1. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
Ticket to Work Boot Camp:
Ticket Overview: Integrating Ticket to Work into your Job Center
Hosted/Facilitated by: Miranda Kennedy
Presented by Kevin Nickerson & Mary Lynn ReVoir
NDI Technical Assistance Team Members
Miranda
Fall 2012 Training Series

2. Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks under Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program.
Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in attaining Employment Network status and implementing effective EN operations is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI).
Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation and outcomes as Employment Network will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.
Miranda

3. Learning Objectives Basic understanding of the Ticket to Work Program
Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees
and participants and partners from the public
workforce system will have the following:
Basic understanding of the Ticket to Work Program
Basic knowledge of EN payment structure
Awareness of Employment Network (EN) models and partnerships
Information on next steps and how to apply to become an EN
Miranda

4. Agenda
Background: Challenge Workforce Solutions and Iowa Workforce Experience
What is the Ticket to Work Program?
Ticket to Work Basics
Review of the Ticket to Work payment structure
Employment Network (EN) models and partnerships
What’s my next step? How do we apply?
Miranda
11/7/12 – since Miranda does the Bio, I would recommend we take the next slides and condense them into one or omit.

5. Leading You Forward Challenge Workforce Solutions* Iowa State Partners
Established as EN 2001
EN on behalf of 7 state partners in 2007
1st Ticket in state New York assigned to private EN
255 Tickets Assigned as of 6/30/12
Knowledge of SSA benefits noted as key
Incorporated benefits planning into EN
March, 2007, 2nd EN in Nation to achieve 60th Outcome payment
$211,432 EN revenue generated as of 6/30/12
In 2011, 5 Ticket holders “graduate” from the Ticket program successfully,
Led new state workforce policy for job seekers with disabilities
Current payment status =
65% Outcome / 35% Milestone
45% Outcome / 55% Milestone
Kevin
*Challenge Workforce Solutions, a nonprofit, vocational services organization, was founded in 1968 to offer employment and placement opportunities to individuals who face barriers to employment. 5

6. What is the Ticket to Work Program?
Kevin

7. What is the Ticket to Work Program?
A Social Security Administration Program
Established through the signing of legislation in December 1999, The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
Provides payments to participating Employment Networks for assisting Social Security beneficiary’s in becoming self-sufficient through employment
Kevin

8. What is the Ticket to Work Program?
A program designed to assist Social Security beneficiaries in the return to work through the provision of employment services from public and private providers
Allows Social Security beneficiary’s to receive a Ticket to Work which may be assigned to a participating Employment Network for assistance in achieving their desired vocational goal
Kevin

9. What is the Ticket to Work Program?
The goal:
A Shift:
Self-sufficiency.
Decrease the Ticket Holder’s dependence on their cash benefits by increasing their work effort to substantial gainful activity, and ultimately, to assist Ticket holder in achieving self-sufficiency.
Customer Service.
A shift in how Rehabilitation services are offered, increasing beneficiary choice and customer service
Kevin

10. Choice
EN’s offer another level of choice to Social Security beneficiaries
Increased need for exemplary Customer Service in providing rehabilitation services is important, especially as more EN providers become available VR
MBI EN
SBA
Kevin
This concept is important to remember as you provide services to Ticket Holders, especially as more and more EN’s become available to provide services. Remember that Ticket Holders can choose which EN to work with, so providing exemplary services will develop your reputation as an EN.
Work
Incentives
ITA’s
PASS
Job
Center

11. Ticket to Work Basics
Kevin

12. Useful Terms and Acronyms
APOR
Annual Performance Outcome Report
PII
Personal Identifiable Information
BASS
Beneficiary Access and Support Services
RFQ
Request for Quotation
CDR
Continuing Disability Review
SGA
Substantial Gainful Activity
COS
Certification of Services
SSA
Social Security Administration EN
Employment Network
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance (Title 2)
eProcess
Electronic process for workforce ENs only
SSI
Supplemental Security Income (Title 16)
IEP
Individual Employment Plan
TPR
Timely Progress Review
IWP
Individual Work Plan
TWL
Trial Work Level
OSM
Operations Support Manager
TWP
Trial Work Period PA
(Workforce) Payment Agreement VR
Vocational Rehabilitation agency of the state

