The Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program is one of the most underutilized employment resources available to adults with disabilities in Ohio — and one of the least understood. Many people who qualify for it have never heard of it. Many who have heard of it are not sure how it connects to the services and support they already receive.
At OneBridge Center in Medina, Ohio, we work with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are moving toward competitive employment — and the Ticket to Work program is one of the pathways that can support that journey for qualifying individuals. This guide explains what the program is, who it is for, how it works in practice, and how it connects to vocational services in Medina County and across Ohio.
What Is the Ticket to Work Program?
The Ticket to Work program is a voluntary Social Security Administration (SSA) initiative designed to help people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) explore employment without immediately losing their benefits. It was created to address one of the biggest barriers that keeps disabled adults from attempting to work — the fear that earning income will automatically disqualify them from the disability benefits they depend on.
Through the program, eligible individuals receive a “ticket” — not a physical document, but an authorization — that they can use with an approved Employment Network (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. The EN or VR agency provides employment services, job training, career counseling, and placement support in exchange for the ticket. The SSA then reimburses the EN based on the participant’s employment outcomes — which means the services are provided at no cost to the participant.
The program also includes work incentive provisions that allow participants to test their ability to work while maintaining benefits during a transition period, rather than facing an immediate benefit cutoff the moment they start earning income.
Who Qualifies for the Ticket to Work Program?
To be eligible for the Ticket to Work program, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 64
- Currently receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits based on a disability
- Not be receiving benefits solely based on age
If you meet these criteria, you are likely already eligible — the SSA automatically issues tickets to eligible beneficiaries. Participation is entirely voluntary. You choose whether to use your ticket, with which provider, and when. You can also pause or restart participation if your circumstances change.
It is worth noting that the Ticket to Work program is distinct from services funded through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities or through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). Some individuals may access both — using OOD for vocational rehabilitation services while their ticket is assigned to an Employment Network for additional support. A vocational counselor can help you understand how these programs interact for your specific situation.
How Does the Ticket to Work Program Work?
The process of using your Ticket to Work involves a few clear steps:
Step 1: Find out if you have a ticket. If you receive SSDI or SSI, you likely already have a ticket assigned to you. You can verify this by calling the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or by visiting the SSA’s Choose Work website.
Step 2: Choose an Employment Network or State VR agency. You assign your ticket to an approved provider who will deliver employment services. In Ohio, the state VR agency is Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). You can also assign your ticket to an approved Employment Network — organizations specifically authorized to provide Ticket to Work services.
Step 3: Develop an individualized employment plan. Your chosen provider works with you to create a plan that outlines your employment goals, the services you will receive, and the steps toward achieving your goal of self-supporting work. This plan is individualized — it is built around your specific skills, needs, and the kind of employment you are working toward.
Step 4: Access services and work toward employment. Services provided through the program can include job skills training, vocational rehabilitation and computer training, career counseling, resume development, interview preparation, job development and placement, and ongoing employment support after you start working.
Step 5: Benefit protection while you work. While your ticket is assigned and you are making timely progress toward your employment goal, the SSA generally will not conduct a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) — the periodic review that can result in benefits being reduced or stopped. This protection is one of the most important features of the program for many participants.
Key Work Incentives Connected to Ticket to Work
One of the most confusing aspects of working while receiving disability benefits is understanding what happens to your SSDI or SSI when you start earning income. The Ticket to Work program works alongside several SSA work incentive provisions that are designed to give you a runway to test employment without risking an immediate benefit cliff.
Trial Work Period (SSDI): SSDI recipients are allowed a trial work period of up to nine months (within a 60-month rolling window) during which they can work and receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how much they earn. This allows you to try working and see how it goes without losing benefits immediately.
Extended Period of Eligibility (SSDI): After the trial work period ends, SSDI recipients enter a 36-month extended period during which benefits are paid in any month where earnings fall below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. If earnings exceed SGA in some months but not others, benefits can turn on and off rather than stop permanently.
Earned Income Exclusion (SSI): SSI recipients have their benefit reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above a small disregard amount — meaning benefits do not stop immediately when you start earning, but phase out gradually as income increases.
1619(b) Medicaid Protection (SSI): SSI recipients who earn enough to lose their cash benefit may still retain Medicaid coverage under Section 1619(b) if their earnings remain below a state-specific threshold and they continue to have a disabling condition. In Ohio, this threshold is updated annually.
Understanding exactly how these provisions apply to your situation requires a conversation with a benefits counselor — the SSA provides free Benefits Counseling and Assistance through Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs. You can find a WIPA counselor through the Choose Work website.
