This month, we talked with 2 previous Ticket to Work (Ticket) program success story individuals, Lori and Lisa, to find out more about how working from home has helped their careers.

Before Lori found the Ticket program, she knew working from home was a great choice for her because it offered the flexibility and security she needed to focus on work. She would also need ongoing support, like career counseling, to make the most of her career choice. Meanwhile, Lisa, who did not have any experience working from home, wanted to give her family a financially independent future.

Both women assigned their tickets to a Social Security Employment Network (EN), Employment Options, Inc. (EO). The EN helped each of them learn more about working from home, how EO could support them, and how Social Security's Work Incentives could help them work toward financial independence. EO works with clients to find work in a variety of industries and with many employers. However, Lisa and Lori both found job opportunities working directly for EO and are now financially independent.

Lori's original job through EO allowed her to work from home, but when the company closed her department, she worked with EO to find a new opportunity. Lori connected with the CEO of EO through social media and was hired as the Online Events Manager and Senior Marketing Liaison. She now helps run 2 virtual career fairs each year, organizes monthly webinars and maintains EO's website and online marketing.

Lisa was hired by EO as a Vocational Counselor. She spent several months shadowing the CEO, and now counsels people with disabilities who want to work from home.

Both women agree that working from home has given them the opportunity to be successful. "Work from home gives you a more secure environment," Lisa says. "People naturally feel more productive, secure and safe in their own home environment so it offers that comfort." Lisa also explains that working from home lets you take care of yourself: "Some people may need to get up and move around. You can do that from home. No one can see you. As long as you can still take calls and be productive, no one's going to be able to tell."

Setting yourself up for success

Earlier this year, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offered their advice on telework, and we asked Lori and Lisa to share their own tips:

• Set up a separate workspace. Lisa suggests an office area with a door to separate your work and home life.
• Make sure you have the right experience. You'll stand out to potential employers if you're comfortable dealing with questions, complaints and other requests by phone or online. Lori also recommends reading the job listings carefully to make sure you match the qualifications.
• Consider onsite work to gain experience. Depending on the type of work you're interested in, it may be important to work onsite before requesting to telework. Once you've developed valuable skills, you may be able to transition to working from home.
• Set aside time to get out of the house and interact with others. Lisa says that she tries to leave her house at least once per day for a social setting, like the gym.

About Ticket to Work

If you'd like to consider working from home, Social Security's Ticket program may be able to help. The Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.

The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce, including access to service providers such as ENs.

Lisa and Lori agree that working with an EN gave them the support they needed when talking with employers. From helping with resumes and finding job listings to coaching you through requesting job accommodations, working with a Ticket service provider, like an EN, can help you find the answers to your questions.

"If you're working with an EN, you have someone to go to," Lori says. "Whether you have a scheduling issue or need to work fewer hours or need a headset or keyboard, you can talk with your EN first before you talk with your employer, and they can offer you expert advice. That support was what made the difference [for me]. I felt I always had a go-to person for benefits questions; or if I needed a new schedule, I could find out the right way to go about it."

Career fairs are an excellent way to begin or continue your job search if you'd like to return to work or explore working for the first time.

Throughout the month of July, career fairs will take place nationwide, both in person and virtually. Career fairs are great places to meet with employers and recruiters who can tell you about their latest job openings. Advance your job search at a career fair this month!

City Career Fair (In person)

City Career Fair brings some of the most well-known employers to cities near you. Be sure to check them out the next time they are in your area.

• July 7: Inland Empire/Ontario, California
• July 19: Seattle, WA

Georgia Tech Virtual Career Fair (Virtual)

Sponsored by Georgia Tech's Center for Career Discovery & Development, this event is open to Georgia Tech students and alumni across all majors.

• July 12

American Legion Department of Virginia Hiring Fair (In Person)

Join Hiring Our Heroes and the American Legion for a job fair for service members, veterans, and military spouses in Herndon, VA.

• July 13: Herndon, VA

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Virtual)

RecruitMilitary offers transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses the chance to meet with recruiters from dozens of companies. RecruitMilitary has hosted more than 900 events over 11 years.

• July 13: Indianapolis Veterans Job Fair
• July 13: St. Louis Veterans Job Fair
• July 18: Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair

EOP’s Careers & the Disabled Career Expo (In Person)

Equal Opportunity Publications (EOP) will host qualified job candidates at its Careers & the Disabled Career Expo.

