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Revised January 2020
To outline the role of DVR staff throughout the DVR case process when working with consumers who receive Social Security benefits and may be eligible for Ticket to Work (TTW) or Partnership Plus services before DVR case closure. The goal of consumer participation in TTW is to help the consumer find and maintain a job above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), thus working off benefits. In 2019, SGA was calculated at $1,220 per month.
These steps will assist consumers in making informed choices about working off benefits (using their Ticket) and how they would like to use their Ticket upon DVR case closure.
DVR staff at all levels have an opportunity to assist eligible individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.
DVR can help maximize a consumer's earnings and career potential through Social Security work incentive programs like TTW and Partnership Plus. Staff should remind consumers that there are supports and services available after DVR services end to continue to assist them toward working off benefits.
Ticket to Work (TTW) is a work incentive program that provides a path for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients to receive support from state VR agencies and providers known as Employment Networks (ENs).
An update to TTW legislation created a program known as Partnership Plus, which provides financial incentives to VR agencies and ENs to work together to provide seamless support for mutual consumers and beneficiaries as they exit VR programs. The goal of the TTW and Partnership Plus programs is to give consumers the resources, tools, and coordinated services they need to successfully work off Social Security benefits.
It is essential that DVR obtain accurate SSNs from DVR consumers. Please refer to the SSN Requirements guidance for responsibilities in obtaining accurate SSNs.
Throughout the case process, DVR staff should assist consumers who are receiving Social Security benefits (due to their own disability) and are interested in working off benefits.
If a DVR consumer is working with an EN, determine which of the three scenarios in the table below applies to the consumer and proceed as indicated. If the consumer was not working with an EN before applying for DVR services and was not working with an EN before coming off the DVR waiting list, proceed to the IPE Development section.
Process | Consumer Action Needed | DVR Staff Action Needed |
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Orientation | Consumer attends DVR Orientation | DVR Staff assist consumer through group, individual in-person, or individual phone orientation to DVR services |
Application & Eligibility | Consumer makes informed decision to complete the DVR application and signs ROIs for records, including Individual Work Plan (IWP) from the EN, if appropriate |
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OOS Waiting List (if in use) | Consumer can reach out to a Partnership Plus EN while on the DVR waiting list to begin receiving employment supports and services prior to coming off the waiting list |
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If the consumer was not working with an EN before applying for DVR services and was not working with an EN before coming off the DVR waiting list, proceed to the IPE Development section.
If a DVR consumer is working with an EN, determine which of the three scenarios in the table below applies to the consumer and proceed as indicated.
ScenarioScenario | DVR Consumer Actions | DVR Staff Actions |
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The EN services are meeting the consumer’s needs (no longer interested in DVR services) | Let DVR staff know that they do not wish to use DVR services | The DVR case file can be closed with a closure reason of "Does not require VR services" |
The consumer wants to work with DVR |
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The consumer decides to maintain the Ticket assignment with the EN while being served by DVR |
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Note: The Ticket belongs to the consumer, and assignment of the Ticket remains the choice of the consumer. If a consumer is unsure if their Ticket is assigned to an EN, DVR can contact Maximus to check the Ticket status. DVR may not provide services that are being provided under an Individual Work Plan (IWP).