Attend a job fair in June to see what employers have to offer and are looking for as they seek to hire new employees.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. They give you the chance to meet potential employers and learn about different job opportunities. The career fairs listed in this post are just a few of the offerings in June. Visit the organizers' websites for a full list of June career fairs to see if there's one near you.

If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

City Career Fairs (In Person)

City Career Fair's Diversity Employment Day (DED) career fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• June 6: Atlanta, GA
• June 13: Sacramento, CA
• June 20: Silicon Valley, CA
• June 29: West Hollywood, CA

Choice Career Fairs (In person)

Choice Career Fairs is an organizer of job fairs and career fairs throughout the United States.

• June 7: Inland Empire, CA
• June 14: Washington, DC
• June 14: San Antonio, TX
• June 21: Baltimore, MD
• June 21: Long Island, NY
• June 27: Las Vegas, NV

Coast to Coast Career Fairs (In Person)

Coast to Coast Career Fairs holds numerous in person career fairs across the country each month. To find a full list of career fairs by region, check out their calendar.

Diversity Career Group (In Person)

Diversity Career Group focuses their career and job fairs on connecting employers and jobseekers through sit-down conversations and even first-round job interviews. To find the full list of their events, visit the website and select "Career Fairs" at the top of the page.  

RecruitMilitary (In Person)

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.

• June 7: Phoenix Veterans Job Fair
• June 7: Houston Veterans Job Fair

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fairs holds free career fairs in over 130 cities each year.

• June 5: Richmond, VA
• June 5: Oakland, CA
• June 7: Indianapolis, IN
• June 13: Orlando, FL
• June 19: Mesa, AZ
• June 27: Birmingham, AL

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, 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.

Last month, we welcomed Commissioner Chai Feldblum of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to present on our Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar. She joined Pam Walker of Alliance Professional Services to discuss your options for applying for and securing employment with the federal government, as well as discrimination in the workplace.

We received many great questions during the webinar, and today we're reviewing a few of them!

What is Schedule A? And how can I apply?

The Schedule A Hiring Authority gives the federal government permission to hire people with significant disabilities without requiring them to compete against non-disabled jobseekers for the same position.

You can find a full list of open positions for the federal government at www.USAJOBS.gov. Schedule A jobs are not listed separately, so you can search for job openings with agencies that match your interests and skills. You'll also want to obtain your Schedule A documentation that states you are eligible under Schedule A. This documentation is a letter from a doctor, medical professional, licensed Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor or any agency that issues or provides you with disability benefits. Once you have your resume, application and documentation ready, apply for the job and contact the agency's Disability Program Manager to let them know you'd like to be considered for the job under Schedule A.

If you're hired for a position through Schedule A, you're hired on a probationary basis. Once the probationary period ends, you may be eligible for conversion to a career-conditional appointment. Learn more about Schedule A in our Frequently Asked Questions.

 Looking for even more info? Check out the EEOC's resource, The ABCs of Schedule A. 

Can a Ticket to Work service provider help me apply for federal jobs?

Yes! Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program offers you the supports and services you need to find your path to work, including federal employment.

In particular, a Ticket program service provider may be able to help you identify federal positions that suit your interests, skills and experience. They may also help you contact the federal agency to request that you be considered for a job under Schedule A and make sure that you have the appropriate documents to indicate that you are eligible for Schedule A.

You can start looking for a Ticket program service provider by using the Find Help tool.

I feel that I'm being discriminated against at work because of my disability. What can I do?

The EEOC may be able to help you if you've been discriminated against in the workplace. These 4 steps outline how you can handle a discrimination report with the EEOC:

1. Contact the EEOC: You can visit one of the 15 district or 38 local offices throughout the country or contact your state or local employment civil rights agency. They may help you file a complaint online using the EEOC's public portal.
2. Talk with an investigator: An EEOC investigator will review your complaint to determine if there's "reasonable cause" to believe that discrimination has happened.
3. Mediation: Next steps may include mediation, which means you may need to meet with your employer and a trained third-party professional to discuss the issues and potentially find a resolution to the problems.
4. Settlement and Other Options: If the EEOC investigator identifies "reasonable cause" to believe that discrimination happened, the EEOC will attempt to help to negotiate a settlement. If the settlement option fails, you may pursue your claim in federal court. If the EEOC doesn't find reasonable cause, you'll be given a letter that says you may pursue your claim in federal court.

