If you have a disability and want to return to work in Ohio, two programs are likely to come up: Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ticket to Work program. Both offer employment support, and both are available to people with disabilities — but they work very differently, serve different purposes, and offer significantly different levels of ongoing support. Understanding the distinction could change how you approach your return to employment.
What Is OOD?
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the State of Ohio agency whose mission is to empower Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determination, and independence. OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them in gaining and maintaining competitive integrated employment.
OOD services are funded by the state and federal government and include vocational counseling, job training, job search support, job placement assistance, and in some cases educational guidance and transportation. OOD also contracts with third-party providers — including nonprofits like OneBridge Center — to deliver job development and job coaching services on its behalf.
Importantly, OOD also supports Ohioans applying for disability insurance or supplemental income by helping to determine whether they medically qualify for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. This means OOD plays a dual role: it both helps people with disabilities find work and makes initial disability determinations for SSA in Ohio.
What Is the Ticket to Work Program?
The Ticket to Work program is a free, voluntary federal SSA program that supports SSDI and SSI recipients aged 18 to 64 who want to return to employment. It is not a state program — it is administered by SSA and delivered through authorised Employment Networks (ENs) across the country. OneBridge Center operates as an EN through its membership in the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN).
Unlike OOD, Ticket to Work is specifically designed for people who already receive SSDI or SSI. It builds in benefits protection from the start, provides ongoing support throughout the employment journey, and suspends Continuing Disability Reviews while a participant is making timely progress toward their work goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ticket to Work | OOD | |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it | SSA — federal program | State of Ohio agency |
| Who is eligible | SSDI or SSI recipients aged 18–64 | Ohioans with any disability seeking employment |
| SSDI or SSI required | Yes | No |
| Who pays | SSA pays the EN based on milestones — free to participant | State and federal government funded |
| Benefits protection | Full protection built in throughout | Not specifically designed around benefits protection |
| CDR protection | Yes — suspended while making timely progress | No |
| Support duration | Ongoing — for as long as you need it | Fixed period |
| After support ends | Gradual, planned transition | Case closed — must re-enter system for further support |
| WIP / Benefits Counseling | Yes — built in from the start | Limited — not a core component |
| National scope | Yes — serves beneficiaries nationwide | Ohio only |
The Key Difference: What Happens After You Get a Job
The most meaningful difference between the two programs is what happens after you start working. Under OOD, a provider like OneBridge Center is contracted to deliver job development and job coaching services for a defined period. Once that period ends, the case closes unless OOD extends the engagement. If further support is needed after closure, you would need to re-enter the system.
Ticket to Work was specifically designed to solve this problem. With Ticket to Work, OneBridge continues working with you through job changes, new supervisors, accommodation requests, career progression, and any other employment challenge that arises — for as long as you need that support. There is no revolving door. The relationship does not end when you get a job; it continues throughout your employment journey.
Do You Have to Go Through OOD Before Ticket to Work?
No. You can assign your Ticket directly to an Employment Network like OneBridge Center without going through OOD first. Many people choose to do this precisely because they want the benefits protection and ongoing support that Ticket to Work provides from the start, rather than beginning with a time-limited OOD engagement.
That said, the two programs are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to transition from OOD to Ticket to Work — for example, once an OOD case closes, you can assign your Ticket to an EN to access ongoing support. Some people who have already completed an OOD engagement choose Ticket to Work specifically because they want longer-term coaching that OOD could not provide.
Can OOD and Ticket to Work Work Together?
Yes, in some situations. OOD is classified as a State Vocational Rehabilitation agency under SSA rules, which means there is a coordination process between OOD and Ticket to Work. When OOD is serving a Ticket holder, SSA considers the Ticket to be in use — protecting the participant from CDR during that period. Once OOD closes the case, the participant can formally assign their Ticket to an Employment Network like OneBridge to continue receiving support.
OneBridge Center also provides Work Incentives Planning and Benefits Counseling to clients receiving services through OOD — creating a dual pathway for those already engaged with vocational rehabilitation who want expert benefits guidance alongside their OOD support.
Which Program Is Right for You?
If you receive SSDI or SSI and are thinking about returning to work, Ticket to Work is likely the better starting point — particularly if benefits protection and long-term support are important to you. OOD is a valuable resource for Ohioans with disabilities who do not receive SSDI or SSI, or who need services such as educational funding, adaptive equipment, or training that Ticket to Work does not cover.
For SSDI and SSI recipients in particular, the combination of benefits protection, Continuing Disability Review suspension, individualized Benefits Counseling, and ongoing employment support makes Ticket to Work the more comprehensive option. If you have worked with OOD before and found the support ended before you felt stable in employment, Ticket to Work was designed specifically to address that gap.
OneBridge Center provides Ticket to Work services throughout Ohio and across the United States through the American Dream Employment Network. For the full picture of how the program works, visit our Ticket to Work services page. You may also find these related posts helpful:
- What Is the Ticket to Work Program and How Does It Work?
- What Is Work Incentives Planning and Why Do You Need It?
- What Is Benefits Counseling and How Can It Help You Return to Work?
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services at OneBridge Center
- The State of Disability Employment in Ohio — 2025 Benchmarks and Hiring Pipelines
For more information about OOD services in Ohio, visit ood.ohio.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Ticket to Work and OOD in Ohio?
Ticket to Work is a federal SSA program specifically for SSDI and SSI recipients that builds in benefits protection and ongoing employment support. OOD is a state agency that serves Ohioans with any disability seeking employment, funded through state and federal vocational rehabilitation funding, with a fixed support period that ends once job coaching concludes.
Do I have to go through OOD before I can use Ticket to Work?
No. You can assign your Ticket directly to an Employment Network like OneBridge Center without any prior OOD involvement. Many SSDI and SSI recipients choose this route specifically to access benefits protection and ongoing support from the start.
Can I use both OOD and Ticket to Work?
Yes, in sequence. While OOD is serving you, your Ticket is considered in use and CDR protection applies. Once OOD closes your case, you can formally assign your Ticket to an Employment Network like OneBridge to continue receiving support.
Does OOD protect my SSDI or SSI benefits while I work?
OOD does not specifically manage or protect your disability benefits during employment. Ticket to Work, by contrast, includes Work Incentives Planning and Benefits Counseling as a core component, so you understand exactly how your earnings will affect your benefits before you start work.
What happens when OOD closes my case?
When OOD closes your case, the employment support ends and you would need to re-enter the system for further assistance. Ticket to Work is designed to prevent this — OneBridge continues supporting you through the employment journey without a fixed end date.
Get Started
If you receive SSDI or SSI and want to understand how Ticket to Work compares to your current or previous OOD experience, contact OneBridge Center at (330) 267-7556 or visit our contact page. There is no cost and no obligation.