13. Ticket to Work Program Basics
November 27, 2018
Ticket to Work Program Basics
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act was passed in 1999 and provided benefits to SSA
Disability beneficiaries & EN’s including:
Yearly cost of living increases for Ticket Payments to EN’s
Two new work incentives
Extended Medicare benefits
Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR)
Medicaid Buy-In Programs
Work Incentive Planning and Assistance projects
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency employment program
Kevin 13 13

14. Ticket to Work Program Basics Cont.
November 27, 2018
Ticket to Work Program Basics Cont.
Creates an opportunity for any entity (other than a Federal Department) to become a Ticket to Work ‘Employment Network’ and begin receiving payments for supporting ‘Ticket Holders’ as they work at increasing their earning capacity.
Ticket Holders are qualified Social Security Disability Beneficiaries ages 18 to 64, receiving Title XVI and/or Title II benefits (SSI or SSDI)
Offers long-term funding to ensure Ticket Holders receive ongoing return to work support.
Funds to the ENs are flexible, and can be used, in part, to support beneficiary needs
Kevin 14 14

15. Ticket to Work – Ticket Holders
November 27, 2018
Ticket to Work – Ticket Holders
This is a voluntary program - as a Ticket Holder, I do not have to participate.
Provides Ticket Holders with CHOICE – as a Ticket Holder, I decide who I assign my Ticket to based upon who I feel can best provide the services I need.
Ensures continued employment support – as a Ticket Holder, I know you will continue to provide me support beyond the time that Vocational Rehabilitation permits in some cases.
Actively participating in the Ticket to Work program suspends a Ticket Holder’s medical Continuing Disability Review – as a Ticket Holder, I can return to work without fear that I will medically improve before I am gainfully employed.
Kevin 15 15

16. Snapshot of Program Overview
1. Beneficiary calls BASS to get information about ENs and services
2. Beneficiary chooses EN and together develop IWP
3. Ticket is assigned and the EN & Beneficiary work on plan
4. Beneficiary earns income sufficient for outcomes or milestones
5. EN is eligible for Ticket payment
Kevin 4 16

17. How does the Ticket program tie into the DEI project strategies?
Having job center as an EN attracts customers who is on SSA disability benefits plus sends strong welcoming message to disability community
Strengthens partnership and collaboration with VR for helps build a responsive service delivery
Promotes use of IRTs which increases successful employment outcomes for customer and job center programs
Contributes to the credit of all programs involved in the employment outcome, WIA, Wagner-Peyser, while also providing new additional revenue to job center
This is a new slide --- we need to connect DEI strategies to the EN. 17

18. How does the Ticket program apply to DEI Youth projects?
“Our DEI project’s focus is on youth and our youth predominantly do not have tickets.”
Tickets are issued to beneficiaries starting at age 18 so double-check on this!
All Workforce ENs are encouraged to serve all ages of Ticket holders, not just those in the youth or adult population they are targeting through the DEI.
“Most of the youth coming into the Job Centers are working with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and VR has their Ticket.”
The use of an Integrated Resource Team (IRT) will not only help your customer, but will allow you to determine if the Ticket holder is a candidate you should serve long- term, through the Partnership Plus model, after VR case closure
The most appropriate, readily available services may initially be VR or it may initially be through the Job Center, especially in states where there is an order of selection (waiting list) for VR services
Remember: Becoming and operating as an Employment Network is a core component of all awarded DEI Projects.
Kevin – note: we will talk about Partnership Plus in a few minutes 18