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organizations, one type of Ticket program service provider, may also be able to help. PABSS organizations provide legal support, advocacy and information to assist beneficiaries in resolving employment-related concerns, including:

• Navigating organizations and services to support your efforts to work and protect your rights such as appealing decisions of a State VR agency or Employment Network
• Requesting reasonable accommodations in your workplace, college classes, training courses, and licensing programs
• Other disability-based legal issues that are barriers to employment, such as transportation

WISE webinars

WISE webinars are monthly online events that cover a variety of employment topics to provide you with information and resources to help you pursue and achieve your work goals. Each month we highlight a different topic, as well as Ticket program resources and information and feature presenters who talk about employment and answer your questions about returning to work or finding work for the first time.

Our next WISE webinar will be June 27, 2018, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET. The webinar, "Ticket to Work Support on Your Journey to Financial Independence" will focus on the services and support you can find through the Ticket program, how to connect with Ticket program service providers, and offer resources that may help you reach the next step on your journey. Register today!

If you're interested in checking out May's webinar or other past webinars, you can find them in our WISE archives!

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, 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.

This June, we're celebrating Employee Wellbeing Month to introduce healthier choices and activities into your workspace. You work hard, and it's important that you manage your work-life balance in a healthy way every day.

Finding work-life balance can be hard. Fitting exercise and physical wellness into your life can be even harder. Today, we're sharing 7 tips to help you achieve that balance.

Making good health and wellness decisions can lead to increased alertness at work, higher energy and the ability to influence others to make good decisions about health and wellness. You may even find that you feel more productive at work and have reduced stress as you transition to the workplace and take on job responsibilities.

If you're transitioning to an office workplace, how do you practice good physical fitness during business hours when you have to be at your desk all day and may be surrounded by vending machines, birthday celebrations and on-the-go eating? Here are some tips for maintaining your physical fitness and incorporating good habits into your everyday routine at work.

1. Take frequent breaks to stretch. While your time at work is precious and you have a lot to accomplish each day, take time to stretch, walk, and move around when possible.
2. Don't take the easy way around. If your mobility allows, take the stairs and park further away. Adding more opportunities to move throughout the day will help you stretch and feel more energized, even on days when your schedule doesn't allow you to take many breaks.
3. Take lunch. You may think that eating lunch at your desk may help you be more productive, but you need that time to focus on eating, taking a break and regrouping, and moving around. If you have a lunch break — whether it's 30 minutes or an hour —take the opportunity to step away for a little while.
4. Bring lunch from home. Skip ordering out and bring your lunch. This allows you to have more control over what you eat — just be sure to think about nutrition and pick lunch options that have protein, vegetables, fruit, fiber and other important nutrients to help you feel full and nourished throughout the afternoon.
5. Exercise at your desk. If possible, incorporate ankle and wrist exercises into your daily desk routine. You can also bring in resistance bands or hand grips to use at your desk.
6. Skip the celebration food. If your office is one that celebrates birthdays and other events with cake or other food, don't feel like you have to eat it. Eating too much sugar during the day may lead to a sugar crash — feeling tired and unfocused — later in the day.
7. Find a fitness pal. Having someone in the office who views fitness the same way you do is helpful. You can encourage each other to make healthy decisions, like going for a walk during your break.

After your workday is done, try to add a little more activity to your routine. Adult leagues are a great opportunity to meet people, maintain or increase your proficiency in a sport and have fun while exercising. Find out if your employer has a sports league you can get involved with, or you can research local sports leagues and join.

These tips are also helpful to people who are on the search for a job! If you begin practicing some of these activities today, you'll be even more ready to have a good work/life balance when you're employed.

