No. Participation in the Ticket to Work Program is completely free and voluntary for individuals who receive Social Security disability benefits. Through this program, you can access career counseling, job training, and employment support services at no charge, helping you prepare for, find, and maintain meaningful work while moving toward greater financial independence.

The TTW trial period was designed with this very concern in mind. Your SSDI benefits may be restarted without needing to file a brand-new application. The reinstatement is available for up to five years.

No. As long as you continue receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will remain eligible for your Medicaid benefits.
Even if you stop receiving SSI because of increased earnings, you may still qualify to keep your Medicaid coverage. In many cases, coverage can continue under special Work Incentives authorized by Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act, provided you meet specific eligibility requirements.

Yes. You can use your Ticket to access services and supports designed to help you launch a business or become self-employed. If self-employment is your goal, discuss this with the Employment Network (EN) you’re considering working with as early as possible. Keep in mind that not all ENs handle self-employment cases, and some may decide not to accept a Ticket assignment for that type of work goal.

No. Your Medicare eligibility continues as long as you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. When your earnings increase to a point that your SSDI payments stop, specific Work Incentives may allow you to keep your Medicare coverage for an extended period. In fact, individuals who have Medicare can usually maintain their health coverage for at least 93 months after the final month of their Trial Work Period.

No. If your benefits ended as a result of working and earning income, you may be able to have them reinstated without submitting a new application. Through a Work Incentive known as Expedited Reinstatement, you can request to have your benefits restarted within five years of when they stopped. While the Social Security Administration reviews your request, you may receive provisional (temporary) benefits for up to six months.

The rules for work under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are different from those for SSDI. There’s no Trial Work Period or Extended Period of Eligibility with SSI. Instead, Social Security disregards the first $65 of your earned income each month, then reduces your SSI payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount.

Most people still gain financially because their earnings usually more than make up for the SSI reduction. In many cases, you can also keep your Medicaid coverage even if your SSI payments stop through special provisions like Section 1619(b), depending on your state’s regulations.

Bottom line: Working does not immediately end your benefits. The process is gradual and designed with built-in safety nets to support your transition to employment.

The Ticket to Work Program was created to support people who want to work but have concerns about losing their benefits or health coverage. Participation is always your choice, and you decide how and when to explore employment.

Through the program, you can receive personalized guidance to help you understand your work options, develop career goals, and navigate the transition to employment. You will also receive clear information about how working may affect your SSDI or SSI benefits and your Medicare or Medicaid coverage, so there are no surprises.

Built in work incentives act as safety nets, allowing you to test your ability to work while your benefits and health coverage continue. This approach gives you the time and support needed to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.