19. What is all this talk about EN Payments?ML 19

20. Ticket Funding & Other funding sources
Training and Employment Notice No clarifies that Ticket funding is an additional revenue source for Job Center delivery systems and is not considered program income and WILL NOT replace existing funding sources (i.e. funding is in addition to current funding sources, to be used how you see fit)
Braiding Medicaid funded services and Ticket to Work funds is not “double dipping”
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified this recently in a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMD # ), See: 10%20clean.pdf ML 20

21. ML

22. Outcome Payment System
Type
Ticket Holder Earnings
EN Payment for SSDI
EN Payment for SSI
Outcome
Earnings sufficient for “zero” cash benefits status
$719/mo. for up to 36 months
$412/mo. for up to 60 months
Total Possible Outcome Payments
$25,884
$24,720
2012 Rates 22

23. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 1 Milestones
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 1 Milestones
Type
Ticket Holder Earnings
EN Payment for SSDI
EN Payment for SSI
Phase 1
Milestone 1
$720/mo for 1 month (can bill with wages of $360 within a two week period)*
$1,288
Milestone 2
$720/mo for 3 months within 6 months (cumulative)
Milestone 3
$720/mo for 6 months within 12 months (cumulative)
Milestone 4
$720/mo for 9 months within 18 months (cumulative)
Total Potential Phase I Milestone Payments
$5,152 ML
2012 Rates
* Subsequent months must be at TWL 23 23

24. Understanding Phase 1 Payments
There are reasons some, or all of, Phase 1 payments may not be available to an EN:
Recent Work Activity
Work at or above applicable Trial Work level earnings ($720 in 2012) within 18 months “prior to Ticket assignment”
Checkout the 18-Month Prior Earnings Tool to explore a beneficiary recent work history
State VR history with Ticket Holder ML

25. Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Partnership Plus
VR Cost Reimbursement payments and EN Phase 2 Milestone and Outcome payments both possible for same beneficiary
SSA will pay for sequential, but not concurrent, services
When VR chooses to serve a beneficiary under Cost Reimbursement, beneficiary’s Ticket is:
Considered as “in use SVR”
Cannot be assigned to another EN while in use
Extends Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection to beneficiary
Beneficiary can assign Ticket to an EN after VR case closure ML 25 25

26. Partnership Plus: VR Case Closure
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Partnership Plus: VR Case Closure
Phase 1 Milestones not available to EN if VR closed case with beneficiary employed
VR provided services leading to initial efforts at self- supporting employment
SSA can pay EN for Phase 2 Milestones & Outcomes achieved after Ticket assignment for ongoing employment support to retain employment or build career
NOTE: More detailed information about Partnership Plus will be provided in future Ticket to Work training ML 26 26

27. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 2 Payments
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Phase 2 Payments
Type
Ticket Holder Earnings
EN Payment for SSDI
EN Payment for SSI
Phase 2
Gross > SGA
($1010/non-blind; $1,690 for blind)
$387/mo. (up to 11 mos.)
$222/mo. (up to 18 mos.)
Total Phase 2 Payments
$4,257
$3,996
Total Potential Ticket Payments Phases 1 and 2
$9,409
$9,148
Kevin
2012Rates 27 27

28. Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Outcome Payments
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Milestone-Outcome Payment System: Outcome Payments
Type
Ticket Holder Earnings
EN Payment for SSDI
EN Payment for SSI
Outcome Phase
Net > SGA ($1010/non-blind; $1,690 /blind) AND 0 Federal cash benefits
$387/mo. for up to 36 months
$222/mo. for up to 60 months
Total Outcome Phase Payments
$13,932
$13,220
Total Potential Ticket Payments
$23,341
$22,468
Kevin
2012 Rates 28 28