• July 14: New York, NY

Washington D.C. Metro Area Career Fair (In Person)

This free regional career fair will allow those in the D.C. metro area to meet face-to-face with employers hiring for sales, customer service, retail, financial services, management, information technology and government positions.

• July 20: Washington, DC

First Annual Tri-State New England Hiring Event (In Person)

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as it teams up with the U.S. Department of Labor and local offices for the first New England Tri-State Hiring Fair in Portsmouth, NH.

Over 150 local New England and national employers will be recruiting veterans, military service members, guard, reserve, and military spouses.

• July 19: Portsmouth, NH

Veteran Recruiting (Virtual)

Veteran Recruiting is dedicated to serving the military community, including those with disabilities, by providing access to industry-leading employers through virtual career fairs and live video interviewing services. This event is exclusively for National Guard reservists, veterans and military spouses. You can research potential employers, visit employer booths, chat with recruiters, and browse a wide range of available jobs—all from your home computer!

• July 11: Travelers Virtual Career Fair
• July 18: Texas Virtual Career Fair
• July 27: Virginia Virtual Career Fair

What would you do if you had a great opportunity for a dream job but thought that you would lose your Medicaid coverage if you went to work? Would you take the job or let it pass?

We have good news! In this month's Work Incentives Wednesdays, we share how people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on a disability, can keep their Medicaid while they are working, even if they earn enough income to no longer receive an SSI cash payment. With this Work Incentive, "Medicaid While Working," you can pursue career goals with the support you need.

What is Medicaid While Working?

Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act, commonly called "Medicaid While Working", is a valuable safety net that continues Medicaid coverage while you are still eligible for SSI, even if you are not receiving a monthly cash payment. If you're eligible for Medicaid under 1619(b), your SSI cash benefit can restart without a new application if you stop working or if your earnings are reduced. To use this Work Incentive, you must meet 5 requirements:

• Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least 1 month; and
• Still meet the disability requirement; and
• Still meet all other non-disability SSI requirements; and
• Need Medicaid benefits to continue to work; and
• Have gross earnings that are insufficient to replace SSI, Medicaid and publicly funded attendant care services.

Threshold amounts

Social Security uses a state threshold amount to determine eligibility for Medicaid While Working. Each state has a different threshold amount, including different threshold amounts for people who are blind. The threshold amount is calculated based on the values of SSI cash benefits, Medicaid benefits and publicly funded personal or attendant care benefits. Social Security's Red Book can help you find your state's threshold amount.

Even if you earn more than your state's threshold amount, you can still be eligible for Medicaid While Working if you have:

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses
• Blind Work Expenses
• A Plan to Achieve Self-Support
• Publicly funded personal attendant expenses
• Medical expenses above your state's average amount

Are there any other ways to keep Medicaid coverage?

If you don't qualify for 1619(b), you can also find out if your state offers "Medicaid Buy-In." Through the buy-in, you can pay a monthly premium to keep your Medicaid coverage. You may qualify if you:

• Meet Social Security's definition of having a disability
• Would be eligible for SSI if you earned less income

If you do not receive SSI benefits, your state will decide if you meet disability requirements without considering whether you work. You can get more information from your state's Medical Assistance office. Call 800-MEDICARE or 877-486-2048 (TTY) for your state's buy-in program.

1619(b) and Other Work Incentives

As you consider work, search for a job and transition to the workplace, Medicaid While Working and other Work Incentives can give you the support you need to find financial independence. Learn about other Work Incentives in our Work Incentives Wednesdays blog series.

By Carmen Andújar-Carreras

The Federal Government benefits from a diverse workforce that includes students and recent graduates, who lend unique perspectives to federal agencies. The Pathways Programs (Programs) are ideal for reaching out to the next generation, and connecting federal agencies with job seekers of all backgrounds who possess a broad range of talent.

The Programs offer 3 innovative paths for students and recent graduates to get direct experience with federal employers, and encourage careers in public service. They are perfect for new students and graduates; job seekers making a career change; people who temporarily left the workplace to seek new degrees; veterans who went to school on the new GI bill; and anyone else whose education prepared them for a variety of careers. Below are details about each Program.

