If you have a disability and an employment goal, the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can provide services to help you prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. In many cases, once you get a job and maintain that job for 90 days, your DVR case closes successfully. But what happens next?
You May Be Eligible for Ticket to Work
Ticket to Work provides employment supports and services to Social Security beneficiaries who want to work and have the long-term goal to achieve self-sufficiency and work off disability cash benefits. It’s completely voluntary. You may be eligible if you:
When you receive your DVR case closure letter, you will also get a letter from DVR that lists some of DVR’s partner providers* that serve your area in the Ticket to Work program. Employment Networks (ENs) are agencies contracted by Social Security to provide employment services in the program. ERI PLUS is an EN under the Ticket to Work Program.
Important: You should select an agency and assign your ticket to an Employment Network within 90 days of your DVR case closure date. This will ensure you are able to get continued supports and services through the Ticket to Work program regardless of your disability cash benefit status.
Why Use Your Ticket to Work?
Employment Networks provide a variety of pre- and post-employment services that can support you in reaching your employment goals. Services range from:
How to Use Your Ticket
You can use your ticket with DVR or an Employment Network, but not both at the same time. You might first work with DVR and when your DVR case closes, you can choose to assign your ticket to an EN for continued supports and services. ERI PLUS is an EN under the Ticket to Work Program.
In most cases, you’re eligible for the Ticket to Work program if you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and are between the ages of 18 and 64. However, there are certain criteria that need to be met in order for you to actually use (“assign”) your ticket with an EN. You need to be either:
Remember, it’s important that you select an agency and assign your ticket to an EN within 90 days of your DVR case closure date. This will ensure you are able to get continued supports and services through the Ticket to Work program regardless of your disability cash benefit status.
Questions?
- Visit ERI PLUS or call 800-710-9326.
- You can also contact the national Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) or go online to Choose Work.
*Partner Providers = Partnership Plus Employment Networks (ENS). Partnership Plus ENs have an agreement with DVR that outlines who will hold the ticket and when. ERI PLUS is a Wisconsin Partnership Plus EN that serves all counties in Wisconsin.