Ticket to Work

The Ticket to Work is coming to Colorado and in anticipation of the rollout of “ticket” we are providing you with some valuable information to make your job easier.  Here are some facts that you need to know.

·        TICKET RELEASE SCHEDULE

The tickets are scheduled for release February 6, 2002 and following this schedule:

Colorado has 85,000 individuals selected to receive tickets.   If your customer wants a ticket immediately, have them call Maximus and request a ticket on “Demand”.   The chart below shows ticket selections by service area.

  You can obtain counts of ticket selections by zip code on the Maximus web site at www.yourtickettowork.com by clicking on ”Distribution of Beneficiaries.”  Select Colorado state without selecting impairment, then select your county, and then select each zip code.  You may also get counts by impairment.  Please note that each approved employment network (EN) will receive a listing of claimants who have received “tickets” in their service area.  They may use this information to solicit participation by claimants for their services.

·        TICKET TO WORK LEGISLATION AND PROCESS OVERVIEW

Below is a short overview of the Ticket to Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA).  POMS instructions should be received in the field before the end of the month.  A good source for information on ‘Ticket to Work’ subjects is the OESP web site at www.ssa.gov/work .

The ticket to work program has not and will not replace any of our current work incentives.  What it has done is added additional services, through grants awarded to community based organizations, to provide our disability beneficiaries with access to benefits planning, outreach and assistance services.  These services will be provided through the BPAOs listed below.   Through the services provided by the BPAOs and employment networks our beneficiaries will have a better opportunity to return to work if they have that desire.

 It also provides for Protection and Advocacy systems to assist individuals using the “Ticket” to obtain advice if there is a problem in receiving the services they feel they need.

It is our responsibility to help our customers as best we can.  Please also read the handout and view the IVT training that is being provided for you.

·        PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE TICKET TO WORK

Maximus will provide detailed information to beneficiaries regarding the Ticket Program, for example, Benefit planning and Employment Networks in their area.  However we are providing this information for you, so you can help your customer.

Maximus -   1-866-968-7842 or TDD 1-866-833-2967

·        BENEFIT PLANNING, ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH (BPAOS)

There are Benefit Planning, Assistance and Outreach grantees serving all ticket and non-ticket areas.  The list below is Colorado’s benefit planners who provide services for ticket holders free of charge:

Employment Works/ CP of Colorado

North East Colorado - Sharline Donaldson - 303-691-9339

North West Colorado - Natalie Alden - 970-824-5138

South West Colorado - Jeff Shewmake - 970-259-7983

South East Colorado - Mark Sullivan - 303-752-5820 X348

Or toll free    1-877-772-2982

·        PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES (P&As)

There are Protection and advocacy organizations in all ticket and non-ticket areas.  The organization listed below is for Colorado.

The Legal Center                                                303-722-0300

455 Sherman Street, Suite 130                        TDD: 1-800-288-2376

Denver, CO 80203                                      

·        EMPLOYMENT NETWORKS  (ENs)

As of today there are 12 approved Employment Networks serving the state of Colorado.  There are some ENs providing national service over the internet, and others providing specialized services to Colorado.

A list of ENs serving a particular county or zip code may be obtained on the MAXIMUS web site at  www.yourtickettowork.com by clicking on the directory of employment networks.  A list will be provided separately for your convenience.