Do you have a job interview coming up? Congratulations! Job interviews are often an important part of the path to work and knowing how to prepare for them can give you an advantage during the job-application process.

Today, we take a look at one type of question you may face and show you an approach for answering that will help you stand out to an interviewer.

Behavioral questions

Often, interviews will include what's known as "behavioral" questions. These questions offer you the opportunity to talk about your past experience and offer specific details about how you accomplished goals or solved problems in a previous position, whether it was in a past job, during a volunteer project or an internship. Being prepared for this type of question can help you highlight some of your strengths.

Some examples of behavioral questions may include:

• How have you handled challenges or tasks in the workplace that you may not have had prior experience with?
• Give an example of how you solved a problem that a team was facing.
• Can you tell me about a time when you didn't achieve a goal and how you handled it?

STAR answers

The best way to approach behavioral questions is to use the STAR method. This helps you break down a scenario and explain how you successfully navigated it.

Situation: Offer some background on what the task or challenge was that you'll be addressing

Task: Define what your role was and what your responsibilities were for the particular situation

Action: Explain what steps you took or ideas you offered to help solve the problem or tackle that challenge

Result: Share how the situation was resolved, highlighting how your actions helped reach that conclusion

Here's an example:

If you're interviewing for a customer-service job, you may be asked how you've addressed difficult situations in the past when dealing with customers.

An interviewer wants to know that you're able to remain calm while dealing with a customer, including someone who is frustrated, while finding a solution that's beneficial to both the company and its customer.

If you've worked in customer service before, you can call on any experience you may have with customers attempting to return a purchase without a receipt.

Situation: "An unhappy customer was attempting to return an item without a receipt. While the customer wanted a full refund, company policy indicated that returns without a receipt were eligible only for store credit."

Task: "As the customer service representative helping him, it was my job to listen to him and find a resolution that both satisfied him and aligned with the company's policy of not allowing a full refund without a receipt."

Action: "First, I apologized for the inconvenience and asked for more information on why he wanted to return the item. Once the customer voiced his issues with the return policy, he indicated that the returned item was meant as a gift. I was able to talk with him about what sort of gift he was looking for and offered to help him find another item."

Result: "The customer accepted my help and I assisted him in picking out a new gift option that was the same price as the original item he was returning so that the store credit would cover the cost of the new item in full. He was thankful for the help and indicated that he was very happy with his experience."

In this scenario, an interviewer might recognize your ability to follow company policy while appreciating the value of a customer by apologizing for the inconvenience and providing additional help. While others may have just apologized that it was the policy, a resolution like the one above highlights that you made sure the customer felt taken care of and was encouraged to come back in the future.

As you prepare for your next interview, think about some of the projects you've worked on and challenges you've faced in the past. Then break each scenario down into the STAR structure: what the problem was, what your responsibility was in finding a solution, what actions you took, and how the issue was resolved. Thinking about these scenarios before an interview may help you feel confident answering during the interview.

If you're working with a Ticket to Work service provider who offers interview preparation help, talk with them about some of your STAR questions. They may be able to help you brainstorm some situations to discuss with a potential employer or hold a mock interview to help you practice your responses. That way, you'll head into an interview feeling like the star you are!

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 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.

For many people with disabilities, the idea of finding or returning to work sounds fantastic, but the hurdles to finding a job and working may feel overwhelming.

Whether you're looking for your first job or you've been out of work for a while and want to return, finding work is not as simple as jumping on a job website and searching. You have to know what to search for and how to find a listing that matches your skills and experience.

This is where it is especially tough to go it alone. Sure, you can buy books on careers and resumes, but that only goes so far. As someone who receives Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI), you may have questions about how income earned from a job will affect your benefits. Working with a career specialist can be costly — and they may not have the answers you need.  

But there's good news! Here is where Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program and all its vocational benefits can kick in!  Many people who receive SSDI or SSI simply are not aware that free job placement counseling is available through the program or have hesitated to try it out.

