Disability Employment Services
“For 40+ years, we’ve been building relationships with employers to better tomorrow’s workforce in Southwest Florida.”
The Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program assists disability benefit recipients in exploring employment and achieving greater financial independence.
GET STARTED (3 STEPS)
Step 1: Create an individual account in EmployFlorida to apply for jobs.
Step 1: Begin Registration Process
Go to www.employflorida.com click “Not Registered,” located in 2nd box on right side of page Then click “Register,”
• Then click “Individual”
• You must complete all required fields. When finshed click “Next” to begin entering personal information
• Complete all required fields
• Click “Next”
• Complete individual information page, then Click “Next”
Step 2: Completing your Full Registration
Click “My Individual Profile” on the left hand side tool bar
• Click on “Personal Profile” folder (1st folder)
• Click on the “Background” tab; and click on “Start Background Wizard” tab, This step will automatically transfer information to your “Resume” so that you do not have to enter the information twice.
• There are several easy steps, the wizard will walk you through them all, including:
• Entering your education
• Training qualifications
• Work history – enter as much of your work history as possible
• Entering job type
• Entering desired occupation(s)
• Entering desired worksite location(s)
• Entering desired salary, etc.
• Click “Next,” Step II “your background information” is complete
Step 3: Completing a full registration
Step 2: Obtain Benefits Query
Get your benefits planning query directly from your local Social Security Administration Office. The query is an essential planning tool, especially for those involved with the Ticket to Work program, as it provides: Cash Benefit information, health Insurance, Work History, Review Status, etc.
- Go to your local Social Security Administration office and ask for the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY), which is associated with form number SSA-2459.
- https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action
- It is generally recommended to call ahead to make an appointment before visiting for in-person services. You can use the SSA's Office Locator on their website to find the address and general inquiry phone number for your local office
Step 3: Contact Representative: Contact our Disability Navigator through the contact request for services section below.
Obtain your benefits planning query from your local Social Security Administration office. This is not your regular benefits Letter and must be obtained directly from SSA.
frequently asked questions
1-866-968-7842Â /Â 1-866-833-2967Â (TTY).
Passport Program
https://www.leegov.com/leetran/passport-(ada-service)and
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) https://www.leegov.com/leetran/td-service
CATConnect (Paratransit Service) https://www.ridecat.com/paratransit/about-catconnect/
Hendry and Glades County STREAM (Public Transportation Services)
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Â https://www.hendryfla.net/county_engineer/transportation_disadvantaged_services.php
Ticket to Work connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate, you will receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from authorized Ticket to Work service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. The service provider you choose will serve as an important part of your “employment team” that will help you on your journey to financial independence.
Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.
The Ticket to Work Program provides most people receiving Social Security disability benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services. Under this program, most beneficiaries become eligible for the Ticket to Work Program when they start to receive SSDI or SSI benefits based on disability. Beneficiaries may choose to assign their tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services necessary to achieve a vocational (work) goal. The EN, if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment.
No. The Ticket Program is free (and voluntary) for people receiving Social Security disability benefits. The Ticket Program allows you to receive vocational services and supports at no cost to you to help you obtain employment and work towards greater independence and increased self-sufficiency. Social Security pays the Employment Network you chose to work with when you achieve certain milestones and outcomes associated with work and earnings.
Yes. State VR agencies provide a wide variety of services and supports to help people with disabilities return to work, enter a new line of work, or enter the workplace for the first time. To locate the VR agency in your state, use our Find Help tool or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 / 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
You will continue to receive your benefits until you begin earning wages or self-employment income above the applicable earnings limit for the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance program. In addition, Social Security cannot perform a medical “Continuing Disability Review” to determine whether you continue to have a disability while you are participating in the Ticket Program, including receiving services from the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency, and progressing towards your employment goal.
How much you can earn before it will affect the amount of your monthly benefit will vary for each individual. This is due in part to the fact that you can subtract certain amounts from your gross earnings by taking advantage of Social Security Work Incentives. For more information on Social Security Work Incentives, check out the Social Security Red Book at www.ssa.gov/redbook.
You will continue to receive your benefits until you begin earning wages or self-employment income above the applicable earnings limit for the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance program. In addition, Social Security cannot perform a medical “Continuing Disability Review” to determine whether you continue to have a disability while you are participating in the Ticket Program, including receiving services from the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency, and progressing towards your employment goal.
How much you can earn before it will affect the amount of your monthly benefit will vary for each individual. This is due in part to the fact that you can subtract certain amounts from your gross earnings by taking advantage of Social Security Work Incentives. For more information on Social Security Work Incentives, check out the Social Security Red Book at www.ssa.gov/redbook.
No. As long as you continue to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you will continue to remain eligible for the same medical coverage.
If you currently receive Medicaid, you might be eligible to continue to receive Medicaid even after you stop receiving SSI benefits due to work. Your coverage might be extended in two ways. First, you might be eligible through a Work Incentives created by Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act. You need to meet certain other requirements to qualify for this Work Incentives. You can find more information regarding this program at www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/1619b.htm.
Your state might also have a program called the Medicaid Buy-In Program, which allows you to keep your Medicaid coverage by paying a monthly premium, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements established by your state. To see whether your state has a Medicaid Buy-In Program and whether you might be eligible, contact your State Medicaid agency. A link to the website for the Medicaid agency in your state can be found at www.nasmd.org/links/state_medicaid_links.asp.
No. If your benefits ended because you worked and had earnings, you can request that your benefits start again without having to complete a new application. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines whether you can get benefits again, Social Security can give you provisional (temporary) benefits for up to 6 months. This is because of a Work Incentives called Expedited Reinstatement. You can ask for your benefits to start again using Expedited Reinstatement for up to five years after you stop receiving benefits.
For more information regarding Expedited Reinstatement, visit www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/w
Request for Services
Step 1: Create an individual account in EmployFlorida to apply for jobs.
Step 1: Begin Registration Process
Go to www.employflorida.com click “Not Registered,” located in 2nd box on right side of page Then click “Register,”
• Then click “Individual”
• You must complete all required fields. When finshed click “Next” to begin entering personal information
• Complete all required fields
• Click “Next”
• Complete individual information page, then Click “Next”
Step 2: Completing your Full Registration
Click “My Individual Profile” on the left hand side tool bar
• Click on “Personal Profile” folder (1st folder)
• Click on the “Background” tab; and click on “Start Background Wizard” tab, This step will automatically transfer information to your “Resume” so that you do not have to enter the information twice.
• There are several easy steps, the wizard will walk you through them all, including:
• Entering your education
• Training qualifications
• Work history – enter as much of your work history as possible
• Entering job type
• Entering desired occupation(s)
• Entering desired worksite location(s)
• Entering desired salary, etc.
• Click “Next,” Step II “your background information” is complete
Step 3: Completing a full registration
Step 2: Obtain Benefits Query
Get your benefits planning query directly from your local Social Security Administration Office. The query is an essential planning tool, especially for those involved with the Ticket to Work program, as it provides: Cash Benefit information, health Insurance, Work History, Review Status, etc.
- Go to your local Social Security Administration office and ask for the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY), which is associated with form number SSA-2459.
- https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action
- It is generally recommended to call ahead to make an appointment before visiting for in-person services. You can use the SSA's Office Locator on their website to find the address and general inquiry phone number for your local office
Step 3: Contact Representative: Contact our Disability Navigator through the contact request for services section below.
Obtain your benefits planning query from your local Social Security Administration office. This is not your regular benefits Letter and must be obtained directly from SSA.
Would you like to get started today?
If you are disabled and would like to get back to work to earn additional income, please contact our Disability Navigator for more information.Â