Attend a job fair in May 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.

If you choose to attend online, read Making the Most of a Virtual Career Fair for tips on preparing for that type of event and leaving a strong impression with recruiters.

City Career Fair (In Person)

City Career Fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• May 9: Boston, MA
• May 17: Phoenix, AZ
• May 22: New York, NY

Choice Career Fairs (In person)

Choice Career Fairs organizes more than 130 job and career fair events throughout the United States each year.

• May 3: St. Louis, MO
• May 10: Seattle, WA
• May 10: Irvine, CA
• May 17: Chicago, IL
• May 17: Dallas, TX
• May 23: Albuquerque, NM

Coast to Coast Career Fairs (In Person)

Coast to Coast Career Fairs holds numerous in-person career fairs across the country each month.

• May 7: Atlanta, GA
• May 8: San Diego, CA
• May 15: Newark, NJ

CPA Career Center Virtual Career Fair

Accounting professionals seeking new career opportunities, students ready to begin their careers and professionals who want to learn more about opportunities for advancement should attend this online career fair

• May 16: CPA Career Center Virtual Career Fair

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Online)

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

• May 3: Charlotte Veterans Job Fair
• May 30: Western Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fair holds free career fairs in over 130 cities.

• May 8: Nashville, TN
• May 10: New Orleans, LA
• May 15: Hartford, CT

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.

As you transition to work, life skills such as problem solving and decision-making, effective communication, financial management and coping strategies become more important than ever. Many young adults age 18 through 35 are either living on their own or becoming more independent for the first time.

While parents and other family members of youth with disabilities play a large role in teaching these skills, there are many organizations ready to assist with additional life skills training.

Instruction may focus on subjects as broad as effective communication or financial management and banking to more specialized areas such as cooking, housekeeping and personal care. Many of the skills you'll learn can help as you search for and find a job.

Some organizations that commonly offer such classes include:

• American Job Centers (AJC): AJCs provide various types of assistance to job seekers under one roof, including training programs. AJCs were established under the Workforce Investment Act and are coordinated by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. You can visit a center in person or connect to the center's information online or through kiosk remote access.
• Community Colleges: Many community colleges offer life skills classes and even work skills programs for individuals with intellectual or learning disabilities or mental illness who are entering the workforce. Some of these programs are free. Contact your local community college to see what it has to offer.
• Centers for Independent Living (CIL): The term "center for independent living" means a consumer‑controlled, community‑based, cross‑disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services. Many CILs offer life skills classes. Visit ILRU's CIL Directory to find a CIL in your community.

How can Ticket to Work help?

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.

Ticket to Work service providers offer a wide variety of employment services to people with disabilities. If you're already working with a service provider, see if the organization offers life skills training or can connect you to a local resource that does.

To find a service provider, 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.

College can be challenging. And it's completely normal for students with disabilities to run into a rough patch at some point. If you have a learning and attention issue like dyslexia or ADHD, figuring out where to get support can take some work.

Unlike public high schools, colleges don't fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That's why there are no individualized education programs (IEPs). In college, you may not get the same level of support and services as what you might have gotten in high school.

The good news is that college students with disabilities are protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, so you can still get accommodations. And there are resources on campus to help, especially the college's Office of Disability Services. However, you have to be proactive and ask for help.

Here's how to get support for common problems in college.

1. General Academic Questions

   Having issues with selecting classes or understanding what you need to take for your degree? A good place to go is your academic advisor and the Office of Disability Services. They can connect you to the right person to answer questions and concerns.

   They can also help you find tutoring services as well as other information to help resolve classroom-related issues. In fact, it's a good idea to check in with an academic advisor once a semester just to stay on top of things.

2. Trouble Keeping Up in Class

   It's not uncommon for college students to have trouble with challenging academic classes. If you need help in a class or want to talk over one of your college accommodations, it may be a good idea to reach out to the instructor.

   The sooner you speak up, the better. That way, there will be time to turn things around if you're struggling. You can meet during office hours, or you can email the instructor to set up a time to talk. The key is to make a list of questions and concerns in advance so the meeting will be productive. The instructor might offer advice for studying and taking notes or offer different ways to approach the material covered in class. But if you aren't getting the help you need from the instructor, then you may need to take other steps.

3. Trouble With a Professor or Class Accommodations

   If a classroom instructor won't let you use an accommodation that you are entitled to, that's a serious problem. If you run into this, you should contact the Office of Disability Services. You can also reach out to Disability Services if you need another accommodation but can't figure out how to get it.

