Be Your Own Boss with Ticket to Work
Have you ever considered working for yourself? Would flexible hours and the freedom to work at your own pace make employment possible? Are you self-motivated, and do you enjoy working on your own? Do you have a passion to be an entrepreneur? If your answer to these questions is, "Yes!" then self-employment may be right for you.
November is National Entrepreneurship Month when we celebrate the determination of those who strike out on their own, building their own career opportunities. Today's blog post examines how self-employment and Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can work hand-in-hand.
If you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI), are age 18 through 64, and you'd like help starting your own business, the Ticket Program is here to help. This free and voluntary program can help you on your path to financial independence through self-employment.
Ticket Program service providers that have experience helping people with disabilities to start their own businesses can guide you as you take the first steps to self-employment. They can help you think through how to develop your business goals, determine your target market, make financial projections, identify record-keeping requirements and write your business plan.
Who else can help?
The Ticket Program and its service providers may work with other organizations ready to help you launch your new business including the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE and the SBA Small Business and Development Center. Starting a new business is a lot of work, and the more support you have from Ticket Program service providers and a mentor from SCORE, the smoother the transition from idea to implementation may be.
In addition to the Ticket Program, Social Security has other Work Incentives that are useful in starting and maintaining a business. In fact, some Work Incentives are specifically for people trying to start their own businesses.
If you want more information about starting your own business, you can use our Find Help tool to search for service providers that specialize in working with beneficiaries who want to start their own business. A Benefits Counselor can help you understand how self-employment will affect your benefits.
Learn more
To learn more about the Ticket Program, visit choosework.ssa.gov or 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.
Receive Ticket Program Texts
If you're interested in receiving text messages from the Ticket Program, please text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292. Standard messaging rates may apply. We'll send updates from our blog, identify steps on the path to employment and more. We hope you'll find this new way to stay in touch helpful. You can opt out at any time.