Here's why you might want to reconsider

1. The Ticket program is FREE and voluntary. Adults ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) are eligible to work with a service provider like an Employment Network (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency to receive free supports and services designed to help you find and maintain work.

2. There are hundreds of Social Security-approved Ticket program ENs and other service providers just waiting to help beneficiaries who want to return to work. Find the supports and services you need by talking with a few ENs and service providers before selecting the one that fits your needs. This way, you can feel confident you'll get the support you're looking for.

3. EN staff may offer help assessing your skills and abilities as they relate to current job markets and job descriptions. With this help, there's less guesswork about how you can apply skills from previous jobs, internships or volunteer positions to new opportunities. This eliminates the hurdles of "not knowing where to start or how to start" when entering the job market, whether it's for the first time or after a gap in employment.

4. Many ENs may have specialties, including virtual, or work-from-home, positions and self-employment. ENs understand that many people aren't looking for traditional office jobs. Instead, they can help you find opportunities that match your needs and goals. Working from home may offer you opportunities to work even if you don't have access to transportation or your local community doesn't offer many work opportunities. ENs who offer self-employment services may be able to help you develop a business plan and identify resources that can help you start your business.

5. Often, companies want to hire through the Ticket program because they want and, in the cases of federal contractors, need a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Recruiting and hiring through connections with ENs offer employers the opportunity to connect with qualified and experienced individuals with disabilities who are looking for work. Additional tax credit incentives available to some employers have also increased the enthusiasm for hiring applicants through the program!

6. Finding an EN that caters to your needs is a breeze! You can call the Ticket to Work Help Line to have a representative send you a list, or you can use the Find Help tool. The Find Help tool helps you search more than 600 service providers and filter your results based on many criteria. Find the EN or other service provider that's right for you by searching for ENs based on in-person or virtual services, your location, and even whether they offer services to help you find work from home jobs or pursue self-employment.

7. Transitioning to the workplace is a process. Why go it alone when you can have professional support? Once you find a job, your service provider may offer continuous supports to help you request reasonable accommodations, make sure you're reporting your work and wages correctly and answer questions about workplace issues that may arise.

8. Many ENs and other service providers have Benefits Counselors on staff. These trained professionals can discuss how working and earning income will affect your benefits and introduce you to other Social Security Work Incentives that you're eligible for. Work Incentives are designed to help you transition to work without immediately losing your Medicare, Medicaid and, in some cases, cash payments from Social Security.

9. Search for a job with more confidence, knowing that you have career-development and job-placement professionals helping you on the path to financial independence through work. Finding and transitioning to work is a process, and a Ticket program service provider can help you create a plan and break it up into smaller, manageable steps to help you succeed.

What are you waiting for? Take advantage and use your Ticket to help you find or return to work!

About the Author

Paula Reuben Vieillet is President of Employment Options Inc., a Social Security Employment Network for the Ticket to Work program. Her company, which specializes in Work At Home employment for those receiving SSDI or SSI, assists Ticketholders in 47 states with free job placement and career services and also offers community job placement. If you have any questions about their company, jobs in the Ticket to Work program, or their resources, you can email Lori Adler at ladler@myemploymentoptions.com.

Have you recently started working and earning income? Congratulations! You have probably heard of gross income and net income before, but now that you're working, it is important to know the difference. Today, we review each one and share how both affect your path to financial independence through work.

Gross vs. net income

Gross income includes all of your income before any deductions are taken. For example, if you are working in a job in which you're paid an hourly wage, your gross income is the hourly rate you're paid multiplied by the number of hours you've worked during a pay period.

For instance, if your pay period is one week and you worked 20 hours at $12.00 per hour:
$12.00 x 20 = $240.00. That means that your gross pay for that pay period is $240.

However, you may notice that this is not the final amount of your paycheck. That's because your paycheck will reflect your net income, or the amount of money once deductions — like taxes, employee benefits, or retirement plan contributions — have been considered. Taxes and other deductions vary by state and city, and other deductions may vary by employer. Your paystub should include an indication of what deductions have been taken and how much that deduction is. It's a good idea to review this information — whether it's by yourself or with someone else – to make sure your paycheck is accurate.

