Watch "Carla's Story" - Carla Cooper didn't let disability stand in the way of success. She used the state's Ticket to Work program to help, graduating from the Merriman Culinary School at the St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury. Carla now has a job she loves, working with young people in city schools. Video by Jay Dunn.
Ticket to Work
Guide
Program Details
Ticket to Work is a program authorized by the Social Security Administration to provide employment services to most people receiving Social Security SSI and SSDI disability benefits.
Beneficiaries may choose to assign their tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services and other support services necessary to achieve a work goal. The EN (such as the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board), if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment.
As a beneficiary, you can work whether you are in the Ticket to Work program or not. However, assigning your ticket to an Employment Network such as NRWIB significantly increases your chances of getting and keeping a job.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be:
- Age 18 through 64
- Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
How to Apply
Many people are interested in working but worry about how it might affect their benefits. Questions often arise about available job training, potential work opportunities, and support resources.
We can help! Our Ticket to Work coordinator, Rukiya Borges, MS, is a certified benefits counselor ready to assist you. Contact her at 203-574-6971 ext. 442 or via email at [email protected] to learn more. The program is free and voluntary.
Visit https://choosework.ssa.gov/about to find out more, or speak with a representative through the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
We know making ends meet can be challenging. While the Ticket to Work Program may not suit everyone, it’s a great option for those physically and mentally able to work, offering financial benefits and the personal satisfaction of full-time employment.
The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, an authorized Social Security Ticket to Work Employment Network since 2014, assists both employers and job seekers at no cost. Contact us for a consultation. If you're enrolled in the state BRS ticket program, consider assigning your ticket to us after completing BRS services.
Meet the Team
Name
Rukiya Borges, MS
Title
Special Grants Program Supervisor
Phone
203-574-6971 ext. 442
Email