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 can be accessed through the Federal Register online at www.regulations.gov .
May 21, 2008
Press Release On Ticket To Work
Miami Herald On immigration Enforcement
Buffalo News On Backlogs
Karen Furman’s son, Kelvin, was 10 when she applied to get federal income assistance for parents with disabled children. Kelvin is now 14, living in a group home and still waiting for the government to decide if he’s disabled.
The Buffalo Social Security hearing office, where Furman filed her claim, is so overwhelmed with cases that people wait an average of 669 days before a judge even hears their case.
In other words, not much has changed a year after The Buffalo News reported that people had to wait 688 days for an appeal hearing in Buffalo when they apply for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability benefits.
Upcoming Ticket To Work Events
I predict that these events will be poorly attended. Ticket to Work is costing a lot of money and doing almost nothing to held anyone other than some contractors. It is past time for Congress to abandon its illusions. If you require people to be half dead or fully crazy to get on Social Security disability benefits, you cannot realistically expect them to go back to work. At a time when the Social Security Administration cannot answer its phones, Ticket to Work is an almost criminal waste of money.
May 20, 2008
FY 2009 Budget Situation
House and Senate conferees reached an agreement on a Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, although details were not made public. ...
Both Houses are expected to vote on the FY 2009 Budget Resolution (BR) this week. Even if passed, the BR may have little practical effect since the Democratic leadership in both Houses has sent signals that few, if any, FY 2009 appropriations bills will be seriously addressed until President Bush leaves office next January
Detroit Free Press On Immigration Enforcement
Whether it's regarded as Big Brother or a big improvement, the plan [to require Social s is getting a good vetting on Capitol Hill. It has enormous implications for employers and the Social Security Administration, which would conduct the background checks.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the plan, says the legislation would create a no-work list in the Washington bureaucracy.
"Americans should not have to ask their federal government if they have permission to accept a new job," said Caroline Fredrickson, the director of the ACLU's Washington legislative office. Others fear the assignment would overwhelm the Social Security Administration, which is already lagging in its work "Disability cases are piling up, and needy people are waiting years to receive their benefits," said Barbara Kennelly, president and chief executive officer of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
New Final Regs On Ticket To Work
India Eager For Totalization Treaty
INDIA is trying to expedite a totalisation agreement with the US that would exempt Indian professionals working for a limited period in that country from paying mandatory contributions for social security. India has included discussions on the social security agreement (SSA) in the Indo-US bilateral trade talks launched recently.
Sources said India is attempting to link progress in the agreement to the bilateral investment treaty (BIT) being worked out between the two sides. Since the US is keen on BIT, India is hopeful that linking the two would ensure the totalisation agreement would also be worked out. Indian professionals could save a total of $1 billion they contribute to social security annually.
Official sources told ET a team of officials from the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and the commerce and industry ministry will visit the US soon to discuss the pact. They would take forward the talks that took place in India earlier this year. Both sides are working on the pre-requisites and the content of the proposed pact. Sources said notes would be exchanged by the two sides in the next meeting.
“India is very keen on signing a totalisation agreement with the US. We have been trying to persuade the US for a long time. Now that the discussions are taking place in a structured manner, we hope something will work out,” an official said.
The US has signed totalisation agreements with 16 countries. However, it has been hesitating to sign one with India as the country’s social security structure is vastly different from the US social security net. US officials have also met officials from the Employee’s State Insurance Corporation and provident fund commission of India.