Reporting wages to Social Security

In the past, we've discussed the importance of reporting your work and wages to Social Security if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It's important to do this, as it's one way to help avoid being overpaid by Social Security.

When reporting your wages, Social Security requires that you report your gross income — the amount you've earned before any deductions were taken from your paycheck. Social Security looks at gross income to determine whether you're meeting or exceeding substantial gainful activity (SGA). If you receive SSDI and are still in your Trial Work Period (TWP), Social Security looks at your gross earnings to determine if you've used one of your TWP months.

Why net income is important

Net income (what remains of your paycheck after deductions are taken) is the money that you actually receive. This means that when you create your budget for living expenses, such as food, lodging, or transportation, you will base it on your net income. This is a more accurate number for the amount of money you have in your pocket — rather than the income you earn — each month.

If you're looking for resources to help you start making a financial plan, check out resources on the Choose Work! Blog, including: 

• Money Mondays: Advice You Can Take to the Bank
• Money Mondays: Financial Empowerment
• Money Mondays: Tax Tips and Preparation
• ABLE Accounts: What You Should Know

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 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.

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 April. Visit the organizers' websites for a full list of 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.

Employment Options (Virtual)

Employment Options is an Employment Network (EN) with Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program that specializes in work-from-home job opportunities and placement. Their upcoming virtual career fair is free and open to the public and will feature at least 9 employers that offer both work-from-home and onsite jobs.

• April 11: Online Job Fair

CareerEco Virtual Career Fairs (Virtual)

Many organizations list their events on CareerEco. Check out one of the virtual events listed below or find other events by looking at the full calendar. During April, there are a variety of career fairs taking place online.

• April 3: ISACA Online Career Fair for IS/IT Professionals
• April 4: Online Career Fair for Nursing Professionals
• April 23: Autism at Work Virtual Career Fair

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.

• April 3: Washington, D.C.
• April 9: San Francisco, CA
• April 18: Chicago, IL

Choice Career Fairs (In Person)

Choice Career Fairs organizes job and career fairs throughout the United States. Check out their website for a full list of career fairs happening this month.  

• April 3: New York, NY
• April 11: Columbus, OH
• April 17: Chicago, IL
• April 24: Dallas, TX

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.

• April 8: Charlotte, NC
• April 9: Baltimore, MD
• April 16: Long Island, NY
• April 22: Phoenix, AZ

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. Check out the full calendar.  

• April 11: Portland, OR
• April 16: Orange County, CA
• April 18: Las Vegas, NV

RecruitMilitary (In Person and Virtual)

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.  For a listing of all RecruitMilitary career fairs, visit their calendar.

• April 4: Foxboro, MA
• April 9: Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair
• April 11: Home Base Iowa Virtual Career Fair
• April 25: Minneapolis Veterans Job Fair
• April 30: Central Region Virtual Career Fair

National Career Fairs (In Person)

National Career Fair holds free career fairs in over 130 cities each year. Check out the full calendar to discover a career fair near you.

• April 10: Buffalo, NY
• April 17: Norfolk, VA
• April 23: Baton Rouge, LA
• April 30: 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, 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.

Did you know that Deaf History Month spans from March 13 to April 15? Instead of designating a single month to recognize individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, the observance is also planned to recognize 3 specific milestones in deaf history:

• March 13, 1988: Gallaudet University, a private university that is designed to offer all its programs and courses for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, names its first deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan. This was a major success for the Deaf President Movement and served as a moment of empowerment for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• April 8, 1864: President Abraham Lincoln signs the charter for Gallaudet University to establish the first school for advanced education of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
• April 15, 1817: The American School for the Deaf, the first public school for people who are deaf, opens in Connecticut.

The ADA and employment for people who are deaf

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers rights for people with disabilities in a variety of areas, including employment (Title I). So, as you think about work and ask questions about how to pursue work as a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, you may want to know about the resources and supports available to help you find and succeed at work.

