Attention Students: Work for the Federal Government

Aug 10, 2023

woman outdoors in a graduate robe and hat smiling and looking into the distance Have you ever thought about working for the federal government? Students, now may be your chance. Learn more about the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).

The WRP is a recruitment and referral program for college students with disabilities that connects them with federal and select private-sector employers nationwide. Students will be eligible to register for the program beginning August 21.

Managed by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Labor, the WRP lets graduate students and recent graduates demonstrate their skills and abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs.

Students with Disabilities:

You can apply to the WRP beginning August 21.

Learn more.

Applicants must be:

A person with a disability eligible for the Schedule A Hiring Authority
A U.S. citizen
An undergraduate student, graduate/doctoral student, or a recent graduate
- A student must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited college or university on a substantially full-time basis (unless their disability or program requirements preclude the student from taking a substantially full-time load).
- A recent graduate must have received a postsecondary degree on or after April 1, 2021.

The college or university you attend must be registered for the Workforce Recruitment Program. Check with your school’s disability services or career services to see if they are registered.

Registration for students is open August 21! Register at wrp.gov.

How Can Ticket to Work Help?

Are you a college student or graduate who receives Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI)? If so, knowing more about Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program will help as you pursue your work goals after graduation.

The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with Ticket Program service providers, like State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies or Employment Networks (EN), to receive the supports and services they need to pursue work and financial independence.

Ticket Program service providers offer a variety of supports and services to help job seekers with disabilities, ranging from resume writing and interview prep to assistance requesting reasonable accommodations (during the interview and/or on the job), and continued support once someone has started working. Many service providers also offer benefits counseling through certified Benefits Counselors, who can help you better understand how earning an income will affect your benefits and discover Work Incentives that may help you keep certain benefits during the transitional period.

Getting Started

Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: Ticket Program representatives can help callers find answers to their questions about working and their benefits — or even send them a list of service providers that offer the supports and services they need to start or continue their job search or succeed on the job. The Ticket to Work Help Line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. To connect with a representative, call 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY).
Visit the Find Help tool: If you are ready to start working with a Ticket Program service provider, the Find Help tool can help you find the right one. The Direct Search feature allows you to find service providers by type of provider, location and even services offered. Or the Guided Search feature asks you a series of questions to help determine what kind of service provider may fit the user's needs.

Staying Connected

Find us on social media to see more information and resources. We post updates about the Ticket Program and other Social Security news, and we help our followers discover new resources that may help them find work, request job accommodations, and succeed on the path to financial independence.