The Ticket to Work Program: Navigating the Journey Between Social Security Benefits and a Return to the Workforce

The Social Security Administration provides millions of Americans with a consistent source of income and financial stability. These cash payments are vital for those unable to work due to an injury or illness, or for workers who have retired after many years in the workforce. There are additional protections and incentives that come with receiving Social Security payments, particularly for the 8.7 million disabled workers and their dependents – including children and spouses – who receive benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, program. Understanding how SSDI and returning to work fit together can make all the difference for beneficiaries considering re-entering the workforce.

Through the Social Security Disability Insurance program, beneficiaries can take advantage of the incentives the Ticket to Work Program offers. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 was signed into law by President Bill Clinton to launch incentives to help beneficiaries transition back into the workforce when the time is right. The goal of the program is to allow individuals to return to work and become financially self-sufficient.  It was created to account for the different pathways each individual will take to get there.

There is a lot to consider when returning to work and much to know about the Ticket to Work program. Navigating SSDI and returning to work doesn’t have to be complicated once you understand the rules in place to protect your benefits. For example, did you know you can continue receiving cash benefits when you return to work from disability? Or that you can keep your healthcare coverage? We’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked questions related to Ticket to Work to provide answers as you begin your return to work journey!

Can I Work and Still Receive my Social Security Benefits?

Yes! Social Security established the Trial Work Period to help evaluate an individual’s ability to engage in full-time work as they head toward self-sufficiency. This Trial Work Period consists of a nine-month rolling period, within 60 months, in which an SSDI beneficiary can work and earn any amount of money without impacting their SSDI eligibility or cash benefits. It is important to note that these months do not need to be consecutive, allowing beneficiaries to take their time with their return.

Once beneficiaries have completed their nine-month Trial Work Period, they move into a three-year Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The EPE starts the month after the Trial Work Period ends and continues for the next 36 months. During this time, cash benefits continue for any month when countable earned income is less than the current Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. When countable wages exceed the SGA level, Social Security will plan to suspend benefits, but will allow a grace period for the beneficiary to receive a check for that month and for the two months following. Cash benefits will be reinstated if the beneficiary’s countable earnings fall below the SGA limit during the remaining months of the EPE again.

Will my Healthcare Coverage Remain Intact if I Return to Work?

Yes! Should an individual’s SSDI benefits end as a result of work and earnings, but they continue to be impacted by impairments(Social Security’s strict criteria for disability), Medicare coverage may continue for at least an additional seven and a half years. SSDI beneficiaries are entitled to continue their Medicare coverage through the entire Trial Work Period and for at least 93 months following their last Trial Work month. This means that SSDI beneficiaries who go to work can keep their Medicare coverage for at least 102 months! During this period, Part A hospital coverage is automatic and premium-free (for most beneficiaries), while Part B outpatient coverage is optional and subject to premium payment.

What Happens if I Start Working but am Unable to Continue?

The Extended Period of Eligibility afforded to beneficiaries after they complete their full nine-month Trial Work Period protects their SSDI eligibility for 36 months. Within the three-year Extended Period of Eligibility, individuals whose benefits ended due to work and earnings can restart cash payments without filing a new application.  In this instance, the beneficiary will only need to file a request for reinstatement of benefits, saving them months, if not years, of waiting for benefits to begin again. This Expedited Reinstatement can also provide beneficiaries up to six months of provisional benefits while the request is pending to help bridge the gap between ending work and the full reinstatement of SSDI benefits.

Taking the Next Step

Returning to the workforce after an absence can be an important part of an individual’s journey. When it comes to balancing SSDI and returning to work, having the right information and support system in place is essential. 

At Advocator Advantage, we’ve witnessed firsthand the many intrinsic benefits that returning to work offers individuals, including improvements in quality of life and financial independence. If returning to work sounds like it might be the right fit for you, the Ticket to Work program should be your next step!