For example, it's important to know that you can request reasonable accommodations, for both the application and interview process, as well as once you're hired and start working. What changes to your environment or responsibilities might help you succeed in the workplace? The Job Accommodation Network, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), offers employees who are deaf or hard of hearing, a variety of options that may help you with workplace functions, like communications, equipment operations and safety standards.

If you're working with a Ticket to Work service provider, like an Employment Network (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, they can help you request accommodations. They'll guide you through the process of discussing and disclosing your disability with the employer and may help you suggest what accommodations may help you best.

Accessible and assistive technologies

The availability and evolution of technology has created a wealth of opportunities for people with disabilities to succeed in the workplace. While not all reasonable accommodations require the purchase and use of technology, there are some devices and services that may help you transition to the workplace and ensure your productivity.

How can you find these resources? Here are a few options:

• The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's ODEP. It's focused on fostering collaboration and availability of accessible technology in the workplace and educates employers, IT companies and others on why accessibility is important and valuable. If you request an accommodation and your employer needs more information, PEAT offers employer tools like a Buy IT guide for purchasing accessible technology, staff-training resources and information about why accessible technology matters.
• AbleData offers information on accessible and assistive technology products, resources and solutions to improve productivity and ease with life's tasks. Their database includes more than 500 results for products and solutions for people who are deaf and hard of hearing!
• The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) enables individuals with disabilities, service providers and others to learn about, access, and acquire assistive technology needed for education, employment, and community living. This includes device demonstration to help familiarize you with the different technologies, and even device loans to borrow technology for a limited time to test if it meets your needs before purchasing. For those looking to buy assistive technologies themselves, ATAP also offers options to help you receive the technology you need for less – and sometimes no – money.

Support and services from 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.

To learn more about the Ticket to Work program, you can 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. A representative can answer questions and send you a list of service providers. Or you can use the Find Help tool to search for service providers on your own. The filters can help you find a service provider in your area that provides the services you want, and you can search specifically for a service provider with experience working with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

By working with a Ticket to Work service provider, like an Employment Network (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, you can access the supports and services you may need to find a job, transition to the workplace, and succeed on the path to financial independence. Working with an EN or State VR agency may also offer you access to benefits counseling. Benefits Counselors can discuss how working and earning an income will affect your benefits and help you use other Social Security Work Incentives to help you transition to financial independence with confidence.

By Marlene Ulisky, Disability Benefits Expert, ABLE National Resource Center

We've shared a lot of information about the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and ABLE accounts on the Choose Work! Blog. That's because if you're eligible for an ABLE account, it can be a powerful financial tool to help you save more money for qualified disability expenses. Today, Marlene Ulisky of the ABLE National Resource Center discusses and debunks some of the myths that they hear from people about opening an ABLE account.

ABLE accounts are Section 529A savings accounts that allow eligible persons with a significant disability that began before age 26 to save without an effect on most means-tested benefits. The savings grow tax-free and may be used for qualified disability expenses (QDEs). QDEs fall into 11 broad categories and may include expenses for housing, basic living or items or services related to health, prevention and wellness. Other examples of QDEs related to work include:

• Transportation to and from your place of employment
• Employment training and support
• Job coaching
• Interview preparation and resume development
• Costs associated with certificates and accreditation
• Assistive technology

To increase savings, family members, friends or an employer can also contribute to an individual's ABLE account. Money contributed by these third parties is not counted as income by public benefit programs.

At the end of 2018, more than 35,000 individuals established ABLE accounts in one of the 41 state programs, or the District of Columbia, with a combined savings of over $170 million. However, there are many other ABLE-eligible individuals who have delayed enrollment due to myths surrounding ABLE accounts. Let's take a look at 3 of the most common myths to find out what's true.

MYTH: If I save over $2,000, I will lose my Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

While it is true that SSI and Medicaid programs have a $2,000 resource limit for an individual, the ABLE Act offers an exception: The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is not counted when your eligibility for SSI is determined.

