Ticket to Work is a federal program that helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. To qualify, you must:

• Be 18 to 64 years old
• Currently be getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits

Note: If you have a disability and don’t qualify for Ticket to Work because you don’t get SSI or SSDI, you may still qualify to get vocational rehabilitation services through Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), or any of its specialized support services.

Ticket to Work, sometimes called the “Ticket program” for short, connects people to services like:

• Vocational rehabilitation
• Training
• Referrals
• Job coaching
• Job counseling
• Placement services

While you are in the Ticket program, Social Security will not do medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), as long as you make timely progress in meeting your employment goals. That means you won’t lose eligibility for SSI or SSDI for medical reasons.

Signing Up

If you get SSI or SSDI and are 18-64 years old, you automatically qualify for the Ticket program. When you are ready to think about work and want to figure out how to get started, you can start the Ticket program by contacting a Ticket to Work Employment Network (EN) or by contacting DRS, or any of its specialized services.

Employment Networks are organizations that can give you the various employment services that Ticket provides. They can be public or private agencies, and may offer slightly different services depending on their specialty or focus. Here are some examples of types of ENs:

• Community rehabilitation programs
• Developmental disability agencies
• Mental health agencies

DRS and its specialized support programs also offer Ticket to Work services that can help you figure out what work to do and how to get a job.

You can only get Ticket to Work services from one agency at a time. That means you have to decide on getting your services from one EN (or from DRS or its specialized programs) – that’s called “assigning your ticket.” The nonprofit Equip for Equality (EFE) gives an overview of the Ticket to Work program, including choosing between DRS or an EN.

Choosing an EN

You can use the Employment Network Directory to find Employment Networks in your area.

For more help choosing an EN:

• Call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
• Email the Ticket to Work customer service office at support@choosework.ssa.gov
• Learn more about the different types of Ticket to Work service providers.

Once you’ve found an EN that interests you, contact it to see if the services and supports it offers are right for you. ENs offer different services based on their specialties. Talk to a few, so that you find one that is a good match for you.

If you think you might want to assign your ticket to DRS or its specialized programs, learn more about the services offered by DRS or its specialized support services.

Changing Employment Networks

You can change your Employment Network at any time. To change ENs, ask your Employment Network to have your ticket “unassigned.” For more detailed information:

• Call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
• Email the Ticket to Work customer service office at support@choosework.ssa.gov

Individual Work Plans

When you and an Employment Network (or DRS or its specialized programs) have agreed to work together, you create an Individual Work Plan (IWP) that clearly shows the responsibilities you and your EN have in order to help you achieve your work goals.

Your plan should include at least the following:

• Your employment goals (the type of work you want to do)
• All services your EN agrees to give you and how they will be delivered to you
• Your responsibilities to meet your work goals and continue to receive services
• What you can do if you are not satisfied with your EN or your plan
• How you can change your plan if you need to

Timely Progress

After you and your EN sign the plan, you want to make “timely progress” towards reaching your employment goals, because as long as you do so, you will not be subject to a medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR) by the Social Security Administration (SSA). That means you won’t lose your eligibility for SSI or SSDI for medical reasons.

To see if you are making timely progress, the Ticket to Work program will review your progress at the end of each 12-month period. If you have met specific requirements related to working a certain amount and making a certain amount of money or achieving educational goals, you don’t have to do a medical CDR.

Get more information from Social Security about timely progress.

An Illinois workNet Center can help you with your job search or career planning, with both in-person and online help available.

Services

Illinois workNet Centers offer free services, including:

• Help finding a job
• Tests to see what skills you have
• Job training
• Career counseling
• Help creating or updating a resume
• Mock interviews
• Workshops

Your local center can tell you about all the services they offer. They can also tell you about local employers who are hiring and teach you the basics of how to do a job search. Plus, each center has equipment that can help you with your job search, including computers, adaptive equipment, and materials in alternative formats.

