| Many of Deaf/HH asked me why too many Deaf have now SSD and SSI? -
Well, I hate to tell this. As you know some of them who unable to ear
which means he/her unable to use phone and speak, unable to speak, not
good doing due to problem understand, lazy, etc., etc.. Some of
Deaf/HH have a reason health problem which doctor ordered not to work
anymore. |
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
For Immediate Release
Mark Lassiter, Press Officer
410-965-8904
press.office@ssa.gov
Social Security Announces Improvements to the
Ticket to Work Program
The Social Security Administration issued final rules designed to
improve the Ticket to Work program. The changes will improve the
effectiveness of the Ticket program in assisting beneficiaries with
disabilities who want to work.
"These rules outline a new and improved Ticket to Work program and are
based on learning from our experiences, listening to input from
interested parties, and responding to their suggestions," said Michael
J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. "Beneficiaries with
disabilities will have greater flexibility and expanded choices in
obtaining the services they need to attain their employment goals."
The new Ticket to Work program rules:
- Include more beneficiaries under the
Program--The population of individuals eligible for a Ticket is
expanded to include beneficiaries who are expected to medically
improve.
- Increase incentive payments for Employment
Networks (ENs)--The new rules modify the EN payment systems to
create greater financial incentives for service providers to
participate, which will improve beneficiary access to services and
expand the pool of quality providers available to serve
beneficiaries.
- Increase the value of the Ticket--The rules
for Ticket assignment are changed to enable beneficiaries with
disabilities to take advantage of a more effective combination of
services from both State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and ENs.
- Synergize efforts--The new rules promote
better alignment of the Ticket to Work Program, the Work Incentives
Planning and Assistance Program, the Protection and Advocacy for
Beneficiaries of Social Security Program, and other Social Security
work incentive initiatives.
"Thus far, the results of the Ticket to Work
program have been less than everyone expected and clearly less than
Congress intended," Commissioner Astrue said. "We need to monitor the
results of today’s regulation closely, but it is highly likely that
Congress will need to revisit the statute in the next few years in order
to achieve the goals that Congress intended."
In preparation for the new Ticket to Work program, Social Security is
undertaking a major recruitment effort to increase the number of
organizations functioning as ENs. Social Security also is initiating
targeted outreach to promote the Program to more beneficiaries and to
encourage their participation. In addition, Social Security is
presenting at national and state conferences and bringing beneficiaries
and ENs together at local Work Incentives Seminars (WISE events)
throughout the country. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999 established the Ticket to Work and
Self-Sufficiency Program. The purpose of the Ticket to Work program is
to expand the universe of service providers available to beneficiaries
with disabilities who are seeking vocational rehabilitation, employment
and related support services. These service providers are available to
assist beneficiaries in obtaining, regaining and maintaining
self-supporting employment. Available in all 50 States and the US
territories, the Ticket to Work program is an important component in a
coordinated series of work incentives and initiatives that are designed
to help overcome barriers to employment often experienced by
beneficiaries with disabilities. The final rule, 20 CFR Part 411, can be
accessed through the Federal Register online at
www.regulations.gov . For
general information about the Ticket to Work Program, visit Social
Security's website--The Work Site:
www.socialsecurity.gov/work.
SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD
21235 410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/tickettowork-pr-0508.htm
press release from 5/20/08
http://www.ssa.gov - Work/Documents: Chart of Key Changes to Ticket
to Work Regulations 5-29-2008 doc
Side by side comparison of the new regulations,
released 5/29/08 |
Memphis
Deaf Community