   It's important to be specific with Disability Services about the trouble you're having. It could be that the professor doesn't understand how the accommodation works. Or, it could be that the college accommodation works differently than it did in high school. Giving Disability Services as much information as you can will make it easier for them to help you.

4. Medication and Other Health Needs

   Many students with disabilities have health needs. For example, if you have ADHD, you might be taking ADHD medication.

   When you feel sick or have questions about medication, University Health Services can help. As with counseling, health services are confidential, as long as a student's life isn't in immediate danger. If you have any questions about medication, illnesses, or any health-related concerns, don't feel embarrassed. There are medical practitioners available who can answer your questions and help you in a nonjudgmental way.

About the Writers

Developed in collaboration with 14 nonprofit partners, Understood.org is a free resource and community supporting parents of the 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues. Understood empowers millions of parents through personalized resources, daily access to experts, interactive tools and a supportive online and on-the-ground community. Winner of the 2015 Webby Award for Best Family/Parenting Site and the 2016 Cynopsis Award for Best Branded Digital Platform, Understood is the flagship program of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). For more information and resources, visit Understood.org.

Graduating from high school and entering adulthood is an exciting time, but you may have questions about how to manage your money. Whether you're planning to work or go to college, today's& Money Mondays post can help you get a start on financial independence.

High school to work

If you're planning to work, Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program can help. 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.

If you're eligible to participate in the Ticket program, you can connect with a Ticket program service provider, like an Employment Network (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency,  who may help you find a job and transition to the workplace.

Your service provider may also have a Benefits Counselor on its staff who can explain how working will affect your disability benefits and identify Work Incentives that may help you.

Once you're working and earning income, consider how you're going to manage your money.  You may want to open a bank account and build your credit. Your service provider may help you plan by connecting you with financial wellness resources. Your service provider can also offer important information about your responsibility to report your work and wages to Social Security.  

High school to college

If you plan to attend college, you may have access to financial education through your school. Many schools provide workshops, courses, or one-on-one sessions to teach students how to become financially responsible. Ask your college counselor about available classes.

To help you pay for college, you may consider a variety of resources, including scholarships and financial aid. You can check with your high school or the college you plan to attend to find out about available options. You can also find scholarship options online for students with disabilities, including:

• Federal Student Aid
• AAPD's NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
• National Center for Learning Disabilities’ Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships

As a young adult, you can also contact your local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project to find out about working as a student. WIPA projects are another type of Ticket program service provider, which are staffed by Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs). CWICs can help you better understand your benefits and learn more about your options, including Section 435 of The Social Security Protection Act of 2004, which provides a 9-month resource exclusion of grants, scholarships, fellowships and gifts that are used to pay for school expenses for SSI recipients.

Learn more

As you start the transition to adulthood, it's important to have an understanding of finances. These resources can help you learn about money and set your own financial goals. Congratulations on starting your journey!

For more information and resources, visit:

• Money Mondays: Financial Empowerment
• The Consumer Financial Bureau's Your Money, Your Goals Toolkit
• The Department of the Treasury Resource Directory of Youth Programs

To learn more about the Ticket program or connect with a Ticket program service provider, 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.

There's something special about spring. As winter's cold melts away, many people find motivation in the fairer weather to do some cleaning and get organized.

Have you ever wondered if you might be able to organize your job search? Think of it like the traditional "spring cleaning" when you open the windows, dust the places you've ignored all winter and start clearing out excess stuff. It's essentially getting organized to make your search easier to manage and more productive. Today's post offers 10 tips to help you get started.

