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Choosing the Right Employment Network for You

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If you are ready to find work, Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) program can help. Employment Networks (EN) are public or private organizations that are authorized by Social Security to provide a variety of free employment services to adults ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) and want to work.

What does an EN do?

An EN offers support services to help you prepare for, find or maintain employment. Although services vary among ENs, they can include:

Career planning
Job leads and job placement
Ongoing employment supports
Assistance with requesting and obtaining job accommodations
Benefits counseling

Connecting with an EN

There are several ways to find an EN:

Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET to answer many of your questions about working, benefits and the Ticket program. A representative can also send you a list of service providers. To connect with the Help Line, please call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
Use the Find Help tool: Using this online tool, you can search for local or virtual service providers that offer specific services, such as benefits counseling or self-employment help; or those that serve particular disabilities or speak a certain language. To start your search, visit choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp.
If you're working with your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, once your VR case closes, the VR agency may be able to help you connect with an EN that can offer you ongoing supports and services to help you adapt to the workplace and understand how working will affect your benefits.

Call the Ticket to Work Help Line: Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET to answer many of your questions about working, benefits and the Ticket program. A representative can also send you a list of service providers. To connect with the Help Line, please call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
Use the Find Help tool: Using this online tool, you can search for local or virtual service providers that offer specific services, such as benefits counseling or self-employment help; or those that serve particular disabilities or speak a certain language. To start your search, visit choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp.
If you're working with your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, once your VR case closes, the VR agency may be able to help you connect with an EN that can offer you ongoing supports and services to help you adapt to the workplace and understand how working will affect your benefits.

The right EN for you

Take your time and talk with as many ENs as you like to find the one that fits your needs and career goals. Asking questions and comparing services can help you choose the right EN for you. Questions to ask include:

What types of services does the EN provide? Do they offer benefits counseling?
How will you meet? Do they offer virtual support and services? Will you meet in person?
Does the EN understand your career goals?
Are they familiar with the supports and accommodations you may need?
What skills does the staff have?
Has the staff worked with other people who have employment needs like yours?
Can they provide references from other clients?

Working with an EN

Once you and an EN decide to work together, you'll discuss your work experience and your skills and career goals to create an Individual Work Plan (IWP). Your IWP is a road map that includes your specific goals and identifies the supports and services that the EN will provide to you.

Learn more

To learn more about the Ticket program and other Work Incentives, contact 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. Or visit the Choose Work website at choosework.ssa.gov.

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career

choosing a provider