29. Will becoming an EN help me with individuals that can only work part-time?
NOTE: Based on the clear direction provided recently by SSA, an EN should NOT assign a Ticket if the Beneficiary has no intention of, or ability to, work at a level that would eventually allow them to successfully leave the benefits roles
It is often the case that Ticket holders will return to work part-time, however, with the goal of moving toward full-time, self-supporting work
Should a beneficiary start with part-time work, as is sometimes the case, this can qualify an EN for initial Phase 1 Milestone payments
Example: Joe is an SSI recipient, and works 20 hours/week and makes $8.50/hour, monthly average wage=$736
This example would qualify your EN for Phase 1 Milestone payments
Kevin

30. Milestone Reconciliation Payment
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Milestone Reconciliation Payment
Occurs when Beneficiary moves quickly into the Outcome Payment Period
Includes all Milestones “available” at time of first Ticket assignment that remain “unpaid” due to the start of the Outcome payment period
Reconciliation payment made when 12th Outcome payment is achieved
This payment does not need to be requested, Maximus will determine the amount owed to the EN after the 12th Outcome is achieved
Kevin 30 30

31. Requesting Ticket Payments
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Requesting Ticket Payments
Three options for requesting payment:
1. Evidentiary Payment Request (EPR)
-- Requires primary evidence of earnings
2. Certification Payment Request (CPR)
-- Uses secondary evidence of earnings
3. Workforce e-Process, e-Pay
-- Available to Workforce ENs only, and provides automated payments from Milestone 1 through Outcomes
NOTE: Billing options will be covered in detail in subsequent trainings, and are also covered by the Operations Support Manager (OSM), through Ticket Tuesday Training opportunities
Kevin
ML – Is there more detail than what they need to know at this point? 31 31

32. Benefits of becoming an EN include:
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Benefits of becoming an EN include:
Increase your bottom line - Get paid for the work you are already doing
Ticket payments are your own to use as you wish. National research at job centers indicate job centers have potential to generate EN funds to partially or fully sustain DRC positions. EN funds could also support service gaps, additional training funds, etc.
Generous funding stream – $23, 341 (SSDI) and $22,468 (SSI) per successful beneficiary who achieves all payments
Kevin 32 32

33. Q & A To ask a question/make a comment please:
click on the “raised hand icon” OR
submit via the Q&A panel
Note: Both are located on the right hand toolbar 33

34. Employment Network (EN) Models
Funds through the Ticket program are flexible, to use as you wish, and so are the Business Models you may consider in developing your Employment Network
The following are examples of strategies found in various locations across the U.S.
Kevin

35. Local Level Strategy
STATE VR
Partnership
Plus
Job Center / EN
Job Center/ EN
This example shows a collaborative web allowing for referral and mentoring efforts amongst separate EN’s
Ideally, State Vocational Rehabilitation provides information about all EN options when closing a case for consumers to receive ongoing support from EN
Each EN (WIB) completes a separate application to operate as an independent EN
For DEI grantees, this model would include the Workforce Investment Board as the EN of record, per the Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA)
Kevin
This simply shows the option of each separate program choosing to become an EN, hopefully, working together with other private EN’s to learn from each other, and to provide referrals to each other when appropriate.

36. Collaborative Agreement Strategy
EN of record –
Has submitted EN application, In
this example, the local Workforce
Investment Board (WIB)
WIB has Local agreement
with Community Rehabilitation
Provider (CRP) to provide Long-Term
supports to Ticket holders
Ticket Holder receives up front
Job placement supports from Job
Center, and Long-Term supports
from CRP
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Partnership Plus
Specific Advantage of collaboration with Community Rehabilitation Provider: Job Center can focus on job matching and placement services only.
Advantages: Sharing of information & resources, staffing and community outreach
Kevin
This is an example showing a local agreement, the model employed in Tompkins County. This gets One Stops in the mix, without the need to handle the administrative function of operating an EN (ie billing & tracking, etc.) This is just one of many ways a local agreement can look, each local area may adjust this agreement according to their need.