What are some of your tips for staying healthy at work or on the job search? Share your stories, tips, recipes and ideas all month long using #EWM18 and @chooseworkSSA!

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's 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, 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.

Once you decide that you're ready to work, you'll want to spend some time considering the type of job you'd like to pursue. One way to start is by asking yourself:

• What kind of job do I want?
• What do I like to do?
• What skills do I have or need to develop to help me get this job?
• What are my earnings goals?

Answering these questions and identifying your interests, passions, strengths and skills will help you identify careers and jobs that are a good fit for you. This process will also help you set career and work goals as you seek the right career and job. It will also help you think about the supports and services you'll need to find and transition to work.

Today, we're sharing some ideas to get you started, as well as some resources to help you learn more about career options.

Know yourself

As you think about working, consider what makes you happy and where you're most comfortable. Ask yourself:

• Do I like to work alone?
• Do I prefer to work with a team on one common project?
• Am I comfortable answering questions or working with customers?
• Do I prefer working indoors or outdoors?
• Do I have specific needs for my workspace, such as the ability to sit throughout the day?
• Would I prefer a job where I move around a lot?
• Is there an organization I've volunteered for whose mission I had a lot of passion?

Understanding your needs and what makes you comfortable will help you narrow your career interests and target your job search for openings that match your preferences.

Identify your strengths

Whether you've worked before or this will be your first time working, you have knowledge and skills to offer an employer.

Sometimes it's hard to recognize our own strengths. You may want to work with your Ticket to Work service provider to identify skills and strengths that you may not even realize you have. Or ask a friend or family member to help you. You could discover that you're a creative problem solver, or organized and detail-oriented, or you're decisive and a good team leader.

If you've volunteered for an organization or a cause, consider what tasks you've done. Tasks such as sending emails or making phone calls to organize a project are valuable additions to a resume. Similarly, experience with a specific software or communicating effectively with a team during a community service project may help you stand out to a potential employer.

One resource that can help you determine what you're good at and find career options that fit your experience is CareerOneStop's interests and skills assessments and Skills Matcher.

Discover opportunities

Once you know what makes you happy and what you can offer to an employer, it's time to find job opportunities that make sense for you.

Do you need help connecting what you've learned about yourself to potential job opportunities? Your Ticket to Work service provider can help you explore career paths or job openings that fit with your strengths and interests and may even may be able to find training opportunities to help you develop or strengthen skills for the workplace. Another resource to check out is CareerOneStop's Occupation Profile tool to learn about career paths in a variety of industries like education, personal care and service, computer services and communications.

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, you can 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.

Earlier this year, we shared how one of Social Security's Work Incentives, the Trial Work Period (TWP), may help people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as they return to work or start working for the first time.

Have you completed your TWP? Congratulations! You are on the way to financial independence. This month, we are exploring what happens after your Trial Work Period ends and how Social Security's Work Incentives may continue to help you during the next stage toward reaching your financial goals.

Stage 2: Extended Period of Eligibility

Once you have completed your TWP, you get a 36-month safety net called the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, Social Security looks at what you earned in a month to decide if the work is "Substantial Gainful Activity" (SGA). Social Security can deduct the value of other Work Incentives, like subsidies or impairment-related work expenses, when deciding if your work is SGA.

Once Social Security subtracts the value of these Work Incentives, they compare the result to the SGA level that applies to the year that you did the work. For example, if you are not blind, and the work was in 2018, Social Security may decide your earnings are SGA if the income after those deductions is more than $1,180.00 in a month. If you are blind, the earnings level is higher. In 2018, a person who meets Social Security's rules for blindness is earning SGA if his or her countable earnings are above $1,970.00.

You receive a grace period the first time Social Security decides your work is SGA after the TWP. If Social Security decides your work is SGA, you are still due payments during a 3-month grace period. After the grace period, Social Security will suspend your payments for months that you perform SGA. If your earnings fall below SGA during the 36-month safety net of the EPE, Social Security will start your cash benefits again once you report the change, and Social Security updates your work record.