1. Create a dedicated space. Whether it's your home office desk, kitchen table or a folding card table, clear it off and make that the place where you do your job searching. Try to keep it free of other materials like books, mail, bills, magazines, etc. Having a space dedicated to the task, you may feel more focused as you look through job listings and review your resume.
2. Have your important materials close by. For example, a computer with Internet access and a printer are highly desirable. You may also find pens and paper, sticky notes, a calendar or planner, a phone with voicemail, a cell phone charger, and a file box or drawer helpful in keeping your search organized. 
3. Identify your career goal. Where do you want to be in 10 years, 5 years, or next year? It's hard to know where to begin until you know where you want to go.
4. Create a schedule. Block off a specific amount of time each day to focus only on your search. How much time will depend on your individual circumstance. For example, if you're not currently employed, you may want to consider making the search your full-time job. The important thing is to have a set period of time without distractions.
5. Set daily goals. Identify the basic tasks that you'll do during your scheduled time. It could be preparing or revising your resume, updating your social media profile on LinkedIn, reaching out to your network contacts, creating templates for cover letters, or sending thank-you notes to people that you've recently interviewed with.
6. List and research specific companies that align with your goals. You may sometimes apply to companies that are not on your list, but having a list of target companies that you have studied is an efficient use of your time. Research includes conducting informational interviews as well as Google searches. Some search engines will allow you to set up updates, so you'll get notifications based on specific keywords.
7. Make a list of potential contacts. Most people get their jobs through networking, so commit to get out and meet people. Request advice, their contact information, and suggestions for who else you should be talking to. Start with your list of targeted organizations. Identify who you know in the organization. Do you know other people who know organizational insiders? Then move on to friends, professional organizations, college alumni, etc.
8. Apply for positions. Keep your career goals in mind and only apply to those positions that match your goals, skills and experience. Applying to openings that don't align with your long-term plan, will waste your time and disrupt your organization effort.
9. Track the jobs you apply for. This can be as simple as writing down the information in a notebook. Or you can find tracking systems on the internet, create your own spreadsheets on the computer or write them down in a notebook. The key is to be sure you have a record. Keep track of:
   

   Spring forward with Ticket to Work

   As you organize your job search efforts, remember to keep in touch with your Ticket to Work (Ticket) program service provider.

   Social Security's 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.

    

   • Company name

   • Name, email, and phone number of your contact at the company

   • Date you submitted your application

   • Dates and times for any deadlines and interviews

   • Date you followed up after an application or interview

   • Status of your application (e.g. waiting to hear back, interview scheduled or rejection).

   • Also, keep the job description, application or cover letter and resume that you submitted to each company to help you remember the specifics when a potential employer replies.

10. Set weekly and monthly goals to keep you on track and motivated. Sample goals might include: set up 2 networking meetings; attend 1 professional networking event; contact 10 potential contacts from LinkedIn; or research 5 companies.

Remember, just like spring cleaning, job hunting is a process. Getting organized is the first step. You'll feel much better once you clear away mental and physical clutter and build your job-search momentum.

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.

As you write your first resume, you may wonder how you can start learning new job skills and gain experience that will help you as you pursue a fulfilling career.

If you're a student or have recently finished school, one option you might consider is an internship. 

Internships are short-term work opportunities designed to help you get hands-on experience in a specific work field. During an internship, you can learn more about the day-to day responsibilities of a certain job as you explore a field that interests you.

You've probably heard of summer internships, but internships can range anywhere from 3 to 6 months, and sometimes even longer, and some companies and organizations offer internships throughout the year. And while it's not always the case, many interns are considered for permanent employment when their internship ends.

Make the most of your internship

Are you applying for an internship or about to start one? Follow these tips to help you excel and make the most of the opportunity:

Ask questions: While an internship is a work opportunity, it's also a learning opportunity. The people you work with are there to teach you, but it's up to you to ask for advice. They realize you're new to the field and that they are there to share information to help you learn more.

Volunteer for work: Pay attention to the projects and work going on around you and offer to help someone in the office. Asking to shadow someone during an assignment will show that you want to learn. Don't be afraid to try new tasks. An internship is your opportunity to learn about different parts of the job. Ask for guidance from a peer or supervisor if you need help.

Seek constructive criticism: If you help a team complete a project or your supervisor asks you take on a project, requesting feedback on your performance will help you become a stronger team player for future projects. Don't take this feedback as a sign that you're doing a bad job. Instead, take notes and look for ways to improve your performance.

Make new contacts: An internship helps you learn the ins and outs of a job from people who have been in the industry and have experience in the field. In addition to learning how to address challenges you may face in the job, the people you connect with during your internship may prove valuable as references when you apply for jobs in the future. Once your internship ends, maintain this network by keeping in touch with the people you've met and asking if they'd write you recommendation letters.

Reflect on your experience: You and your supervisor may meet regularly or at the beginning and the end of your internship experience, but even if you don't, it's important to evaluate what you learned and did during that time. Throughout the experience, think about the skills you learn, whether it's how to use a type of software or better manage your time. Taking the time to think about what you learned will help as you update your resume and interview for future jobs.

