Insights into the Ticket to Work Program By Edward Hazel The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act of 1999, was an insightful move by the Clinton Administration that encouraged SSA Disability beneficiaries to return to the workforce without jeopardizing the loss of Social Security Disability benefits over a predetermine trial period of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The Ticket to Work proposition offers a "card" or voucher to working-aged (18 through 64) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients to obtain employment and other support services. These services are in the current system of state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies such as ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services) and others. Beginning January 1, 2001, the TTWP was orchestrated nationally into three stages over a three-year term that was to be completed by January 2004. The SSA contracts with program managers (PM) who oversees program objectives related to employee networks (EN) and ticket holders. Significant changes in the TTWP directory came about in 2008, including increased financial incentives for ENs and fewer restrictions on beneficiary eligibility. "The monthly amount of total earnings for 2016 for statutorily blind individuals is $1820 and for non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2016 is $1130. (http://ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/sga.). My name is Edward Hazel, and I support the Ticket to Work Program (TTWP). As a person with a disability since 1975, I recognize the importance of monthly Social Security Disability checks and the security of having medical insurance from Medicare or Medicaid. When I lost my SSDI benefits in 1976 due to working as a dishwasher and a busboy, I vowed not to work again. However, in 2006, the Ticket to Work Program gave me renewed confidence in the system and enhanced my desire for independence once again through meaningful employment. I graduated, with honors with an Associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Tompkins Cortland Community College in 2012, and I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and also listed in Who's Who of Students in Colleges and Universities. I founded and served as president of the first successful Active Minds Chapter in a two-year community college called Active Minds @ TC3. I do not share this information with you as a means of personal gain or for notoriety. I relate to you these things so as to inspire SSDI and SSI recipients to overcome your personal barriers and experience the success and accomplishments you were meant to in life. As stated, according to the SGA a non-blind person can earn up to $1130 a month without compromising monthly SSDI benefits. In an attempt for further clarification how monthly earnings above the SGA accumulate. Hypothetically speaking, suppose my monthly earnings between January and June were more than $1130 and also the following September. Therefore, for each month, January, June, and September, etc. of excessive earnings accumulate over five-year trial period reaching a total of nine months of accumulated earnings above the SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity). By successfully completing nine months of gains more than the SGA, monthly SSDI, and SSI benefits will be put on hold, but not terminated, and may be eligible for reinstatement. Recently, I participated in a class called Social Policy Analysis in which my topic was the Ticket to Work Program. As instructed, I proposed as a method in which to increase SSDI and SSI participation by reducing student loan upon the completion/graduation from an accredited college or vocational school as means for employment. Although ACCES-VR has made a substantial financial contribution toward my education, I have depleted the limit of educational support thereby relying on student loans to complete my education. The primary function of the TTWP is to equip SSDI and SSI beneficiaries with the means to become self-sufficient and independent from Social Security Disability Benefits. If indeed that is the primary purpose, it would be helpful to implement policy that would decrease student loan debt and increase the likelihood for SSA independence.