My Ticket is a work incentive program that lets you keep some or all of your benefits while you work

My Ticket to Work is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that removes the usual earnings limits and work rules that normally end your disability benefits. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because of a disability, My Ticket lets you test your ability to work without losing your cash payment or health insurance right away.

The program is free. You do not pay to join, and you do not pay a representative to help you use it. The core trade-off is this: you agree to work toward self-support, and in return, the SSA gives you a longer runway before it reviews whether you are still disabled. During that time, you can earn money without the usual benefit reductions kicking in when ready.

My Ticket is voluntary. You can decline it, ignore it, or leave it at any time. If you decide it is not working for you, your original benefit rules go back into effect. The program exists because the SSA recognizes that returning to work is not a straight line — you may need months to find a job, test whether you can handle the hours, or figure out whether your disability makes certain work impossible.

Key Takeaways

  • My Ticket removes the earnings limit that normally causes your SSDI or SSI to reduce or stop, letting you work and earn without an when ready benefit cut.
  • You must have a ticket (a document mailed to you by SSA) and enroll in the program through an approved Work Incentive Planning and information (WIPA) project or Employment Network (EN) in your state.
  • The program lasts up to 60 months, during which the SSA will not review your medical condition to see if you are still disabled — a protection called "expedited reinstatement."
  • If your work attempt does not succeed, you can return to your original benefit level without reapplying or waiting for a new medical review.
  • You keep your health insurance (Medicare or Medicaid) throughout the program, even if your earnings would normally cause you to lose it.

Who receives a My Ticket and how it arrives

The SSA mails My Ticket documents to people who receive SSDI or SSI and are between 14 and 64 years old. You do not request it — SSA sends it automatically. The ticket arrives as a physical letter with a ticket number and instructions. If you have moved and did not receive yours, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to ask them to mail a replacement or to confirm whether one was sent to your address.

Not everyone who receives SSDI or SSI gets a ticket. The SSA prioritizes people who have worked recently, who have expressed interest in work, or who are younger and have a longer working life ahead. If you do not receive a ticket, you can still use other work incentives — such as the Student Earned Income Exclusion or Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) — but My Ticket offers the longest protection period and the fewest restrictions.

How the earnings limit works under My Ticket

Under normal SSDI rules, your benefit reduces by $1 for every $2 you earn above a monthly threshold (called substantial gainful activity, or SGA). Under SSI rules, your benefit reduces by $1 for every $2 you earn above a much lower threshold. These reductions can eliminate your benefit entirely if you earn enough.

When you enroll in My Ticket, those reduction rules pause. You can earn any amount without your monthly cash benefit changing. Your health insurance (Medicare for SSDI recipients, Medicaid for SSI recipients) continues regardless of how much you earn. This protection lasts for the full duration of your ticket — up to 60 months from the date you enroll.

After your ticket expires or you choose to end it, the normal earnings rules go back into effect. If you are still working and earning above the SGA threshold, your benefit will reduce or stop. However, you have a second protection called expedited reinstatement: if you lose your job or your earnings drop, you can restart your benefit without a new medical review, as long as you ask within five years of your ticket ending.

How to enroll in My Ticket

You cannot enroll directly with the SSA. Instead, you must work with an approved organization in your state. There are two types: a Work Incentive Planning and information (WIPA) project, which is free and does not represent you in ongoing work, and an Employment Network (EN), which is also free and may help you find and keep a job.

To find the WIPA or EN in your state, visit the SSA's official Work Incentives Planning and information website or call 1-866-YOUR-PLAN (1-866-968-7526). You will give them your ticket number and basic information. They will explain how the program works in your state, answer questions about your specific situation, and help you sign the enrollment paperwork. The entire process usually takes one appointment.

Once you enroll, the organization sends your enrollment to the SSA, and your ticket becomes active. You will receive a confirmation letter from SSA with your ticket status. From that point forward, you can work and earn without the normal benefit reductions. You do not have to report your earnings to SSA during the ticket period — the organization you enrolled with handles that communication.

What happens to your health insurance during My Ticket

If you receive SSDI, you have Medicare. If you receive SSI, you have Medicaid. Under My Ticket, both continue for the full 60-month period, no matter how much you earn. This is one of the program's biggest protections, because losing health insurance is often what stops people from working — they cannot afford to lose coverage if their disability requires ongoing treatment.

After your ticket ends, your health insurance rules return to normal. For SSDI, Medicare continues as long as you remain on SSDI, even if you are working. For SSI, Medicaid may continue under your state's rules, which vary — some states continue it if you earn below a certain amount, others continue it automatically for a period after you leave SSI. Contact your state Medicaid office or your SSA representative to understand your state's rules before your ticket expires.

What happens if your work attempt does not succeed

If you enroll in My Ticket, work for a few months, and then realize you cannot sustain the job because of your disability, you can end your ticket and return to your original benefit level. You do not have to reapply, and you do not have to wait for a new medical review. This is called expedited reinstatement, and it is automatic for anyone who ends their ticket within 60 months of enrollment.

To end your ticket, contact the organization you enrolled with or call SSA directly. Your cash benefit will restart at the same level it was before you enrolled (adjusted for cost-of-living increases). The process usually takes two to four weeks. If you have earned money during your ticket period, SSA will not try to recoup any of it — the earnings are yours to keep.

If you want to try working again after your ticket ends, you can use other work incentives, such as PASS or the Student Earned Income Exclusion, depending on your age and situation. You cannot get another My Ticket, but the SSA has other tools designed for people who want to test work multiple times.

How My Ticket differs across states

My Ticket itself is a federal program, so the basic rules are the same everywhere. However, the organizations that enroll you — the WIPA projects and Employment Networks — vary by state in how much support they offer and how quickly they can see you. Some states have robust WIPA programs with short wait times; others have longer queues or fewer EN options.

Additionally, your state's Medicaid rules affect what happens to your health insurance after your ticket ends. Some states continue Medicaid for people who leave SSI due to earnings; others do not. Before you enroll, ask the WIPA or EN in your state what the health insurance situation looks like after 60 months, so you can plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use My Ticket if I am already working?

Yes. If you are working and your earnings are currently reducing your benefit, enrolling in My Ticket will stop those reductions when ready. Your benefit will return to its full amount, and you will keep it for the full 60-month period regardless of how much you earn. This is one of the most common reasons people enroll.

What if I do not have my ticket number?

Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you a replacement or confirm the number. You can also ask the WIPA or EN in your state to look it up for you — they have access to SSA records and can retrieve it during your enrollment appointment.

Can I enroll in My Ticket if I am on SSI instead of SSDI?

Yes. My Ticket works for both SSDI and SSI recipients. The earnings protection and health insurance continuation are the same. However, SSI has additional rules about resources (money and property you own), so ask your WIPA or EN whether your work earnings might affect your resource limit.

What happens to my ticket if I move to a different state?

Your ticket remains valid and active. However, you may want to contact the WIPA or EN in your new state to let them know you have moved, so they can help you understand how your new state's Medicaid rules work and connect you with local employment resources if you need them.

Can I lose my disability benefits while I am on My Ticket?

The SSA will not review your medical condition during your 60-month ticket period, so you cannot lose your benefits due to a medical review. However, if you report a change in your condition or the SSA discovers you were not actually disabled when you enrolled, they can still take action. Be honest with the SSA and your healthcare providers about your condition.