As you transition from school to the workforce, becoming a successful and independent adult means learning not only the professional skills you'll need on the job, but also skills you'll use in your daily life.

While your family plays a huge role in teaching you these skills, there are resources available to help you fill in the gaps. Life skills include specific tasks like cooking and navigating public transit to larger skills like effective communication and working in a team.

Today we're looking at resources for some of the first steps toward successful, independent living.

Managing Your Benefits and Making a Budget

After you graduate from high school, you may begin to manage your own money, including your Social Security disability benefits for the first time. If you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as a minor, Social Security will review your eligibility for continued benefits once you turn 18 years old. This medical review is called the "age-18 redetermination." To learn more about this and other important disability benefit qualifications for transitioning youth, check out What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18. At age 18, you are also eligible to create a my Social Security account. It's a free and secure way to see your long-term projected benefits and manage the benefits you currently receive.

Once you have a better understanding of how much monthly income you'll receive, the next step is to take stock of your monthly expenses and create a budget. The key to a good budget is to include all expenses you may encounter throughout the month, even if you don't have them every month.

For example, some bills are the same every month, like rent or transportation fees. Other bills fluctuate from month to month, like utilities or groceries. Then there are expenses that may or may not appear throughout the month, like clothing, haircuts or technology upgrades.

In the beginning, you may find that you need to adjust your budget. You can make some categories bigger or eliminate them all together. By tracking your spending habits and adjusting those habits to stay within your budget, you can save for larger, long-term spending goals.

If you receive SSI, there are limits on things you can own, including how much money you can keep in a savings account. Social Security calls these "resources." Being aware of resource limits can help you manage your budget and plan for savings while maintaining your disability benefits. Social Security also offers a variety of Work Incentives to help you transition to the workforce and keep your Medicare or Medicaid and, in some cases, keep some or all of your benefits payment— all while helping you find your path toward financial independence.

 It may seem like a lot, but don't worry, Social Security has people ready to help! Working with a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) at a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is a great place to start. If you are age 14-25 and receive SSDI or SSI benefits, you are eligible doe WIPA services even if you are not currently seeking employment. Adding a CWIC to your team means you have a professional benefits counselor ready to explain how earning money and working may affect your benefit.

To find a WIPA project that’s the right fit for you, visit our Find Help tool.

Finding a New Balance in Life

If you're planning to head straight into the workforce or a work training program, like an apprenticeship, you may hear the phrase work-life balance. But what does that mean and how can you find it?

It’s about time management and understanding your limits. Working can demand a lot of you, physically, mentally and emotionally. Looking after yourself and your health should remain a top priority.

Set limits by making your daily goals manageable. If your plate becomes too full, reach out to a supervisor for help reprioritizing your tasks. Make sure to take time away from work to take care of yourself. Establishing a daily routine is one way to make sure you're accomplishing work tasks as well as personal responsibilities like housework or self-care.

Developing a Good Support System

As school comes to a close, many young adults find themselves away from friends and family for the first time. Creating a new support system can help you find success and happiness while you live a more independent lifestyle.

Your support system can include people who help you grow professionally like mentors or co-workers. People who may understand the specific struggles you’re facing, like classmates or fellow volunteers, can help as you deal with those challenges. New friends from your volunteer work or other social activities can help you find passions that bring you joy.

Building a strong support system helps improve your social wellness and can be an important part of maintaining good mental and emotional health.

How can Ticket to Work help?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or be successful while you are working.

The Ticket Program can connect you with service providers who offer a wide variety of employment services to people with disabilities in all stages of their employment journey, including preparing to enter the workforce for the first time.

In this blog post, we touched on the basics of some important life skills for living independently, but this is only the beginning. Connect with a service provider today to find the additional support you may need to help you achieve your goals on the path to financial independence through work.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

Ready to work but not sure where to start? If you're searching for support on your path to work, you're in the right place. Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help you reach your employment goals!

The Ticket Program is a good fit for people who want to improve their earning potential and are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workforce. It connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job and be successful at work.

Am I Qualified?

The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. If you qualify for this free and voluntary program, you will work with service providers to receive the supports and services you need to find and maintain employment.

Where Do I Start?

If you decide to participate, getting started is easy! First, give the Ticket to Work Help Line a call. Our customer service representatives will explain how the program works and answer your questions or address concerns you might have and send you a list of service providers who can help.

