Becoming an EN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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A: If you already provide employment services and supports to individuals with disabilities, it is likely that some of your existing clients are beneficiaries who are eligible for the Ticket Program. By supporting these individuals as an EN, you can receive a revenue source that can complement other funding sources and easily integrate into your current service model. The funding is unrestricted, allowing for great flexibility in how ENs can use the income. As an EN, when your clients work and achieve earnings at certain levels, the revenue your organization earns is unrestricted. It can be used for an unlimited range of purposes based on the needs of your organization.
With an expanded client base and a new, unrestricted revenue source, you can develop a business model that matches your organizational goals and expands your reach and impact. Further, as an EN, you can be well-positioned to develop and enhance relationships with key stakeholders, including State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.
A: ENs must have the following items with records that match the applicant name listed in the RFA:
Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service by calling 800-829-4933 or online at www.irs.gov.
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number: This 9-digit number is the Federal Government Contractor Identification code. The DUNS number may be obtained free from Dun & Bradstreet by calling 866-705-5711 or online at www.dnb.com.
System for Award Management (SAM) registration: You must have an active registration in SAM and update it annually. Register for free at www.sam.gov with the following:
- DUNS Number, legal business name, and physical address from your Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) record
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Taxpayer Name associated with your TIN
- Bank account information to set up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
A: Social Security uses many methods to connect beneficiaries with ENs, including national webinars, social media, phone and text messaging, and various targeted notices and materials. Ticketholders are encouraged to contact the Ticket to Work Help Line toll-free at 1-866-968-7842, (1-866-833-2967 TTY). Beneficiaries may also use the Find Help online tool to research or contact a variety of ENs.
The Ticket Program also offers an EN Guide to Marketing and Workbook to support the research, planning, execution and evaluation of an EN’s marketing efforts. Further, the Ticket Program also provides a Service Provider Outreach Toolkit to support the outreach and marketing efforts of ENs to promote the program to Ticketholders and disability-focused organizations. The Toolkit includes factsheets, sample press releases, sample program language, success stories and program branding standards.
Initial training for ENs includes marketing and outreach training as part of the EN onboarding process. Training includes information about creating social media pages and websites and developing other outreach methods. In addition, Social Security distributes sample social media messaging that ENs can use to raise awareness of Ticket Program events and announcements.