Your internship may teach you that the field you thought you wanted to work in wasn't the right fit for you, and that's okay! Internships are a great way to explore a variety of fields and build new skills and contacts along the way.

Find an Internship

Check out these resources to help you find an internship that interests you:

• Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP): Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, the WRP links highly qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities to federal agencies seeking interns and permanent employees. Learn more in our blog post!
• Emerging Leaders Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities: This program is funded by the UPS Foundation and coordinated by the National Business & Disability Council to help undergraduate and graduate college students with disabilities find internships nationwide.
• Entry Point!: The American Association for the Advancement of Science's internship resource for students with disabilities who are studying science, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

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. Two people featured in our Ticket to Work success stories started their path to financial independence with internships. Read Josh and Amy’s stories today.

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.

Attend a job fair in April 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.

Before you attend, read Making the Most of a Virtual Career Fair for tips on preparing for an online event and leaving a strong impression with recruiters.

City Career Fair (In Person)

City Career Fairs provide the chance for local and national employers to meet and interview qualified candidates from diverse communities.

• April 4: DC/Virginia
• April 12: San Francisco, CA
• April 24: Chicago, IL

Hire Our Heroes Virtual Career Fair

Veterans interested in a variety of industries can talk with potential employers to discuss opportunities and experience, and review resumes in a chat room.

• April 25: Learn more!

Choice Career Fairs (In person)

Choice Career Fairs organizes more than 130 job and career fair events throughout the United States each year.

• April 4: Washington, DC
• April 5: New York, NY
• April 12: San Diego, CA
• April 12: Baltimore, MD
• April 19: Plano, TX
• April 26: Phoenix, AZ

Coast to Coast Career Fairs (In Person)

Coast to Coast Career Fairs holds numerous in person career fairs across the country each month.

• April 9: Pittsburg, PA
• April 10: Charlotte, NC
• April 16: Long Island, NY
• April 17: Lauderdale, FL
• April 24: Los Angeles, CA

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Online)

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

• April 5: Austin Veterans Job Fair
• April 17: Central Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fair holds free career fairs in over 130 cities.

• April 5: Chicago, IL
• April 5: Memphis, TN
• April 17: Overland Park, KS

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.

Beyond knowing your own strengths and experience, what else should you know as you prepare for a job interview? Knowing as much as possible about a potential employer should be near the top of your list. How should you get that information? In today's blog post, we'll suggest ways to research organizations and free resources to help you search.

Learning about the organization you'll be interviewing with is key, but this includes more than just knowing what the organization does. You'll also want to know about its leadership, culture, employees, stakeholders and competitors. By being well informed, not only will you make a good impression on an interviewer, but you will be better prepared to decide whether the organization is a good match for you. Fortunately, there are many sources for that information.

The organization's website. The website is where an organization tells the world what it does — what its products or services are. Take a look at its mission statement to get a sense of its culture and values. Dig a little deeper by looking at its press or media section where you can find its latest news. Also, look for the names of leadership to see if you recognize them. An organization's blog can be a good source of information about its current areas of interest and focus. Many organizations list some of their clients and relevant projects, which will give you a more detailed understanding of its work.

Internet searches. A quick Google search of the organization's name can show you information about its financial situation, community engagement, philanthropic activities and industry associations. You can also learn more about the organization's leadership — their backgrounds, speeches, public statements, etc. — via an Internet search.

Social networks. Check out the organization's Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles. Here you can find recent news, employee activities and insight into the organization's culture. You can also see how it interacts with its fans and followers. You may want to follow the organization's pages to make sure you get the most up-to-date news right before your interview.

LinkedIn. If you've identified the organization's leaders from its website or a Google search, you can also check out their LinkedIn profiles. In addition, when you learn the name of the person(s) you'll be interviewing with, use LinkedIn to learn more about them and perhaps identify some areas of common interest. You can also use LinkedIn to find connections you may have to current employees to gather additional first-hand information.

Your network. Do you know someone else who works for the same organization? Check in with your network to find out if someone can share their experience with you. They may be able to give you a more in-depth idea of whether this company might be a good fit for you and talk with you about some aspects of the culture you might not find online.

Once you've done your research, use this information to think about questions you might want to ask during your interview. You won't use all the information you've found, but asking questions based on some of the information will show your interviewer that you've done your homework and that you're truly interested in their company or organization.

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

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.