You can also use the Find Help tool to get a customized list of providers that are available to help you. Learn more about how to choose a service provider that's right for you at Your Path to Work: Ready to Work.

The next step is deciding what kind of service provider is right for you. Authorized Ticket Program service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, provide services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, job placement assistance and training. The service provider you choose will serve as an important part of your "employment team" to help you on your journey to financial independence.

Depending on your needs, you may choose to work with either an EN or your state VR agency. This worksheet provides important questions for you to consider when making your decision.

Concerned about long-term support? Many people find they need continued support once the state VR agency closes their case. That's where an EN may be able to help by providing the continued support you need. This arrangement, known as Partnership Plus, can help you make a smooth transition to your new working life.  

With Ticket to Work, there's always someone in your corner. Finding and maintaining employment can feel like a complicated journey, but you don't have to do it alone.

What's Next?

Ready to get started on your path to employment? Here are some actions you can take right now to learn more about the Ticket Program and other Social Security's Work Incentives:

1. Learn more about Social Security Work Incentives available to you.
2. Read our Frequently Asked Questions about the Ticket Program.
3. View success stories of beneficiaries who have used the Ticket Program to improve their lives and achieve financial independence.
4. Sign up for a free WISE Webinar to learn more about the Ticket Program and other Work Incentives.

5. Opt in to receive information via text about the Ticket Program by texting the word "TICKET" to 1-571-489-5292. You can opt out at any time.

   Opt in to receive information via text about the Ticket Program by texting the word "TICKET" to 1-571-489-5292. You can opt out at any time.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. Whether they're in-person or online, job fairs let you engage with potential employers and learn about job openings.

If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

AbilityJobs

AbilityJobs offers specific online resources for job seekers with disabilities. Accessibility features offer you the opportunity to connect with employers using an American Sign Language interpreter, screen reader or other accommodations. This job fair website also offers online face-to-face interviews with recruiters. Learn more about AbilityJobs' job fairs and how to attend.

CareerEco Virtual Career Fairs

Many organizations list their events on CareerEco. Check out their full calendar for a list of their virtual events.

Diversity Career Group

Diversity Career group focuses their career and job fairs on connecting employers and job seekers through sit-down conversations and even first-round job interviews. Check out the full calendar.  

• August 12: Greater Los Angeles Career Fair - Virtual Job Fair
• August 19: Dallas Career Fair - Virtual Job Fair
• August 26: Denver Career Fair - Virtual Job Fair

Equal Opportunity Publications

Equal Opportunity Publications (EOP) offers a variety of diversity recruitment resources, including national online career magazines, virtual job boards, and career fairs for minority groups and people with disabilities. Check out EOP's career expos page for a list of events.

RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.  For a listing of all RecruitMilitary virtual events, visit their calendar.

• August 5: Philadelphia Veterans Job Fair
• August 10: Central Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
• August 19: Detroit Veterans Job Fair
• August 26: New York Veterans Job Fair

About Ticket to Work

There's a lot to consider when job searching, and it can be tough trying to do everything on your own. Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working.

Finding a Job

The resources on the Ticket to Work Find a Job page can also help as you start or continue your job search. For more comprehensive support, we recommend using the Find Help tool to find a service provider that can offer personalized assistance. The Find a Job webpage includes a chart that you can use to compare the features that the various organizations provide, such as job boards, resume services and social networking opportunities. Some of the organizations also offer an employer directory and access to recruiters.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

Whether you're looking for a job or already have one, if you're one of more than 50 million U.S. adults who live with a mental illness, the workplace can be a challenging environment. Searching for the right job can take several tries. Once in the workforce, you may worry about being treated differently by an employer or coworker or fear losing your job if you choose to disclose your disability. The good news is that you have rights.

For three decades, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has opened doors for people with disabilities, protecting them from discrimination in all areas of their daily lives, including the workplace. Whether you have an observable disability or an invisible one, this law helps you access the same employment opportunities and benefits as individuals without disabilities. Not only are you protected from discrimination based on your disability, you may also be able to seek reasonable accommodations so that you can participate in the job application process, perform the essential functions of a job or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities.

Mental Health in the Workplace

Your mental health, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being, can affect how you think, feel and act. Your mental health also affects your responses to stress and how you interact with others at work. Similar to people with physical disabilities and health conditions, people with mental health conditions may need support and can request reasonable accommodations to help them succeed in the workplace.

