Ticket to Work: 20 Years of Helping People with Disabilities Find Their Place in America’s Workforce

In December 2019, Social Security observed the 20th anniversary of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. The Act established the Ticket to Work program, and made free employment services available to people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. On December 17, 1999, President Clinton signed the legislation into law at the site of the memorial honoring President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and we've created a new infographic to reflect how the Ticket program has grown. For example, the program has served almost 1.5 million people with disabilities and provides telephone support to over 200,000 callers annually through the Ticket to Work Help Line. Over the years, more than 500,000 people have found jobs and gained greater financial independence with the aid of the program's over 750 service providers. Members of the Ticket employment team include: state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, entities known collectively as Employment Networks, organizations that provide free benefits counseling and others that offer legal support and advocacy as well as assistance with obtaining reasonable accommodations on the job. 

Learn More

Today, the Ticket to Work program continues to provide free support and employment services to people with disabilities. Learn more about the program and join us in celebrating our anniversary. You can:

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter – We're celebrating our anniversary all year long! You can also follow our anniversary hashtag #TicketTurns20 for conversations about the job support services available for people with disabilities.
• Visit our Success Stories– Check out stories of people with disabilities who found their path to work and achieved their financial goals.