Like many others, when Sam applied for SSDI he was denied benefits but was successful in the appeal process to obtain benefits retroactively. Sam has been doing pretty good and would love to get back into the work force. He worries that if he starts working he would lose his SSDI and then not be able to get back on the program. He also worries that he would also lose his Medicare benefits and what if he has a set back and needs Medical care. Sam simply does not have the resources and back up system to take such a risk.

This is the dilemma for many people who are disabled and on SSDI.

Well, there is an option: THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM. Not perfect and quite frankly somewhat complicated but it can work. There is hope.

The Ticket to Work Program provides most people receiving Social Security benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services. Under this program the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues tickets to eligible beneficiaries who, in turn, may choose to assign those tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services necessary to achieve a vocational (work) goal. The EN, if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment.

Also, a beneficiary receiving Medicare because of participation in SSDI can continue to receive free Medicare Part A services for an additional period of time.

For for more details on the Ticket to Work program, go to: http://www.ssa.gov/work/.