How Ticket to Work Connects to Vocational Services in Medina County
For adults with IDD in Medina County and surrounding areas, the Ticket to Work program works best when it is part of a broader vocational plan that includes skills training, employment support, and connection to local employers.
At OneBridge Center, our DigiSkills vocational training program provides the foundational computer and workplace skills that employment-ready adults with IDD need — typing, data entry, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and more. Our employment services team provides community-based assessments, work adjustment support, and job coaching through OOD. And our job development specialists work directly with employers in Medina County, Summit County, and Wayne County to match participants with roles that fit their skills and support needs.
If you are receiving SSDI or SSI and are also connected with the Medina County Board of DD, Summit County DD, or OOD, your service coordinator or vocational counselor can help you understand how your Ticket to Work eligibility fits alongside your existing services. In many cases, services can be stacked — with OOD providing vocational rehabilitation while a separate Employment Network provides additional employment support — giving participants access to a broader range of resources than any single program offers alone.
For students transitioning from high school who will soon be receiving SSI, it is worth planning ahead — pre-employment transition services at OneBridge can begin building employment readiness before graduation, so the Ticket to Work program is ready to be activated when it becomes relevant.
Common Questions and Concerns About Ticket to Work
The most common concern we hear from adults considering the Ticket to Work program — and from their families — is the fear of losing benefits. This is understandable. For many people with disabilities, SSDI or SSI is a lifeline, and the risk of losing it feels too high to attempt work. The work incentive provisions described above are specifically designed to address this concern — but they are complex, and understanding them in the context of your specific benefit situation requires individualized guidance.
If fear of benefit loss is holding you or someone in your family back from exploring employment, the single most useful thing you can do is speak with a WIPA benefits counselor who can walk through your specific situation. This is a free service. It does not commit you to anything. And it often reveals that the path to employment is safer than it appeared.
Our post on tips for reentering the workforce with a disability covers the broader context of employment planning for adults with disabilities in Ohio — including how to work with vocational providers, what accommodations to expect, and how to approach the process step by step. Our post on job interview tips for people with disabilities is also worth reading as you get closer to active job searching.
Getting Started in Medina, Ohio
If you receive SSDI or SSI and are interested in exploring employment, the Ticket to Work program is a good place to start the conversation — and OneBridge Center is a good local resource to have in your corner. We serve adults with IDD across Medina County, Summit County, and Wayne County, and we work alongside OOD, County Boards of DD, and Employment Networks to help participants build the skills and connections they need to achieve real employment outcomes.
Schedule a tour of our Medina facility to see our programs in person, or contact us at (330) 267-7556 or info@onebridgecenter.com. You can also visit our FAQ page for common questions about our programs and how to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ticket to Work Program
What is the Ticket to Work program?
The Ticket to Work program is a voluntary Social Security Administration initiative that allows adults aged 18–64 who receive SSDI or SSI benefits to access free employment services — including vocational training, career counseling, job placement, and ongoing support — while protecting their benefits during the transition to work. Participation is optional and can be paused or stopped without penalty.
Who qualifies for the Ticket to Work program in Ohio?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 64 who currently receives SSDI or SSI benefits based on a disability is likely eligible. Eligible beneficiaries are automatically issued tickets by the SSA. You can verify your eligibility by calling the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or visiting choosework.ssa.gov.
Will I lose my disability benefits if I start working through Ticket to Work?
Not immediately, and not automatically. The program includes several work incentive provisions — including the Trial Work Period for SSDI recipients and the Earned Income Exclusion for SSI recipients — designed to give participants a runway to test employment without losing benefits right away. A free WIPA benefits counselor can walk through exactly how these provisions apply to your specific benefit situation before you make any decisions.
How does Ticket to Work connect to OOD services in Ohio?
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is Ohio’s state vocational rehabilitation agency and is an approved Ticket to Work provider. You can assign your ticket to OOD, which then funds vocational rehabilitation services including job skills training, career counseling, and employment placement support. In some cases, individuals can access both OOD services and a separate Employment Network simultaneously for a broader range of support.
Can adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities use the Ticket to Work program?
Yes, if they meet the SSI or SSDI eligibility criteria. Many adults with IDD receive SSI benefits and are therefore eligible for the Ticket to Work program. For those already connected with a County Board of Developmental Disabilities or OOD, the Ticket to Work program can complement existing services rather than replace them. Speak with your service coordinator or a WIPA benefits counselor for guidance specific to your situation.