Ticket to Work
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that connects SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries ages 18-64 with a nationwide network of Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies for employment support services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ticket to Work does
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary federal employment support program established in 1999 under the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act and administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), an independent agency of the U.S. government. The program serves adults ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and want to move toward financial independence through work. It coordinates access to a nationwide network of authorized service providers — including Employment Networks (ENs), State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects, and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organizations — that deliver career counseling, job placement, benefits counseling, training coordination, and ongoing employment support at no cost to participants.
The program's core technology is not a proprietary product but a coordination and content infrastructure built around the choosework.ssa.gov website, the Find Help provider directory, the Ticket to Work Help Line (1-866-968-7842) with TTY support, monthly WISE (Work Incentives Seminar Event) webinars, SMS subscriptions, email updates via GovDelivery, and official social media channels on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Participation is structured through an Individual Work Plan (with ENs) or Individualized Plan for Employment (with VR agencies), and is reinforced by statutory Work Incentives such as the 9-month Trial Work Period, the Extended Period of Medicare Coverage of at least 93 months, and Continued Medicaid Eligibility under Section 1619B. The "Your Path to Work" four-phase educational framework guides beneficiaries from initial Ticket exploration through job management.
The business model is taxpayer-funded appropriations rather than commercial revenue: the program charges no fees to participants, generates no revenue in the traditional sense, and operates with a central administrative headcount of 11. Economic value flows through outcomes-based milestone and outcome payments made by SSA to authorized Employment Networks and VR agencies for beneficiaries who achieve sustained earnings, rather than through user pricing. The service is delivered across all 50 U.S. states and territories, and outreach is event-driven, with the Help Line, webinars, blog, and text subscriptions serving as the primary demand-generation channels.
Ticket to Work firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ticket to Work
- Legal name
- Social Security Administration - Ticket to Work Program
- Website
- https://choosework.ssa.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that connects SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries ages 18-64 with a nationwide network of Employment Networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies for employment support services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ticket to Work industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Employment Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits (BPAIAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Ticket to Work is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ticket to Work business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Program: Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary employment support program funded by the Social Security Administration. The program does not generate revenue; it is a taxpayer-funded initiative administered by the federal government to help disability beneficiaries achieve financial independence through work.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Program for Eligible Beneficiaries |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ticket to Work product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that connects Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries ages 18-64 with authorized service providers including Employment Networks (ENs), State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects, and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organizations. The program delivers free career counseling, job placement assistance, benefits counseling, resume and interview preparation, training coordination, and workplace accommodation support while protecting beneficiaries' disability benefits and Medicare/Medicaid coverage during the transition to employment.
Product overview
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that provides a coordinated set of employment support services for disability beneficiaries. The core offering consists of the Ticket to Work Program itself, which connects beneficiaries ages 18-64 (receiving SSDI/SSI) with authorized service providers including Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies. Additional services include WISE (Work Incentives Seminar Events) webinars, the Find Help provider search tool, the Help Line, and text/email update subscriptions. WIPA projects provide specialized benefits counseling, while PABSS offers legal advocacy support. The program is structured around Individual Work Plans (for ENs) or Individualized Plans for Employment (for VR agencies) and includes the 'Your Path to Work' educational framework with four phases from initial exploration through job management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WISE (Work Incentives Seminar Events): Free monthly online webinars hosted by Social Security to help beneficiaries learn about the Ticket to Work Program and other Social Security Work Incentives.
- Find Help Tool
Products and services
- Ticket to Work Program A free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that supports career development for adults ages 18-64 receiving SSDI/SSI disability benefits who want to work. The program connects beneficiaries with authorized service providers for employment support, career counseling, job placement assistance, training, and benefits coordination while protecting their cash benefits and Medicare/Medicaid coverage during the transition to work.
- Find Help Tool An online search tool that helps beneficiaries locate authorized Ticket to Work service providers in their area, including Employment Networks, State VR agencies, WIPA projects, and PABSS organizations, with filters for services offered, languages spoken, and disabilities served.
- Employment Networks (EN) Private or public organizations authorized by Social Security that deliver career counseling, job placement assistance, and ongoing support to help Ticket Program participants prepare for, find, keep, and advance in employment.
- State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies State agencies providing intensive employment services including training, education, medical rehabilitation, durable medical equipment, vehicle modification, career counseling, job placement assistance, and benefits counseling for individuals needing significant support to return to work.
- Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) Projects Social Security-funded organizations that provide free, in-depth benefits counseling to eligible beneficiaries through Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs), explaining how work will affect Social Security, healthcare, and other public benefits.
- Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE) Free monthly online webinars hosted by Social Security that help beneficiaries, their families, and service providers learn about the Ticket to Work Program and other Social Security Work Incentives, with ASL interpretation available via FCC Video Relay Service.
- Ticket to Work Help Line A free phone helpline (1-866-968-7842 voice; 1-866-833-2967 TTY) staffed Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, providing program information, eligibility verification, and connections to authorized service providers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Beneficiaries can test their ability to work for 9 months (Trial Work Period) while receiving full benefits including Medicare
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ticket to Work
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Ticket to Work technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ticket to Work partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Employment Networks (EN)corePrivate or public organizations authorized by Social Security Administration to provide employment support services to Ticket Program participants. ENs offer career counseling, job placement assistance, and ongoing support to help beneficiaries prepare for, find, and maintain employment.
- State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) AgenciescoreState government agencies that provide intensive employment services including training, education, medical rehabilitation, career counseling, and job placement assistance. Work with individuals who need significant services to return to work or work for the first time.
- Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) ProjectscoreSocial Security-funded organizations providing free benefits counseling to eligible disability beneficiaries. Staffed by Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) who provide individualized counseling about working, earnings effects on benefits, and Work Incentives.
- Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)coreOrganizations that represent eligible beneficiaries to remove barriers to successful employment. Help beneficiaries understand their rights regarding conditions of employment and provide legal support for disability-related employment concerns.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Video Relay ServiceminorFCC VRS is used to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for WISE webinars, making the program accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing beneficiaries who use ASL.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ticket to Work competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AbilityOne Program: Federal program that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, similar to Ticket to Work's focus on connecting disability beneficiaries with employment through authorized providers and federal contracting.
- State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies: Federally-funded state agencies that provide vocational rehabilitation, training, and job placement for individuals with disabilities — the same provider network that Ticket to Work routes beneficiaries to and that operates under Rehabilitation Services Administration oversight.
- SourceAmerica: Nonprofit authorized by the federal government to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through the AbilityOne program, providing job placement and career support similar to Ticket to Work service providers.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): Nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind, operating manufacturing and service businesses that employ individuals with disabilities, comparable to Ticket to Work's mission of connecting disability beneficiaries with sustainable employment.
- Department of Veterans Affairs - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E): Federal employment support program offering vocational rehabilitation, training, and job placement for veterans with service-connected disabilities, structurally similar to Ticket to Work in delivering employment services to a defined federal disability population.
Broad incumbents
- Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment and job training programs for people with disabilities and veterans, often operating as an Employment Network under the Ticket to Work program.
- Goodwill Industries International: Major nonprofit operating employment programs, job training, and placement services specifically for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment — comparable to the Employment Network model within Ticket to Work.
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs / American Job Centers: Larger federal workforce development system that, like Ticket to Work, provides employment services and training, but serves a broader population beyond just SSDI/SSI disability beneficiaries, including low-income adults and dislocated workers.
Emerging players
- National Disability Institute: National nonprofit focused on financial empowerment and employment for people with disabilities, providing benefits counseling, financial education, and workforce development resources that overlap with Ticket to Work's WIPA counseling function.
Others
- Ticket to Work Employment Networks (ENs): Private and public organizations authorized by SSA to provide Ticket to Work employment services; they are both the program's delivery partners and the closest operational peers in delivering career counseling and job placement to SSDI/SSI beneficiaries.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ticket to Work social profiles
Digital presenceTicket to Work financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ticket to Work leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ticket to Work funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ticket to Work M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ticket to Work
What does Ticket to Work do?
Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security Administration program that connects Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries ages 18-64 with authorized service providers including Employment Networks (ENs), State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) projects, and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organizations. The program delivers free career counseling, job placement assistance, benefits counseling, resume and interview preparation, training coordination, and workplace accommodation support while protecting beneficiaries' disability benefits and Medicare/Medicaid coverage during the transition to employment.
Is Ticket to Work a public or private company?
Ticket to Work is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ticket to Work founded?
Ticket to Work was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ticket to Work based?
Ticket to Work is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ticket to Work make money?
One revenue line is on record: government-Funded Program.
Who are Ticket to Work's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AbilityOne Program, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies, SourceAmerica, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and Department of Veterans Affairs - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). Broad incumbents are Easterseals, Goodwill Industries International and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs / American Job Centers. National Disability Institute is listed as an emerging player. Ticket to Work Employment Networks (ENs) is listed as an others.
Does Ticket to Work have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ticket to Work.
What industry is Ticket to Work in?
Ticket to Work's product category is Disability Employment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAKAB, Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits, with a secondary code of EDAAAOAI, Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 7361.