By Lisa Jordan, President of Human Solutions LLC, Buena Park, CA

As you may know, finding a job that's a good fit takes time, perseverance and hard work. If you've been out of work, whether it's due to a disability or another life event, confidently addressing any gaps in employment is key to moving forward in the job search process.

An employment gap is a period of months or years when you weren't employed. There are many reasons for gaps in employment. The goal in addressing a gap is to reassure an employer that you are ready and able to return to the workplace. Consider the following tips:

Be honest

It may be tempting to extend the length of time you were employed or add additional experience to cover a gap on your resume, but the consequences of doing that could be very negative. If the employer misinterprets the information, you could lose the opportunity for the interview or miss out on a job offer. So, always be honest about gaps that lasted longer than a few months and happened recently.  

Decide where to disclose

Non-sensitive topics such as travel, education, or volunteer work may be covered in your resume or cover letter. If you write a cover letter, use proactive and positive language when describing the gap. If you explain these gaps up front, an employer may be less likely to dismiss your resume. Disability- or health-related gaps, are best explained during an interview to reduce the possibility of discrimination or needless concern by an employer about your ability to return to work. To learn more about disclosing your disability, check out Disclosure: Let's Talk About It.

Fill the gaps

Gaps in a resume are less of an issue if you can demonstrate relevant or current work experience, including volunteer work. Even though it's not traditional experience, volunteer work is often recognized as a way to gain valuable experience and skills.

Be prepared

Some gaps are trickier to explain than others. These include periods of unemployment, which may or may not be health- or disability-related. In an interview, an explanation is always better than simply ignoring them. Having an explanation will help avoid leaving employers to draw their own conclusions. Take the time to practice your response to, "What were you doing during this time off or between jobs?" Your response will depend on your individual situation. Here are a couple of examples:

• "I had a medical issue that's been taken care of, and now I'm ready to get back to work!"
• "I left my last position to take care of a health issue. I'm feeling good and am eager to get back to work!"

A well-thought-out response may also boost your confidence and ability to answer any difficult questions with ease.

Remember to keep a positive attitude when writing your resume or during a job interview. Questions about employment gaps are not a sign that you're not qualified for a job. Instead, think of these questions as an opportunity to share the experience you do have, whether it's from past jobs, volunteer work or other experiences, and how it would make you an asset to the employer.

About the guest blogger

Lisa Jordan is President of Human Solutions LLC, a national Employment Network with the Ticket to Work program. Lisa holds an M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Psychology and has been passionate about providing workforce development and disability-related services to government, community-based organizations, and businesses for over 20 years. Lisa is the Board Chair of the National Employment Network Association (NENA) and proudly served in the United States Navy during Operation Desert Storm.

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

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.

Over the past year, the availability of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) programs has increased throughout the country, and now eligible people with disabilities can open ABLE accounts in 33 states.

But new programs in more states aren't the only thing that's new in 2018, and today, the ABLE National Resource Center (NRC) is sharing major updates to the ABLE Act.

These changes make it easier for account holders to save more money and plan for the future.

Annual Contribution Limit: To adjust for inflation, the annual contribution limit has been raised to $15,000 (previously $14,000) for the 2018 tax year.

Saver's Tax Credit: Account owners who contribute their own money into their ABLE account may now be eligible for the Retirement Savings Contributions Tax Credit ("Saver's Credit"). There are additional requirements that must be met to qualify for this non-refundable credit.

ABLE Financial Planning Act: If you are the owner of both an ABLE account and a 529 College Savings account (or a family member is the 529 College Savings account beneficiary, as defined by the law), you may now transfer funds from the 529 College Savings account to your ABLE account without incurring tax or penalty. However, the funds transferred from the 529 College Savings account do count toward your annual contribution limit of $15,000 for the tax year.

ABLE to Work Act: If you're an ABLE account owner and you work, you may be eligible to contribute above the $15,000 annual contribution limit. The additional amount allowed will depend on your gross income. The ABLE account owner is the only person who can contribute above the $15,000 limit. While ABLE to Work has been passed into law, many questions remain and individual programs may seek guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury before implementing it.

Ready to learn more?

During the March WISE webinar, we'll learn more about the ABLE Act and how ABLE accounts can help certain people with disabilities save money. Register to attend the webinar on March 21, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET.

The ABLE NRC offers information and resources to help you learn more about the ABLE Act and ABLE Accounts. Visit www.ablenrc.org to learn more.

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.

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.