Current students

First, there is the Internship Program. Current students from a variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate level are eligible to apply. Interns enjoy paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while they are still in school. They may work part- or full-time and may be hired for long-term or summer work. Students receive meaningful work assignments and are often provided training, and possibly a mentor. Once they complete academic and work requirements, students may be eligible for permanent employment.

Recent graduates

The Recent Graduates Program, our "career development program," is open to anyone who completed a formal education program beyond high school. Job seekers are eligible to apply for up to 2 years after degree completion. Certain veterans have up to 6 years to apply if service obligations kept them from doing so during the 2-year period. This year-long program (in some cases 2 years) offers training and developmental opportunities, an assigned mentor, a "road map" for success called an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and career advancement opportunities. After program completion, Recent Graduates may be eligible for permanent employment.

Leaders in the making

Finally, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program, the Federal Government's flagship "leadership development program," is open only to those holding graduate degrees such as a masters or doctorate. Applicants have up to 2 years after degree completion to apply. This highly competitive program features 2 years of outstanding training and developmental opportunities, an IDP, assignment of a senior mentor, formal interactive training, and a rotational agency assignment. PMFs that successfully complete program requirements may be eligible for permanent employment.

How to apply

Pathways jobs are filled through fair and open competition. Positions are posted on USAJOBS, where job seekers can search keywords like "Intern," "Recent Graduates," or "Pathways" to find and apply for individual Pathways job postings following instructions in the "How to Apply" section.

The PMF Program positions are available only once a year when the positions are posted on USAJOBS, typically in the late summer or early fall.

Ready?

If you're ready to use your education to have a positive impact on your fellow Americans, consider the Pathways Programs. Learn more and sign up  for our complimentary monthly briefings on Pathways employment. Contact us at pathways@opm.gov if you have questions.

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 (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

If you're interested in a Pathways Program position, a Ticket program service provider may be able to help. An Employment Network (EN) can help you write and edit your resume, practice interview skills and even help you find Program positions if you qualify. Many ENs also have Benefits Counselors on staff who can explain how working affects your Social Security disability benefits. Pairing the mentorship and guidance of the Pathways Programs and the support of the Ticket program could help you find your path to success.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Join disability employment experts from the Ticket to Work program and the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) from 1 – 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 29, 2017, for a Twitter chat about "Employment for People with Disabilities." Both groups will share tips and resources that may help you succeed.

You will learn about:

• Job training resources
• Job accommodations in the workplace
• How work can affect your Social Security disability benefits

Be sure to bring your questions about how Social Security's Work Incentives and job accommodations could help you reach your career goals.

We'll also want to hear from you to learn about new employment resources and your experiences as a job seeker:

• What resources and tips do you have for people with disabilities who are looking for work?
• Share your success story about returning to work or finding work for the first time.
• Have you worked with a Ticket to Work service provider (an Employment Network or state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency)? How has it helped you reach your employment goals?
• What are your tips for a great interview?
• Let us know how mentoring and other programs can help young adults with disabilities with their career goals.
• What advice do have for others about disability disclosure and requesting reasonable job accommodations?
• What government programs have you heard of that can help people with disabilities find work?

Haven't joined a Twitter chat before? No problem! Twitter chats are an excellent way to gain insight on specific and more general topics. To join the event:

1. Sign in to Twitter and follow us @chooseworkssa if you do have not done so already. You'll also want to follow the CDE @CDETweets.
2. Search for the hashtag #DEChat and follow along with the questions and responses.
3. Include #DEChat in your tweets to participate and add to the conversation.  

If you have questions about the Twitter chat, please contact us at socialmedia@choosework.net.

Our May WISE webinar, Ticket to Work for People with Mental Illness, highlighted how working may help people with a mental illness on their path to recovery.

During the May 24 webinar, more than 300 attendees learned how the Ticket to Work (Ticket) program offers employment supports that may help people with mental illness develop a plan for work. The Ticket program helps people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work.

We received so many great questions about people with a mental illness returning to work or working for the first time, that we selected the top questions to answer today. Read on to learn more! You can also watch the webinar in our WISE archives to find more resources and information.

How can work help me recover if I have a mental illness?

Work is so much more than a job and can have a positive effect on many areas of your life. You can meet new people, make new friends, gain new skills and create a daily routine where others depend on you. You become a productive and valuable part of your community. Work may also help you manage symptoms of a mental illness.

