Ticket to Work Helps Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Return to Employment

Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) helps people receiving social security disability benefits learn about their options if they are interested in returning to work. The Ticket to Work program is completely free and voluntary. Anyone who wants to enter the workforce can meet with the team at RMCEP to review their options.

“Plenty of people who receive social disability security benefits will never be able to return to the workplace, but this is a great program for those who can,” says Char Hirte, Ticket to Work Coordinator at RMCEP.

This program is open to people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Learn more about the process of returning to the workplace.

Ticket to Work Helps People Become Financially Independent 

RMCEP meets with people who want to reduce their reliance on disability benefits while growing or restarting their careers. This isn’t a program designed for people who want to earn extra side cash on top of their benefits, but instead made for those who feel ready to return to the workforce.

“We work with individuals who have been battling cancer or seeking treatment for mental health issues,” says Hirte. “They are now at a steady place in life where they can return to the workforce.”

The goal is initially to seek employment that reduces dependency on SSI or SSDI benefits. In the long run, some program graduates eliminate their need for these benefits entirely.

RMCEP currently has around 18 Ticket to Work participants and has helped seven people graduate from the program, meaning they no longer need to rely on Social Security benefits.

RMCEP Also Offers Benefits Advisement 

Hirte and her team help Ticket to Work program participants learn about their benefits and help them avoid overpayments and assist them if they ever receive overpayments. Contacting the Social Security office can be complicated, and it’s often easier to get answers from RMCEP.

The Ticket to Work Program also helps people understand how other benefits might be affected by the participant entering the workforce, like their healthcare and SNAP benefits, for example.

Additionally, when someone assigns their Ticket with RMCEP and makes timely progress, they do not have to go through the Continuing Disability Review with Social Security. This further saves time and stress.  

Returning to Work Isn’t Always a Linear Process 

While many people feel ready to enter the workforce, they may need a more extended transition period based on their health or the local economy. Hirte occasionally encounters people who feel healthy enough to work but realize they need to reduce their hours or find a new career once they return to their jobs.

Outside factors can also impact how people return to the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic affected those with compromised immune systems or people who wanted to work but couldn’t take on remote jobs.  

Hirte explains that many people who receive social security benefits want to work. She says that SSI/SSDI often doesn’t provide a living wage, and beneficiaries want to return to the workforce to earn more.

“Other individuals want to be productive members in their communities,” she says. “They want to feel useful.” 

RMCEP Provides Other Career Resources

Along with Ticket to Work, RMCEP provides other programs and resources to help people reenter the workforce. There are grants for people seeking education or training in in-demand fields and programs for people with barriers to entering the workforce (like having a disability).

The RMCEP career counselors can assist with resume development, guide people through the job search, and even stage mock interviews. This gives participants the tools they need to successfully apply for and land jobs.

All of RMCEP’s services are free to use. Let this organization guide your future as you look for a new career or return to your ideal work environment. 

Learn About Your Options With RMCEP

Anyone interested in learning more about the Ticket to Work program or potentially entering the workforce can contact Char Hirte at 218-850-1453 or email her at charh@rmcep.com. She is available to answer any questions you have and guide you through the next steps to start your career.

RMCEP is here to help you work, whether you are healing from a disability, returning to work after spending time in the justice system, or simply need resume assistance. Reach out online or find your nearest location and let us know how we can help you.