If you have more than $100,000 in an ABLE account, the excess amount counts against the resource limit. When the resource limit is exceeded, your SSI payment is temporarily suspended, but Medicaid continues. This special rule only applies if savings, other than in the ABLE account, do not exceed the $2,000 resource limit.

If you receive SSDI benefits, there is no limit on how much you can save.

MYTH: If I save all of my earnings in an ABLE account or have it directly deposited, Social Security will not count the earnings.

When you're working and depositing earnings into an ABLE account, Social Security does not change the way they look at your earnings. They apply their regular income counting rules to earnings and to other income. While direct deposit of earnings into an ABLE account can be used and is encouraged, it is not a way to avoid income counting rules.

MYTH: An unlimited amount of money can be deposited into an ABLE account.

The total annual contributions for all contributors in 2019 is the same as it was in 2018: $15,000.

However, a new rule allows ABLE account owners who work and earn income to contribute an additional $12,140 of their gross income into their ABLE account if they do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii can contribute even more — up to $15,180 or $13,960 more, respectively. Contributions grow tax-free, and the total aggregate account limit over time is subject to the state limit for 529 savings accounts, which currently ranges between $100,000 and more than $500,000.

Join us for the March WISE webinar

Now that you've learned the truth about these three ABLE myths, are you interested in learning more about ABLE programs? Join us on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 3 p.m. ET for the next Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar! This free event will include even more information about how ABLE accounts can help certain people with disabilities as they pursue financial independence through work.

Learn more

Find more information about ABLE on the Choose Work! Blog and ABLE National Resource Center's website:

• Getting to Know the ABLE Act
• ABLE Accounts: What You Should Know
• Understanding ABLE
• Money Mondays: Tips for Opening Your ABLE Account
• ABLE Materials Toolkit or Kit de herramientas del material de ABLE (Español)
• Strategies for Funding an ABLE Account

About the writer

Marlene Ulisky is the manager of financial empowerment at the ABLE National Resource Center and works at the National Disability Institute as part of the Training and Technical Assistance Team. Previously, she worked at Social Security for 35 years and the Florida Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, where she established the Partnership Plus program under the Ticket to Work program.

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.

To learn more about the Ticket program, 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.

Every March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and support the millions of Americans impacted by brain injury. The theme for the 2018-2019 awareness campaign is Change Your Mind.

According to the BIAA, every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. Today, we'd like to introduce you to one of those individuals, Josh. He experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a car accident at the age of 4 that would cause episodic seizures for the rest of his life. His TBI left him with questions about what his options for work would be and whether he'd be able to sustain full-time employment. Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program helped him find answers.

Active career goals

At age 18, Josh began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and considered where his life would be headed after he finished high school. Like most students, he knew he wanted to earn a good living doing something he liked after he graduated. But he worried that finding the kind of work he wanted would be challenging.

"It was [going to be] hard for me to find a good job because I can't drive a car, and I sometimes need extra time to learn things," he recalls. "People do not always understand my disability."

Josh learned from his high school transition specialist that he was eligible to receive individualized counseling and assistance that could help him prepare for the workforce, find a job and stay employed. These services, which are free through the Ticket program, are available to people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits.

The right opportunity

Ready to get started on the path to work, Josh's high school connected him to a local Employment Network (EN), an organization that offers free employment supports and services through the Ticket program. Through the EN, Josh received a skills assessment, career counseling, help with his resume, interview coaching, job-search assistance and job coaching. With this help, Josh landed an internship with Futura Industries, an aluminum manufacturing facility.

Although Josh had worried that he'd need extra time to learn or perform tasks, his EN helped him request reasonable job accommodations from the company. Josh's employers made sure he had the accommodations he needed, including extra time to process information, clear and simple communication from familiar supervisors, and a predictable daily work schedule.

The internship worked out well and in September 2013, Josh's strong work ethic and performance on the job had earned him a job offer for a full-time position with Futura Industries. He had become — and continues to be — a valued member of the team, with his supervisor pointing out that the decision to hire him was an easy one.

Josh walks to work every day and likes that his job allows him to move around and stay active.

