Tulare County Office of Education

Ticket to Work

How Does this Program Work?

In 2001, SSA began contracting with national, state, and local service providers to become Employment Networks (ENs). Employment Networks are service providers that work with beneficiaries to provide support and employment-related assistance. The outreach for qualified providers and the contracting process is ongoing and open-ended throughout the life of the Program.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues Tickets to eligible adult (ages 18-64 years) beneficiaries. Tickets can be used to obtain rehabilitation and employment services or a job from any EN a beneficiary chooses.

The Ticket Program is voluntary. Beneficiaries receiving Tickets are not required to participate in the Program or go to work. They may choose to use the Ticket and contact any EN of their choice to discuss services. After the EN of choice and the beneficiary design and agree upon an employment plan, the Ticket is then assigned to the EN.

The Ticket Program rewards success. Once an EN chooses to work with the beneficiary, they are responsible for providing the agreed-upon services as long as the Ticket remains assigned to them. Once the beneficiary reaches Program outcomes, ENs receive payments from the Social Security Administration.

In addition to the Ticket Program, SSA established other service supports in the form of locally based organizations that provide benefit planning, assistance and outreach to beneficiaries; and legal services through protection and advocacy systems in each state.

Tulare County Office of Education
Services for Education and Employment
Ticket to Work Program
626 North Akers Street
Visalia, CA 93292

Linda Singleton, Regional Coordinator
(559) 730-2737
fax: (559) 635-8754

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