You Asked, We Answer! Choosing a Service Provider That’s Right for You
On February 22, we hosted a Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar, “Ticket to Work: Choosing a Service Provider That’s Right for You.” The webinar shared information to help people who want to work and who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) choose a service provider.
During the webinar, many attendees asked great questions about choosing and working with a service provider. Our answers to the top three questions will help you on your own path to work!
What is the difference between an Employment Network (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency?
ENs and State VR agencies are both service providers under the Ticket to Work (Ticket) program. Both can offer career planning and help finding work.
VR agencies work with people with disabilities who may need extra help as they start their career path. VR agencies can offer education, training, career counseling and job placement services.
ENs can also help with career planning and job placement services, and can offer eligible people with disabilities ongoing employment support services. If you start your work journey with your VR agency and then begin working, after your case with VR is closed, you can connect with an EN to get ongoing support as you move toward work and build a career.
To learn more about ENs and VR agencies, read our blog post introducing you to the two types of service providers. If you’d like to work with an EN, Finding an EN and Assigning Your Ticket Worksheet can help you keep track of the ENs you’re considering and offer you important questions to ask before you decide if they are a good fit for your needs.
How do I find the service provider that’s right for me?
To find a service provider, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers to find one that’s right for you. You can also find providers using the Find Help tool. This online resource allows you to search by name, location, services offered, disabilities served or languages spoken.
What if I’m not happy with my EN or State VR agency?
All ENs and State VR agencies have a process to resolve concerns. As a courtesy, you may want to use their process before you stop using their services.
To change ENs, you’ll need to un-assign your ticket. We encourage you to notify your current EN that you plan to un-assign your ticket with them. You’ll then need to submit a Beneficiary Ticket Unassignment Request Form. To keep your medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection, it’s important to re-assign your ticket within 90 days of un-assigning it with a service provider.
Still have questions?
Our free, monthly WISE webinars cover a variety of Ticket program and Work Incentives topics. Register and attend the webinars regularly for Ticket program updates and to find out how Social Security and the Ticket program can help you along your career path.
Join us for our next WISE webinar on Wednesday, March 22, 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET. “Achieving Financial Independence with Ticket to Work and the ABLE Act!” will offer details about ABLE programs and how this tax-advantaged savings account can help certain people with disabilities save money for the future without making them ineligible for Social Security disability benefits. Register now to attend this free event!
If you missed last month’s webinar or would like to catch up on past events, check out the WISE archives for webinar materials and transcripts.
About Ticket to Work
Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.
