Ticket at 20: Spotlight on Cherie
This year, we're celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ticket to Work (Ticket) program. Join us, as we recognize the achievements of people featured in our success stories in this new blog series!
Meet Cherie!
Vulnerability and resilience are opposite traits. But Cherie's story serves as a reminder that when people find resilience after suffering, they learn what they are made of.
Cherie had already been diagnosed with a treatment-resistant mood disorder. After a series of traumatic events, including an attempt to take her own life, she was also diagnosed with clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She began receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits while she sought treatment.
Cherie wanted to work but was concerned that she'd been out of the workforce too long to be employable. When she thought she was ready, she decided to try working part-time. She began by helping a friend in an office setting. As she started gaining confidence and taking on more responsibilities, Cherie quickly rediscovered her organizational skills and began working full-time.
Cherie was afraid to lose her SSDI and Medicare benefits. However, working with a Benefits Counselor helped her learn more about how working and earning income would affect her benefits. Her Benefits Counselor helped her understand that she would not lose her benefits as soon as she started working. She would have time to test her ability to work and determine whether full-time employment was right for her.
In addition to benefits counseling, Cherie worked with a Ticket program service provider to receive career counseling, computer skills training and advice on job accommodations. Cherie's Benefits Counselor worked with her to develop an Individual Work Plan that served as a roadmap to help Cherie reach her employment goals.
Cherie is now assistant to the executive director, the top administrative role at her workplace. She runs the office, and coordinates many aspects of the 15 programs that help people with disabilities thrive in their communities. She traded her SSDI benefits for a bigger paycheck, and acknowledged the important role employment has played in her long-term recovery.
Read Cherie's full story and find other success stories!
Find your path to success!
Ticket to Work and other Work Incentives helped Cherie find her path to a better future. Find yours!
To learn more about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (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.