37. Providers of Employment Services become vendors under the AEN umbrella
State Administrative Employment Network (AEN)
State Department(s)
Note:
Could be one,
or a partnership of
State Departments
Community
Rehab
Provider
Workforce
Investment
Board
STATE VR
Partnership Plus
Boar
Example: 20% of payments for administrative functions (i.e. billing / marketing) kept by State AEN, which is also the EN of Record
Example: 80% of payments go to providers per written agreement with State AEN
Payments divided amongst providers based on services to Ticket holders that lead to EN payments
Providers of Employment Services become vendors under the AEN umbrella
Kevin

38. Next Steps in Becoming an Employment Network (EN)ML

39. Becoming an Employment Network
All Employment Networks need a signed formal contract/agreement with Social Security Administration
This is a federal contract/agreement and the EN needs to maintain in compliance
DOL funded Workforce Agencies have 2 Options to apply: Payment Agreement (PA) or Request for Quotation (RFQ) ML
So how do you become part of the program
It Involves filling out a simple form called a Request for Quotation called an RFQ or agreeing to and signing Payments Agreement (PA), which is only available to DOL funded workforce agencies. 39

40. Components required of All ENs
Ticket To Work
November 27, 2018
Components required of All ENs
Must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Tax ID #
Must have general business or professional liability insurance in effect (minimum of $500,000 per occurrence)
Must have a DUNS number (contact Dun & Bradstreet at or apply online at
You must register with the System for Award Management (SAM)
The EN responsible update annually.
There is no charge.
Formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) ML
SAM is the primary registrant database for all Federal Government contractors
Every EN contractor must register their DUNS number, enter their banking information, and complete their Representations and Certifications in the SAM 40 40

41. Request for Quotation (RFQ)
The method available to ALL agencies to become an Employment Network; option for workforce.
The EN Request for Quotation (RFQ) can be found at:
Download and complete on your computer
The most recent RFQ release date as of this training, is 8/27/2012
The RFQ provides detailed instructions about action required. You will be submitting the RFQ electronically to SSA.

42. Payment Agreement (PA)
The method available only to DOL funded workforce agencies to become an Employment Network.
Became available in October, 2012.
Can be obtained from TA Liaison or OSM.
You will be submitting the signed PA electronically to SSA. ML

43. What if I have questions regarding
the EN application?
For RFQ ---- Help is available through SSA’s Employment Network Contracts Team
For PA ---- Help is available through SSA’s PA staff
Note: Additional training on “Completing the Application to Become an EN” will be made available by the DEI TA team on December 13. ML 43

44. As an EN… Once you become an Employment Network, the
Operations Support Manager (OSM) for the Ticket to
Work program will:
Handle the process for assigning & un-assigning Tickets
Maintain the list of approved ENs
Process Ticket payments
Conduct timely progress reviews
Staff an EN Help Desk
Provide training & technical assistance to ENs
Visit the Ticket to Work website at ML 44

45. Ticket to Work Resources:
Visit SSA’s Work Site ww.socialsecurity.gov/work
Visit Ticket to Work website
Visit the Beneficiary Access & Support Services (BASS) website to view beneficiary success story and workforce EN:
video.html
You can also find archives of all DEI Ticket/EN trainings and related resources on the DEI website at: ML 45

46. Next Steps
If your Job Center(s) and/or state Department of Labor is not currently an Employment Network (EN), the NDI TA Team will be providing information on options for applying to become an EN in December 13, 2012, which will be repeated again in January 2013.
A series of upcoming trainings starting in early 2013 will provide key information and proven strategies, and showcase promising practices already in use among existing Workforce ENs, to integrate EN operations into your Job Centers and other DEI project objectives.
Stay Tuned!!!
Miranda

47. Contact Information
Kevin Nickerson NDI Technical Assistance Team Phone: (607) Ext. 136 Mary Lynn ReVoir Phone: (515)
Miranda