Working can lead to financial independence, too. Earning a paycheck can help you pay bills, reduce debt or save for the future. Money also lets you do the things you enjoy, such as pursuing a hobby, traveling, dining out or buying items you want.

I'm worried my mental illness may affect my health in the future. What if I need to stop working?

If you are concerned about your ability to work long-term, Social Security has Work Incentives that allow you to explore work to see if it’s right for you. Let’s look at one Work Incentive that is available to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). It’s called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR).

The EXR helps people who successfully return to work and no longer receive SSDI and SSI benefits, regain their benefit payments without submitting a new application. If your benefit payments stopped because of work and earnings and you stop work within 5 years of when your benefits ended, you may be able to have your benefits started again right away through a request for EXR. While Social Security reviews your request for reinstatement, you may receive temporary benefits for up to 6 months. This gives you time to explore your options about returning to work or to receive disability benefits.

What is Clubhouse International?

During the webinar, we mentioned the Clubhouse Model. With more than 320 programs around the world, Clubhouse offers people with mental illness chances for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single caring and safe environment. Learn more about Clubhouse International.

How can I learn more about Ticket to Work and my employment options?

Our monthly WISE webinars feature a variety of topics related to the Ticket program. We explore the Social Security Work Incentives, government programs and employment supports. These free webinars are designed to help you learn more about these resources and help you plan for financial independence.

Register now to join us on June 28, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., for the WISE webinar Ticket to Work for Young Adults.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Veterans have much to offer civilian employers. The Ticket to Work (Ticket) program helps veterans with disabilities identify skills, find job opportunities and successfully transition to the workplace. In this blog post, we offer tips for finding support on the journey to work.

Ahead of the competition

As a veteran, you may be ahead of the competition. You've developed strong leadership and organizational skills, flexibility and time management. Many employers value the training and skills that you received in the military. The Ticket program can help you put these skills to work.

The Ticket program offers employment support through service providers like Employment Networks (EN). If you're age 18 through 64 and you receive Social Security disability benefits, ENs can help you set work goals, identify your skills and find job openings. They can also help you improve your interview skills so you can confidently talk with potential employers about how your military experience can benefit the workplace.

Workforce ENs, which are a part of a state's Public Workforce System, also offer special programs designed to help veterans with disabilities transition to civilian life. Your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency may provide more extensive services and support to prepare you to return to work, such as rehabilitation and individual counseling, adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and vehicle modifications, and college-level training.

Help for the homeless

Recently, the Ticket program team participated in the annual National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) conference in Washington, DC. During this year's conference, "Yes, In My Back Yard: Putting Veterans First," participants and organizations shared information about resources and programs designed to help the nearly 40,000 homeless veterans.

Because roughly half of these veterans receive Social Security disability benefits, the Ticket program may help them find work and financial independence. The Ticket program team presented information about how the program's employment supports can help veterans with disabilities along the path to work. 

In her presentation, Sheriene Knox, Ticket to Work Program Director of Operation: Job Ready Veterans (OJRV), described how OJRV prepares service members, their spouses and caregivers for the workplace and connects them with employers. She spoke about how their efforts have helped veterans like Renate make a successful return to the workforce.  

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Throughout June, career fairs will be held nationwide, both in person and online. Career fairs are great places to meet with employers and recruiters who can tell you about their latest job openings. Advance your job search at a career fair this month!

EOP’s STEM Diversity Career Expo (In Person)

Equal Opportunity Publications (EOP) has a Science, Technology and Math (STEM) Diversity Career Expo that connects industry and government with members of minority groups, women and people with disabilities in the STEM career field.

• June 9: Washington, DC

Annual Diversity Employment Day (In Person)

Annual Diversity Employment Day (DED) Career Fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• June 7: Atlanta, GA
• June 16: West Hollywood, CA
• June 21: Silicon Valley, CA
• June 30: Sacramento, CA

Hiring Our Heroes (In Person)

Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helps veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find meaningful employment. Hiring Our Heroes has hosted hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

• June 2: San Diego, CA
• June 7-8: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
• June 9: Cheektowaga, NY
• June 21-22: Fort Gordon, GA
• June 23-24: Los Angeles, CA
• June 27: Seattle, WA

DICE Targeted Hiring Fairs (In Person and Virtual)

This online career fair connects job seekers with top employers in technology industries. Job seekers have the chance to talk with these employers by instant chat during the events.