But how do you know if your mental health condition qualifies as a disability protected by the ADA? According to the National ADA Network, a disability is any physical or mental health impairment that significantly limits one or more of your major life activities. If your mental illness makes it difficult for you to perform important tasks at work, accommodations such as adjusting your work environment or the way you perform a task can allow you to better perform the essential functions of the job.

For example, someone navigating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may struggle with anxiety and have difficulty focusing and making decisions at work. This can be stressful because they never know when their symptoms will show up. To help manage such stress, workplace accommodations could include requesting written instructions to help address memory issues or modifying the break schedule to accommodate a therapy appointment.

Other examples of workplace accommodations for individuals with mental health conditions include:

• Allowing noise-cancelling headphones to help reduce distracting noises
• Having access to apps for anxiety and stress
• Using wall planners or a color-coded system to help with time management and managing confusion
• Discussing flexible scheduling or options for working from home

How Can I Request Reasonable Accommodations?

In order to receive an accommodation, you'll need to discuss your disability with your employer, but talking about disclosure doesn't have to be difficult. If you have a mental health condition and want to work, knowing your symptoms will help you communicate your needs. To have a productive discussion with your employer or future employer, think about:

• The part(s) of your job you're having difficulty with due to your mental illness
• How your disability makes it difficult for you to perform these tasks
• Your recommendations for potential solutions

The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause the employer significant difficulty or expense. When you decide to disclose your disability to your employer, keep it simple. You don't have to explain every detail. You can talk to your supervisor, HR representative or ADA coordinator and also put your request in writing to document your request.

If you have additional concerns about mental health support and maintaining employment while coping with mental illness, find out if your employer has an employee assistance program (EAP) that allows you access to mental health professionals and counseling. EAPs also offer tools for identifying triggers, tips for stress management and general coping skills. EAPs are usually offered at no cost to you as the employee; however, there may be a limited number of sessions available.

How Ticket to Work Can Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. If you're eligible, it connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or be successful while you are working.

The Ticket Program can connect you with service providers who offer a wide variety of employment services to support people with disabilities in all stages of their employment journey. Service providers like Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies can answer your questions and help you consider reasonable accommodations as you look for work and transition to the workplace. Service providers can also make you aware of Work Incentives you may qualify for, like Expedited Reinstatement that can help with concerns about finding and maintaining employment. Your service provider can become an important part of your support network, providing you with the informational support and confidence you need to achieve your goals of sustained employment and financial independence while managing your mental health.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

In recognition of Social Wellness month, we're looking at how social connections can support your career development.

So much of a person's employment journey, from applications to maintaining long-term employment, can feel like an independent and private experience. While no one can do a job for you, develop your professional skills, or achieve your career goals, you don't have to do all these things completely alone.

Having a support system of family, friends and professionals can be vital to helping you achieve your employment goals as well as maintaining good mental and emotional health during the highs and lows of job hunting and employment.

What is Social Support?

Social support is the result of developing and nurturing healthy relationships with others that you can rely on in a time of need to help you focus on the progress you've made and the long-term goals ahead of you.

Social support can take different forms including:

• Emotional Support: These are actions that make someone else feel cared for. Actively listening to a person talk about their feelings, offering verbal or physical gestures of sympathy or sending notes of encouragement are all examples of emotional support.
• Instrumental Support: This type of support includes physical actions such as completing housekeeping tasks, giving money or providing transportation.
• Informational Support: This includes providing information that has a positive impact on a person's wellbeing, such as telling someone about a job opening, helping them grow a professional network or connecting them to programs that offer specialized support.

Getting social support and being a part of a social relationship not only helps you during times of change, but it also has positive benefits for your emotional, mental and physical health.

Growing Your Social Network in Your Community

Getting involved in your community through volunteering is a great way to connect with likeminded individuals who share your interests. These social connections can become part of your support system and may even become professional connections that help you network and find future employment opportunities.

If you are pursuing additional training or education to achieve your employment goals, classmates, fellow interns or apprentices can be great additions to your social circle. They may be facing similar challenges and can help you problem solve or show you just how much you've accomplished since the beginning of your training, educational program, internship or apprenticeship.

If in-person opportunities are not available in your immediate area, online communities can be as helpful to your social wellbeing as in-person relationships. These digital spaces can help you find others in similar situations or who have similar experiences to share encouragement and understanding.