Once your EPE ends, you will continue to be due your cash benefits if you are not working or your work is not SGA.

Talking with a Benefits Counselor can help you better understand the Work Incentives available to you and how they may affect your earnings and benefits.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's 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

You can 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.

During May, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance brings awareness to mental illnesses and identifies and shares resources to help those who are living and working with mental illness.

This year's theme, Fitness #4Mind4Body, challenges us to understand that what we do physically has an impact on our mental health. Paying attention to both your physical health and your mental health may help you achieve overall wellness as you pursue goals on the path to recovery and work.

To learn more about your physical and mental health and find advice on how to take care of your body and mind, check out Mental Health America's (MHA) tool kit, which includes fact sheets. In their fact sheet series, you can learn more about nutrition's effect on depression and nutrients for better health, how exercise affects hormone and chemical production that affects mood, the importance of getting a good night's sleep, and more.

#4Mind4Body Challenge

Once you check out the tips, you may want to join in MHA's #4Mind4Body Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to make small changes to your habits that may have a major impact on your mental and physical health. To help keep you on track, they invite you to share your successes on social media and celebrate small changes with the community.

Challenges vary from #MindfulMonday, which asks you to set aside a few minutes of your day to practice being mindful, focus on your breathing and meditate, or #WorkplaceWednesday, which challenges you to create a healthier work setting for yourself by encouraging you to organize your space and take breaks from your computer screen.

Ticket to Work

During May, you can also check out some of our previous posts to find tips for staying healthy and managing stress as you look for a job. Plus, find out how Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program has helped people with mental illness find a path to work and financial independence and recovery:

• Cherie, who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, eased her way back to the workplace with support from her Ticket program service provider.
• Lisa wanted to support her family, but her agoraphobia prevented her from working. Using her Ticket, she now works from home and is financially independent.
• Lori has come a long way from the little girl who was paralyzed with fear. Her volunteer work caught the attention of an employer, and today, she works as a Senior Marketing Liaison.

Social Security's 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, you can 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.

Did you know that the federal government offers internships throughout the country – and that many are specifically for young adults with disabilities?

Today we'll look at a few of the federal internship programs that are available and show you how you can learn more about these opportunities.

Finding and participating in an internship may offer you the stepping stone you need to launch your career. And by interning with the federal government, you may build your skills and experience to help you find permanent work in government and public service.

Workforce Recruitment Program

The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense. Since 1995, more than 7,000 students and recent graduates with disabilities have received temporary and permanent federal employment opportunities through the WRP.

The WRP connects highly qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities with a variety of federal agencies seeking both interns and permanent employment.

Federal Pathways Programs

The Pathways Programs connect you with federal agencies looking for candidates with a variety of backgrounds and ranges of talent.

The Pathways Programs offers 3 options, depending on where you are along your transition from school to work. The 3 options, including the Internship Program, Recent Graduated Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program all offer a variety of opportunities based on your experience, skills and education level, from high school to doctorate.

Federal internships – available nationwide

Federal internships aren't just available in the Washington, DC area. Visit USAJOBS and search for internships or other employment opportunities with the federal government near you.

Wage reporting and Work Incentives

Keep in mind that if you find a paid internship opportunity, it's important to report your work and wages to Social Security. This is one important step to avoiding overpayments.

As you think about pursuing a paid internship or other work, talk with a Benefits Counselor! They can help you better understand how earning an income will affect your benefits and introduce you to Social Security Work Incentives, which may help you transition to work.

You can find a Benefits Counselor by working with a Ticket to Work (Ticket) program service provider, like an Employment Network (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. Or you can work with your local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project if you:

• Are working
• Have a job offer pending
• Are actively interviewing for jobs – meaning you've either had an interview in the past 30 days or have one scheduled for the next 2 weeks
• Are a veteran
• Are a young adult age 14 through 25, not necessarily actively pursuing work

Through a WIPA project you can talk with a Community Work Incentives Coordinator, who is authorized by Social Security to provide benefits counseling, discuss your work options, and offer guidance on how an internship or paid other work experience will affect your Social Security disability benefits.

