The Ticket Program is an outcome-based program offering participating service providers financial compensation for successfully assisting Social Security disability beneficiaries to enter, maintain and advance in employment.

• Most individuals receiving benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs based on disability are eligible to participate.
• Qualified service providers apply to Social Security to be approved as Employment Networks (EN).
• State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies may choose, on a case-by-case basis, between serving beneficiaries under the VR Cost Reimbursement program or the Ticket Program.

Eligible beneficiaries choose whether or when to participate, and where to use their Tickets. Ticket use is tracked through a Ticket assignment process that requires participating providers to register the completion of Individual Work Plans (IWPs) with the Ticket Program Manager (TPM). The Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) developed by State VR agencies in partnership with beneficiaries they serve function as their service plan for purposes of the Ticket Program.

Participating service providers receive financial compensation from Social Security when the beneficiaries for whom they have Ticket assignments, achieve predetermined milestones and outcomes associated with work and earnings. Thus, unlike most other publicly-funded employment programs, the Ticket Program does not provide reimbursement for the cost of services provided. The ultimate goal of the services provided under the program is to assist beneficiaries to achieve economic self-support through sustained work with earnings at or above the amount the Social Security designates annually as Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA.