without a new application.

Monitoring your earnings and understanding how these programs work can help you avoid benefit overpayments and make informed decisions about employment. Your EN can provide guidance on how to correctly report your earnings to the SSA, and it’s your responsibility to do so.

Know Your Options If Your Needs Change

Your health conditions may change with time and AES can help by:

• Explaining rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Offering guidance on how to request reasonable accommodations.
• Helping identify strategies to manage workload or scheduling needs.

Making The Most Of Your Ticket To Work Journey

The Ticket To Work Program is designed to help you achieve greater financial independence through employment. While your EN provides guidance and support, your role is much more than simply receiving services.

To get the most from the program, it is important to actively participate in your plan, stay in regular contact with your EN, track your progress, and understand how work may affect your benefits.

By staying engaged and taking an active role in your employment journey, you can maximize the benefits of the TTW Program and confidently work toward your career goals.

Returning To Work With Allsup Employment Services

Allsup Employment Services (AES) is an SSA-authorized EN for the TTW Program. We have over 10 years of experience helping thousands of individuals return to work. We can help guide you through the SSA’s work incentives as you move forward on your return-to-work journey.

TTW helps you protect your SSA disability benefits, and working with AES you can:

• Earn More. Make as much income as you choose during the Trial Work Period and protect your full SSDI benefits.
• Stress Less. Avoid medical disability reviews and the worry that comes with them.
• Keep Medicare. While working, you can keep Medicare for over seven years.
• Avoid Risk. If you stop working anytime within five years, your SSDI benefits can resume through a reinstatement process.
• Pay Nothing. As a Social Security-authorized Employment Network, our services are provided at no cost.

Choosing AES means working with an EN who’s focused on your goals and will work with you every step of the way.

Get Started With No Cost And No Obligation

You can reach Allsup Employment Services today by calling 866-540-5105or requesting a call.