For example, if you're currently a student age 22 or younger and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be eligible for the Student-Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). With the SEIE, Social Security will not count all or some of your earnings when figuring your SSI cash payment. Learn more about this and other Work Incentives in our monthly Work Incentives Wednesdays blog series!

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 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

You can 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 us for our next Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar, Ticket to Work: Working for the Federal Government! We are excited to welcome Commissioner Chai Feldblum of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to discuss federal employment opportunities that are available nationwide for people with disabilities.

Chai Feldblum began her service as a Commissioner of the EEOC in April 2010. In December 2010, the Senate confirmed her for a second term, which will end on July 1, 2018.

During her service on the Commission, she has focused on employment civil rights issues within the jurisdiction of the EEOC. Her particular areas of interest have been the employment of people with disabilities, pregnancy accommodation, sexual orientation and transgender discrimination, harassment prevention, the structure and process of the federal sector complaint system and strategic planning for the Commission.

During the webinar, Commissioner Feldblum will present information about working for the federal government, including:

• Special hiring paths, like Sections 501 and 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Schedule A Hiring Authority
• The mission of the EEOC
• What to do if you believe you have experienced discrimination

What else you'll learn

During the webinar, we'll also share more about supports and services that are available to people with a disability, including Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program.

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.

Register now!

You can learn more about the Ticket program, the EEOC and opportunities for working with the federal government next week! Join us for our WISE webinar:

When: Wednesday, May 23, 3 - 4:30 p.m. ET
How: Register online at choosework.ssa.gov/wise or call 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY).
You will receive a registration confirmation message with instructions on how to log in to the webinar. Please be sure to check your spam folder.

Questions?

Email us: support@choosework.ssa.gov
Call us: 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)
Visit our website: choosework.ssa.gov

When they first popped onto the scene, social media networks were a way to keep up with and share experiences with close friends and family. The people using platforms like Facebook and Twitter were usually young, and employers rarely thought about what job candidates were doing online.

We live in a different world today. People of all ages have turned to social media networks to spread their opinions, look for jobs and build relationships with organizations and recruiters. How you manage your social media presence is more important than ever, especially if you're currently looking for a job.

Today we're sharing some tips on using Facebook and LinkedIn during your job search — and how to think about your social media footprint.

Stay professional

Fair or not, most companies have the ability to find you online and check your social media profiles. Once you create a personal blog, set up a Facebook account or contribute to online conversations, it can be hard to erase a trail of comments or posts leading back to you. If your pages are public, it's best to keep the content you post and share professional.

Follow these basic steps to make sure that your pages are professional and employer-friendly:

• Do make sure your profile picture is a clear, appropriate photo of yourself. It doesn't have to be a professional headshot, but make sure it's a photo you'd be okay with a potential employer seeing.
• Don't post or share offensive content or language. In addition to being inappropriate, it may give the impression that you won't get along well with the team.
• Don't post anything personal that you would not feel comfortable sharing during a job interview. This may include disability information that you're not ready to disclose to a potential employer.
• Do consider comments you leave on other pages. Keep in mind that your responses may be visible to the public, even if your personal profile isn't.

Use these tools for your job search

LinkedIn and Facebook can both be used to help you on your path to employment. Networking is often key to landing a job, and LinkedIn and Facebook are effective ways to build your network and stay in touch.

LinkedIn is a free social media tool that's geared toward business and employment networking. Use LinkedIn to:

• Search for job opportunities
• Connect with recruiters
• Apply in real-time to positions
• Share your resume and work samples with companies and recruiters
• Keep current with hiring trends and employment data
• Follow company pages of organizations in which you are interested

As the largest social media site in the world, Facebook may also help you with your job search. Use Facebook to:

• Join groups that include people who share your professional interests
• Follow company pages for a better understanding of the organization's current projects and mission as well as to gain a better understanding of the company's culture
• Keep in touch with people who may be able to help you as you look for a job

Following these tips may help you create a social media presence for building professional connections and leaving potential employers with a strong impression as you look for work.