• June 7: Detroit, MI
• June 9: Atlanta, GA
• June 14: Tysons, VA
• June 20: Los Angeles, CA
• June 21: Chicago, IL
• June 29: Colorado Springs, CO

Veteran Recruiting (Virtual)

Veteran Recruiting is dedicated to serving the military community, including those with disabilities, by providing access to industry-leading employers through virtual career fairs and live video interviewing services. This event is exclusively for National Guard reservists, veterans and military spouses. You can research potential employers, visit employer booths, chat with recruiters, and browse a wide range of available jobs—all from your home computer!

• June 6: All Industries Virtual Career Fair
• June 21: Comcast NBCUniversal Virtual Career Fair
• June 27: Women Veterans Virtual Career Fair

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Virtual)

RecruitMilitary offers transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses the chance to meet with recruiters from dozens of companies. RecruitMilitary has hosted more than 900 events over 11 years.

• June 7: Fort Knox, KY
• June 8: Glendale, AZ
• June 8: Houston, TX
• June 14: Fort Bragg, NC
• June 15: Dearborn, MI
• June 15: Los Angeles, CA
• June 15: Fort Bragg, NC
• June 20: Camp Pendleton, CA
• June 22: Washington, DC
• June 22: Atlanta, GA

Corporate Gray (In Person)

Corporate Gray connects transitioning military personnel with employers to help them find valuable employment. While its goal is to help people in the military, civilians and non-military are welcome to attend their job fairs.

• June 22: Springfield, VA

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fairs has hosted more than 10,000 career fairs over the last 16 years. Their events take place across the country and connect you with employers looking for full- and part-time employees in various industries. They host as many as 30 events each month, so check their career fair calendar to find an event near you.

In this month's Work Incentives Wednesdays, we talk about the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). This Work Incentive is for students who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and want to work to earn more money while they attend classes or job training. It can help you keep your SSI benefits as you move toward financial independence.

What is the Student Earned Income Exclusion?

Education and job training may help you achieve your work goals, but they can also be expensive.

If you are a student who receives SSI benefits and you are working, Social Security will deduct part of your earnings from your countable income. The SEIE lowers your countable income to help you keep part or all of your SSI cash benefit.

Are you eligible?

To qualify for the SEIE, you must:

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

If you have a disability that requires you to stay at home, you can qualify for the SEIE if you have an at-home training with a tutor from a school or you take classes online. When you find a job, and initially report your earnings to Social Security, it's a good idea to be proactive and report that you're a student. If you choose not to, Social Security will verify your student status during your SSI re-determination process. This usually takes place approximately once a year, but may happen more or less often, depending on your circumstances.

You remain eligible for the SEIE even while classes are not in session. If you plan to and do return to classes after the break, the SEIE can still be applied to your earnings.

How does the SEIE work?

If you qualify as an eligible student, Social Security will apply the SEIE when calculating your SSI benefit amount. In 2017, the SEIE can exclude up to $1,790 each month, with a maximum of $7,200 for the year.

Let's take a look at an example to see how the SEIE can affect an eligible student's SSI benefit each month.

Mary receives SSI benefits and meets the criteria as a student. She starts working in January 2017 and earns $2,000 per month. This is the only income she receives, and she has no unearned income. When Social Security calculates her countable earnings, they apply the SEIE before any other SSI income exclusions. Mary's countable income follows:

Visit www.ssa.gov to learn more about Income Exclusions for the SSI program

By applying the SEIE and other exclusions, Social Security only counts $62.50 of the $2,000 Mary earned when they figure her SSI payment.

By April, Mary has used $7,160 of the yearly $7,200 SEIE amount. If she continues to work in May, only $40 of the SEIE remains. After using this, Mary is still eligible for the General Exclusion and Earned Income Exclusion, but Social Security will no longer deduct the SEIE from her countable earnings.

Visit www.ssa.gov to learn more about Income Exclusions for the SSI program

SEIE and other Work Incentives

In many cases, the SEIE allows students to test their ability to work while keeping most, and sometimes all, of their SSI check. To learn more about the SEIE, check out Understanding the Student Earned Income Exclusion Factsheet (PDF).

The SEIE is just one of many Social Security Work Incentives that help you earn your way toward financial independence. Learn more about Work Incentives that may apply to you if you receive SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) by visiting www.ssa.gov/work and reading Social Security's Red Book.

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 (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn more

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.