Josh has seen marked improvements in his life since he decided to participate in the Ticket program. He is employed in a rewarding position that allows him to help his family, and he is happy to be contributing to his community through employment. He is financially self-sufficient, feels free of the limitations imposed by relying on a fixed income, and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend. Josh is living the life he imagined for himself and tells friends that they should consider the Ticket program so they can "... get a good job too!"

Learn more

You can learn more about Josh's full experience with the Ticket program by reading his Ticket to Work success story.

If you need information, resources, and support after brain injury, contact a brain injury expert through BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center (NBIIC) at 1-800-444-6443.

To learn more about the Ticket program, 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.

We've heard from many of you that you believe you've experienced age discrimination as you search for a job. Unfortunately, in 2017 — 50 years after the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was passed — there were more than 18,000 complaints of age discrimination filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). So yes, after all these years, ageism still exists.

That's the bad news. But let's look at some good news and discuss what you can do to counteract ageism in your search for employment or in the workplace.

The good news

As you may have read, the U.S. is currently experiencing its lowest unemployment rate in 18 years. This means employers have to look at candidates that they might have previously overlooked, such as older workers. In addition, research from the National Council on Aging has shown that these workers have lower absentee and turnover rates than younger workers.

In fact, according to a 2018 report by the EEOC, "Today's experienced workers are healthier, more educated, and working and living longer than previous generations. Age-diverse teams and workforces can improve employee engagement, performance, and productivity. Experienced workers have talent that our economy cannot afford to waste."

What can you do?

Let's face it, we cannot change our age. But what we can do is focus on countering assumptions employers have about age and ability and highlighting the strengths and skills you bring to a job role. Here are a few ideas.

1. Look at your resume
   
   1. Keep it under 2 pages at the most, focusing on the most recent 10 to 15 years. If you haven't worked in a while, follow these tips on addressing gaps in employment.
   2. Include your social media profile so an employer can see that you're comfortable with the technology.
   3. Take out phrases like "30 years of experience" in your summary.
   4. Focus and quantify your accomplishments rather than listing tasks or responsibilities. For example, instead of saying "I was responsible for purchasing," you might say "I saved the company $XX by obtaining volume discounts for purchases."
2. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional and up to date.
3. Use your personal network and online research to find companies whose culture is right for you. Some companies, for example start-ups, are more likely to be staffed by younger workers, but others value experience in jobs such as managers, analysts, customer advocates, sales etc.
4. Make sure you're current in your industry — and the tech that it uses — and that you're aware of the latest trends.
5. Be prepared with examples of your previous engagement in work and willingness to achieve your employer's goals.
6. Pay attention to your appearance. Avoiding dated styles and opting for clean, neat, and simple clothing and minimal accessories may help interviewers focus on your skills and experience.

 Finally, remember your attitude is everything. If you act motivated, happy and enthusiastic, people will pick up on your positive attitude. An upbeat personality makes you a more attractive candidate.

Filing a charge

If you think you've experienced age discrimination, you may consider filing a charge with the EEOC. A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting an employer or another employment entity, like a union or labor organization, engaged in employment discrimination and requests that the EEOC take action. This is the first, and necessary, step if you're considering filing an ageism lawsuit. Generally speaking, you have 180 days to file a charge.

You can learn more about filing a charge and what you can expect once you file from the EEOC's website.

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 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.

It's tax season! If you earned income in 2018, it's important to file your taxes. Today's blog post discusses a tax credit that may apply to you and free services available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any taxes or are not required to file. EITC reduces the amount of taxes you owe and may qualify you for a refund.

Do I qualify for EITC?

To qualify for EITC you must have earned income from working for someone or from running or owning a business or farm and meet basic requirements. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) do not count as earned income.

You can determine your eligibility and file and claim your EITC for free:

• Use the online EITC Assistant at IRS.gov to help determine if you're eligible. Information is available in English and Spanish.
• If you made $66,000 or less in 2018, you can use brand name software products through IRS's Free File and electronically file your return to claim your EITC. Visit IRS.gov to access the software.