How Ticket to Work Can Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. If you're eligible, it connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or be successful while you are working.

The Ticket Program can connect you with service providers who offer a wide variety of employment services to support people with disabilities in all stages of their employment journey.

These service providers can be vital members of your social support network throughout your employment journey, from providing information on how working may affect your benefits to providing resume and job searching assistance.

Employment Networks (EN) are public and private organizations that provide supports like:

• Career planning services, such as goal setting, job coaching and job development.
• Job placement assistance services, such as active job search services; assistance completing job applications, developing resumes, improving interview skills, making employer contacts, analyzing job tasks, suggesting job restructuring and reasonable accommodations, and job retention counseling.
• Ongoing post-employment support, such as regularly scheduled follow-ups and career advancement services.

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies are organizations that provide people with disabilities with more intensive services they may need to prepare them for working with supports like:

• Training
• Education
• Rehabilitation
• Career Counseling
• Job Placement Assistance
• Benefits Counseling

These service providers can be important parts of your social support network, providing you with the informational support you need to confidently try to achieve your goals of sustained employment and financial independence.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. Whether they're in-person or online, job fairs let you engage with potential employers and learn about job openings.

If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

AbilityJobs

AbilityJobs offers specific online resources for job seekers with disabilities. Accessibility features offer you the opportunity to connect with employers using an American Sign Language interpreter, screen reader or other accommodations. This job fair website also offers online face-to-face interviews with recruiters. Learn more about AbilityJobs' job fairs and how to attend.

• July 22: ABILTY Job Fair

Bender Consulting Services

Bender Consulting Services offers a variety of employment resources for job seekers with disabilities, from career prep and education to job recruitment and vocational training.

• July 20: Bender Virtual Career Fair

CareerEco Virtual Career Fairs

Many organizations list their events on CareerEco. Check out their full calendar for a list of their virtual events.

• July 20: SHRM Savannah Virtual Career Fair
• July 22: NAVSEA Warfare Centers Virtual Career Fair

Diversity Career Group

Diversity Career group focuses their career and job fairs on connecting employers and job seekers through sit-down conversations and even first-round job interviews. Check out the full calendar.  

• July 15: East Bay / Walnut Creek - Virtual Job Fair
• July 22: Seattle - Virtual Job Fair
• July 22: Phoenix - Virtual Career Fair

Equal Opportunity Publications

Equal Opportunity Publications (EOP) offers a variety of diversity recruitment resources, including national online career magazines, virtual job boards, and career fairs for minority groups and people with disabilities. Check out EOP's career expos page for a list of events.

• July 14: CAREERS & the disABLED Virtual Career Fair

RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.  For a listing of all RecruitMilitary virtual events, visit their calendar.

• July 1: Kansas City Veterans Job Fair - In-Person
• July 6: National Virtual Career Fair
• July 28: Tampa Veterans Job Fair - In-Person
• July 29: Norfolk Veterans Job Fair - In-Person

About Ticket to Work

There's a lot to consider when job searching, and it can be tough trying to do everything on your own. Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working.

Finding a Job

The resources on the Ticket to Work Find a Job page can also help as you start or continue your job search. For more comprehensive support, we recommend using the Find Help tool to find a service provider that can offer personalized assistance. The Find a Job webpage includes a chart that you can use to compare the features that the various organizations provide, such as job boards, resume services and social networking opportunities. Some of the organizations also offer an employer directory and access to recruiters.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

Summertime typically means the end of the school year. For many young adults, it's a time to transition from high school to their next great adventure. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security has supports and services available to you no matter what path you take.

Finding a Partner in Planning

If you receive SSI benefits as a minor, Social Security will review your eligibility for continued benefits once you turn 18 years old. This medical review is called the "age-18 redetermination". To learn more about this and other important disability benefit qualifications for transitioning youth, check out What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18.

Benefits Counseling

Whether you plan to attend college, trade school or head straight into the workforce, talking with a Benefits Counselor may be the best first step for you to learn how furthering your education or going to work and earning income may affect your benefits.

To learn more, you can connect with your local Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) project. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI, WIPA projects provide free benefits counseling to help you make informed choices about work. If you are age 14-25 and receive SSDI or SSI benefits, you are eligible for WIPA services even if you are not currently seeking employment. Once you turn 18, you become eligible for Social Security's Ticket to Work Program and can connect with an Employment Network (EN). Many ENs have certified Benefits Counselors on staff.