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, you can 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.

Best wishes for a happy Mother's Day from Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program! Today, we're showcasing Ticket program success stories about moms with disabilities and providing some tips to help you on your path to employment.

Working Moms

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits. The Ticket program is free and voluntary.

Through the Ticket program, you can work with a service provider, like an Employment Network (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, who will provide you with supports and services to help you find work and earn your way to financial independence.

In addition to helping you explore career options and assessing how up to date your skills are, your service provider may help connect you with job and skill training opportunities. Ticket program service providers may also provide tips on resume writing, including how to address gaps in your resume if you were a stay-at-home mom.

Ticket to Work success stories feature a variety of stories about people with disabilities, including parents, who have achieved financial independence with the program.

Rae-Anna is a mother of 3 and has worked as a nursing assistant; but after a car accident, she had trouble finding work.

"You don't realize how much confidence you can lose not working," Rae-Anna says. "I had no clue what to do in an interview, or whether I would be able to work in a capacity related to nursing again," she says.

After finding employment with the help of her Ticket program service provider, Rae-Anna achieved financial independence. She enjoys her role as a "Med Tech" and Personal Care Assistant. She helps with meals, medication, and personal care, offering companionship in the process.

"[Work] totally changed everything. I went from not working to having two jobs, being able to pay bills, and take care of the house in ways I wasn't able to do before. I can buy new clothes for my kids. I no longer have to shop for everything at the thrift store. It's nice to know I have choices. When I was on disability I could not look beyond the next day. Now I can make some plans. I'd like to get a medical assistant's degree. Before I didn't think I could get into school or pay for it. For the first time since 1986, I think maybe I can!"

Lisa's agoraphobia prevented her from working, but with help from an agoraphobia coach, Lisa eventually completed school and found work. When Lisa became pregnant with her son, she decided to stay at home with him. His needs pushed her to venture outside of her comfort zone: to the pediatrician, to the playground, to "Mommy and Me" classes. Each new experience became more comfortable.

As her son grew and she felt ready to return to work, she explored her options to help support her family. Using her Ticket, she now works from home and is financially independent. Working from home has helped Lisa manage her disability and find a path to recovery. It has also offered her the flexibility she needs now as a parent of 2 children. She is able to integrate work with running her household and says she has found the perfect job.

"Working makes me feel empowered. It has helped me grow. I do not suffer any longer from agoraphobia. I actually travel… for work meetings and look forward to the trips. I am now able to run a household while helping other people like me find their calling."

Considering work after parenthood

Lisa and Rae-Anna are just 2 examples of moms with disabilities who have achieved financial independence with the Ticket program. If you're thinking about working after being a stay-at-home mom, consider these tips:

• Determine your priorities and interests. First, think about why you want to work. Do you want to make more money or meet new people? Next, think about what kind of work motivates you. When your children were young or in school, were there volunteer projects that you enjoyed? Identifying why you want to work and what motivates you may help you explore career options and find an interesting job.
• Assess your skills. When you identify a career field, read job descriptions to learn what skills are required. Are yours up to date or do they need refreshing? Computer skills are especially important in many markets. Check out community colleges, libraries or online courses to prepare yourself. Remember: you developed skills as a parent! Parenting requires time management, organization, caretaking and other skills. Navigating parenthood as a mom with a disability may have also offered you the knowledge of the types of accommodations you'll need, such as a flexible work schedule or assistive technology.
• Spread the word. Let people know you're looking for work. Be specific about your goals, so that they know what you need from them. You may be surprised to discover that you have a large network In addition to colleagues from your previous jobs, you can talk with people that you've worked with on volunteer projects as well as friends and neighbors. They may offer insight on the industry you're pursuing — or they may be able to connect you with a professional in that industry to learn more about job responsibilities, potential listings and openings, or ways to build your experience, skills and resume.

We hope these tips and resources help you on your journey to financial independence. Remember, Ticket program service providers are available to help you along the way. Happy Mother’s Day from the Ticket program!

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, you can 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.