What the 2016 Ticket to Work Program Does

The Ticket to Work program, updated in 2016, extends the time you can test your ability to work without losing your SSDI or SSI benefits. Where your Trial Work Period gives you nine months to earn any amount without affecting your check, a Ticket lets you continue working past those nine months with ongoing protection — you keep your benefits while you work, and you can return to full benefits quickly if work doesn't work out.

The 2016 changes made the program more flexible. You can now use your Ticket at any point during your Trial Work Period or after it ends, and you have up to 60 months (five years) from when you first use your Ticket to complete your work attempt. The program is run by Social Security, and it's free — you don't pay to participate.

The core trade-off is this: you report your earnings to Social Security each month, and once you earn over the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for two consecutive months, your benefits stop. But you keep your Medicare or Medicaid for at least another 93 months (about eight years), even after benefits end. That safety net is the real value of the Ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • A Ticket extends your work protection beyond your nine-month Trial Work Period, letting you keep benefits while you test whether you can work long-term.
  • You have 60 months total to use your Ticket, and you can start it at any time — during your Trial Work Period or years later.
  • Once you earn over the SGA amount for two consecutive months, your cash benefits stop, but your health insurance continues for at least 93 months.
  • You must report your earnings to Social Security every month while using your Ticket, and missing a report can end your protection.
  • If work stops or you can't continue, you can request a new Ticket and start over, though Social Security reviews your case first.

How the 2016 Changes Affected Work Incentives

Before 2016, the Ticket program had strict rules about when you could use it and how long you had. The 2016 update removed the requirement that you use your Ticket within a certain window after your Trial Work Period ended. Now you can hold onto your Ticket and use it years later if you want to test work again.

The update also clarified what happens if you stop working and want to try again. Under the new rules, you can request a new Ticket if your first one expires or if you want to make another work attempt after a break. Social Security will review your case, but the process is simpler than it was before.

The 2016 changes also expanded the list of approved Ticket-to-Work providers — organizations that help you manage your work attempt and report your earnings. More providers mean more options depending on where you live and what kind of work support you need.

When to Use Your Ticket During or After Your Trial Work Period

You don't have to use your Ticket when ready. Many people use their nine-month Trial Work Period first to test part-time or low-wage work without any reporting requirements. Once those nine months end, you can decide whether to request a Ticket to extend your protection.

If you're earning close to the SGA amount by the end of your Trial Work Period, a Ticket makes sense — it gives you more time to reach stable, full-time work while keeping your benefits as a safety net. If you're earning well below SGA and feel confident about your job, you might not need a Ticket yet.

You can also use your Ticket years after your Trial Work Period ends. If you stopped working for a while and want to try again, you can request a Ticket at that point. Social Security will assign you a new 60-month window to complete your work attempt.

How Earnings Reports Work on a Ticket

Once you're using your Ticket, you report your gross monthly earnings to Social Security — the amount before taxes. You do this every month, even if you earned nothing. Missing a report can end your Ticket protection, so set a reminder or ask your Ticket provider to help you track it.

Social Security watches for two consecutive months where you earn over the SGA amount. For 2024, the SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries (these amounts change yearly). Once you hit SGA for two months in a row, your cash benefits stop at the end of the second month.

Your Ticket provider can help you understand how your specific job and hours affect your earnings reports. Some providers have software that tracks your hours and calculates what you'll earn before you submit your report, so you know in advance whether you're approaching SGA.

What Happens to Your Health Insurance After Benefits Stop

This is the biggest protection the Ticket offers. When your cash benefits stop because you've earned over SGA for two months, your Medicare or Medicaid doesn't stop when ready. You keep your health insurance for at least 93 months (about 7.75 years) after your benefits end, even if you're earning well above SGA.

After those 93 months, you may be able to keep Medicare or Medicaid under other rules — for example, if you're over 65, you stay on Medicare. But the 93-month may provide is what makes the Ticket valuable: you can work full-time, earn a real wage, and not lose your insurance.

You don't have to do anything to keep your health insurance during those 93 months. Social Security tracks it automatically. But you should confirm your coverage each year and report any changes in your address or contact information so you don't miss notices.

How to Request a Ticket and Choose a Provider

You request a Ticket by contacting Social Security — either by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at your local Social Security office, or online through your my Social Security account. Tell them you want to use the Ticket to Work program. Social Security will send you a Ticket document that shows your 60-month window and lists approved providers in your area.

You then choose a Ticket-to-Work provider from the list. Providers are employment networks (ENs) or state vocational rehabilitation agencies. They help you set work goals, connect with employers, and manage your earnings reports. Some specialize in certain disabilities or types of work. You can interview a few before choosing, and you can switch providers if the first one isn't working out.

Once you've chosen a provider, they become your main contact for reporting earnings and managing your work attempt. Social Security still tracks your case, but your provider handles the day-to-day communication and support. The provider doesn't charge you — the program pays them.

What Happens If Your Work Attempt Doesn't Continue

If you stop working before your 60 months are up, your Ticket doesn't automatically end. You can take a break and return to work later, still within your 60-month window. Your benefits will restart if you're not earning over SGA, and you can keep working toward your goal.

If your 60 months expire and you haven't reached stable work, or if you want to make a new work attempt after a long break, you can request a new Ticket. Social Security reviews your case to make sure you're still disabled and still interested in working. If you're approved, you get a new 60-month window and can choose a new provider or stay with the same one.

If you lose your Ticket or your work attempt ends, your regular SSDI or SSI rules explore again. You go back to the standard earnings limits and reporting requirements. But you haven't lost anything — you've tested work, kept your benefits as a safety net, and kept your health insurance. You can try again whenever you're ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Ticket if I'm already working?

Yes. If you're working now and earning under SGA, you can request a Ticket to extend your protection. Your Ticket starts when Social Security approves it, and you have 60 months from that date to complete your work attempt. You don't have to wait for your Trial Work Period to end.

What if I earn over SGA for one month but not the next?

One month over SGA doesn't stop your benefits. Social Security only stops your cash benefits after you earn over SGA for two consecutive months. If you earn over SGA in January but under SGA in February, your benefits continue. You're still protected by your Ticket.

Do I lose my Ticket if I take time off work?

No. You can pause work and keep your Ticket active. If you're not earning anything, your benefits restart. When you return to work, you're still within your 60-month window and still protected. You only lose your Ticket if the 60 months expire or if you ask Social Security to end it.

Can I switch Ticket providers if I'm not happy with mine?

Yes. You can change providers at any time during your 60-month window. Contact Social Security or your current provider to request a switch. Your new provider takes over your case, and your 60-month clock keeps running — switching doesn't reset your timeline.

What if I go back on benefits after my Ticket ends — do I lose my work history?

No. If your work attempt ends and you return to regular SSDI or SSI, your work history stays on your record. If you want to work again later, you can request a new Ticket. Social Security doesn't penalize you for trying work and returning to benefits.