Managing Income

As an adult, you may begin to control and manage your money, including any Social Security disability benefits you receive. Once you are 18 years old, you can register for a my Social Security account.  It's a free and secure way to monitor and manage your benefits that gives you personalized tools and benefits information.

While you're receiving SSI, there are limits on things that you can own. Social Security calls these things "resources."  In spite of resource limits, you may qualify to set aside money in an Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) account. Social Security will not count money (up to $100,000) in an ABLE account toward the resource limit. If your disability occurred before the age of 26 and you receive disability benefits (SSDI/SSI), you are eligible to open an ABLE account through your state. If your state does not offer an ABLE account, some states that have them will allow you to open an account even though you don't live there. 

The money in an ABLE account can be used to pay for disability-related expenses to help you lead a healthy, independent lifestyle.

Education and Employment Training

If you're planning to attend college or a vocational training program after high school, you may receive grants, scholarships, fellowships, and gifts as part of your plan to fund your education. If you use any of these to pay for expenses at an educational institution, including vocational and technical schools, they won't be counted as income when determining your SSI benefits.

Similarly, if you receive any student financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or the Bureau of Indian Affairs student assistant programs, it won't be counted as income, no matter how you use it.

Student Earned Income Exclusion

The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) helps students afford classes and training to prepare for the workforce. SEIE is available to you if you:

• Receive SSI benefits
• Are under age 22
• Regularly attend school, college or job training to prepare for work

In 2021, using the SEIE, you can exclude up to $1,930 per month up to $7,770 for the year. To learn more about how SEIE applies to students' monthly expenses, read our blog post, Making the Grade at School and Work.

Entering the Workforce

Once you finish high school, you may decide to head directly into the workforce. If you think working is the right choice for you, Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program may be right for you.

The Ticket Program and other Work Incentives are designed to help you transition to financial independence through work while maintaining some or all your benefits, including Medicare or Medicaid.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. If you're eligible, the Ticket Program is free and voluntary. It connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job, or be successful while you are working.

Receive Ticket Program Texts

With school officially over, many teens take advantage of the summer break to explore different opportunities to help them figure out what they want to do with their future. From camps and classes to part-time work, how you use your summer can set you up for success in the next school year and your long-term goals. Even if you've already graduated, summer is a great time to explore different professional opportunities that interest you.

Summer Camp and Classes

Many colleges now offer academic summer camp for high school students. Camps like these can reduce the academic achievement gap caused by what's known as summer slide or summer learning loss. Summer slide is when students return to the classroom after summer break and need a refresher on some of the topics they learned in the previous year. It happens to every student, but exposure to educational activities during their break can reduce the amount of time they need to relearn previous concepts.

From coding and robotics to cooking and dance, summer camps and classes are good places to discover new interests or dig deeper into a passion. Camps and summer classes can also expose you to careers you may not have thought about before.

Volunteering

Consider volunteering! Lending your summer to a cause or organization that is important to you is a great way to give back to the community while helping to kick off your career. Keeping a volunteer schedule is similar to keeping a work schedule but may allow for a little more flexibility than a schedule you would encounter in the workforce.

The skills you develop as a volunteer can frequently translate to marketable skills once you enter the workforce, especially the soft skills you develop from working in a team, with the public or with the community.

Volunteering can also turn into the perfect opportunity to network and connect with people who may work in a professional field you want to be in one day.  

Apprenticeships and Internships

If you know what you'd like to do after high school graduation, an apprenticeship or internship can help jumpstart your career. 

Short-term employment opportunities like these allow you to get hands-on experience in a field or position that interests you while you're still a student. Some internships or apprenticeships even pay an hourly or salary wage while you work, giving you a first look at what it will be like to be financially independent through employment. These opportunities can help you build a strong first resume once you've officially finished your education.

And, if you've done well and find that you've enjoyed your time at your internship or apprenticeship and want to continue in the field, some programs will invite you back for additional summers of training or offer a job contingent upon the completion of a certain level of education.

How can Ticket to Work help?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. It connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or be successful while you are working.

The Ticket Program can connect you with service providers who offer a wide variety of employment services to people with disabilities in all stages of their employment journey, including preparing to enter the workforce for the first time.

Receive Ticket Program Texts