Will a tax refund affect my SSI or SSDI?

You may be concerned that a tax refund will affect your eligibility for public benefits, including Social Security disability benefits, Medicare or Medicaid, and food stamps (SNAP). The law is clear that, in most cases, tax refunds, including refunds from tax credits such as the EITC, are not counted as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits. This applies to any federal program and any state or local program financed with federal funds. For SSI recipients, income tax refunds are not counted as income and all federal tax refunds received on, or after January 2010, are not counted toward your SSI resource limit for 12 months (current allowable resource amount is $2,000 for an individual and 3,000 for a couple). For more information, contact Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (1-800-325-0778 TTY) or visit your local office. If you are working with a benefits counselor, your counselor may be able to assist you with questions about how tax refunds may affect your benefits.

Who can help?

The IRS works with national partners, community-based coalitions and thousands of local partners and governments. These partnerships, also known as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, provide free EITC tax return preparation and tax help and tax education.

VITA offers free basic tax-return preparation to people who:

• Generally make $55,000 or less
• Have a disability
• Are limited-English-speaking taxpayers

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. To find your local VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887 or use the VITA Locator Tool.

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 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.

In recognition of Low Vision Awareness Month, we're taking a look back at one of our Ticket Talk podcasts to revisit the supports and services that may be available to you if you're blind or have low vision.

In this podcast, "Advice and Motivation for People with Low Vision and Blindness," we talked with Terri Uttermohlen of Social Security to discuss how Social Security's Ticket to Work program and other Work Incentives support career development for eligible people with disabilities, and specific supports and services for participants who are blind or have low vision.

What are Ticket to Work and other Work Incentives?

As Terri explains in the podcast, Social Security Work Incentives are supports that help eligible people with disabilities as they transition to financial independence through work. The Ticket program is one of more than 20 Work Incentives, and it's a free and voluntary program that helps people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Eligible participants in the Ticket program work with service providers, like Employment Networks (EN) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, to receive free supports and services to help them as they pursue and transition to work.

The Ticket program may be used alone or in connection with other Work Incentives, like a Plan to Achieve Self-Support or Impairment-Related Work Expenses, but Terri explains that using them together is often best.

How can Work Incentives help people who are blind or have low vision?

"Blind people [who receive Social Security disability benefits] can access any of the Social Security Work Incentives," Terri explains. "There are just a couple that are a little different."

Let's check out some of these differences:

• Once you start to work, Social Security will determine if you're engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), or earning enough income to affect your eligibility for disability benefits. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA is higher if you are blind. In 2019, the SGA amount for people who are blind and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $2,040. Keep in mind that the SGA amount for people who are blind does not apply to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Blind Work Expenses (BWE) is a Work Incentive for people who are blind and receive SSI. BWE include any expenses that you have in connection with work. Terri explains that this could include childcare costs, transportation, lunches that you consume at work, your taxes (federal, state, local), union dues, uniforms or equipment that are required, and other items or services you need that are related to your disability.

What type of career training might a Ticket program service provider offer people with low vision or blindness?

Terri explains during the podcast that services that an EN or State VR agency provides often varies. This is because you work with the service provider to discuss your work goals, experience and needs in order to develop a plan, often called an Individual Work Plan. This plan includes an agreement about the supports and services you'll receive from your service provider. "So what kinds of services you get, everybody has to agree on them and has to decide what's going to get you to where you want to go."

She goes on, "It's really important that you don't limit yourself specifically to a disability. You say, 'Oh, I'm blind. That means I have to be a piano tuner.' There are people who are blind who are piano tuners. There are blind people who are lawyers. There are blind people that do all kinds of things. And I think it's really important that you decide first, what you want to be."

Learn more

Check out the full podcast, including the audio and transcript, to learn more about pursuing work and accommodations — including assistive technology — that may help people who are blind or have low vision succeed on the path to work.

Because Social Security's Ticket to Work program is constantly evolving and its policies change, some content presented in the podcast may not be current. For questions and updated information, please 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.