Illinois workNet also has help online:

• A Quick Start Guide to learn how Illinois workNet can help you achieve your training and career goals.
• A Disability Works program with resources and tools for job seekers with disabilities. This includes videos to guide you through the job search and employment process, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
• A Disability Employment Guide to help you reach your career, training, and employment goals.
• A Youth Guide with quick and easy steps for young people wanting to explore careers, find training, or get resume help.
• Illinois workNet’s Virtual Job Fair (VJF), which lets you explore employer information, meet with employers, and find job opportunities via desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Locations

You can find job search or career planning services near you, using either the Illinois workNet Service Finder tool or the more specialized Disability Services Locator tool.

The Illinois workNet Calendar offers information about job fairs, adult education classes, and job training sessions.

The Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) can help you prepare for and find work. They can help you get the training or other services that you need to return to work, enter a new line of work, stay in the workforce, or enter the workforce for the first time. The vocational rehabilitation services that DRS offers depend on your strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests. A DRS counselor works with you to figure these out and make a plan for reaching your work goals.

To become eligible for services from DRS, you must have a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult for you to find and keep a job. If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) based on your disability, you probably qualify for DRS.

DRS can be your service provider for the Ticket to Work program, or you may be eligible for DRS services without being in the Ticket program.

Use the Department of Health Services Office Locator to find a rehabilitation services office near you, or call 1-877-581-3690 or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY).

DRS Transition Services for Students

Illinois students with disabilities who are 14.5 years old to 21 years old may qualify for Pre-Employment Transition Services (PTS) or Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP) services to help them become productive, self-sufficient adults. Many of these services are provided through local high schools, and can include:

• Job exploration counseling
  
• Work-based-learning experience
• Counseling on college or vocational training programs
• Workplace readiness training
• Self-advocacy instruction
• In-school and worksite training options, including internships, with the goal of having an employer-paid job in an integrated community setting

To learn more, read the downloadable brochure on Transition Services for Youth with Disabilities or call DRS at 1-877-761-9780, 1-866-264-2149 (TTY), or 1-312-957-4881 (videophone or VP).

Other Resources

Schools for Children and Youth with Disabilities

DRS runs three residential schools designed to prepare children and youth with disabilities to live successfully as independent, self-supporting citizens who are actively involved in their communities:

• The Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville has accredited academic programs for preschool through 12th grade (3-21 years old), plus a program for deaf or hard of hearing infants and toddlers in the surrounding area.

• The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville offers educational and related services for students who are blind or visually impaired in preschool, elementary, and high school (birth to age 22).

• The Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education - Roosevelt in Chicago serves students with severe physical disabilities from elementary to 12th grade, as well as those transitioning to other programs.

The Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) offers specialized support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or Hispanic or Latino with disabilities.

Services for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

If you are blind or visually impaired, the Bureau of Blind Services (BBS) can help you gain independence and reach your work, education, training, and independent living goals. Their services include:

• Evaluation
• Guidance and counseling
• Education
• Training
• Physical and mental restoration
• Assistive devices
• High level blindness training
• Job development
• Job placement
• Support services to help you get and keep a job

BBS also offers:

• Blindness skill training at a residential program for people who are newly blind or visually impaired
• Independent living services for older adults who are blind
• The Illinois Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEPB), a training program with on-line, classroom, and on-the-job experience

Get more information about DRS services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Services for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

If you have a hearing loss (deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, or deafblind), you can get help to find a job, get ready to go to work, or find the services you need.

Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf offer help with things like:

• Vocation Rehabilitation services
• Counseling and guidance
• Help with training and technology
• Hearing loss resources
• Information about and referral to needed services
• Interpreter resources and guidelines
• Advocacy

Get more information about DRS services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Services for People with Disabilities who are Hispanic or Latino

If you are 16-64 years old, Hispanic or Latino, have a disability, and want to work, Spanish-speaking and culturally-sensitive DRS staff will:

• Help you get ready for and find a job
• Connect you with needed support, like the Home Services program
• Give technical help and support
• Help migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities and their families
• Do statewide outreach, information, and referral to people in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Home Services programs
• Guide Hispanic or Latino DRS clients to serve as advocates on boards and committees

Get more information about DRS services for people with disabilities who are Hispanic or Latino.