Projects
Ticket to Work Evaluation
2023 – 2027
Project Overview
Objective
To support Social Security Administration efforts to better understand the range of experiences and outcomes of beneficiaries and providers who participate in the Ticket to Work programs, how effectively and efficiently the programs are operating, and recommendations on ways to improve the programs and promote service equity.
Project Motivation
The goal of Ticket to Work is to help beneficiaries become economically self-sufficient through employment and improve their quality of life. In achieving this goal, the Social Security Administration would achieve other long-term goals of increasing beneficiaries’ earnings to reduce their benefits, reduce program costs, and realize savings that offset Ticket to Work program costs.
Prepared For
Social Security Administration
Ticket to Work established programs and supports that seek to increase the availability of and access to employment services for adults with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income in order to increase their economic self sufficiency and improve their quality of life.
Mathematica is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of Ticket to Work to help inform the Social Security Administration’s pursuit of equitable and efficient program administration. The evaluation includes analysis of existing administrative and survey data, new survey data collection, and interviews with program participants, service providers, and administrators.
The evaluation seeks to more fully address equity considerations and a central feature throughout the project is engagement with community partners. This includes working closely with a group of beneficiaries, service providers, and advocates to co-design and co-execute project activities, and seeking broader input through listening sessions, community panels, and a technical expert panel.
This research builds on Mathematica’s initial evaluation of Ticket to Work, which found that Ticket to Work increased beneficiary enrollment in employment services. However, program awareness was generally low, and both availability and participation varied markedly across the country.
Evidence & Insights From This Project
Blog Post
Reforms to SSI Could Make Good Jobs a Reality for More Workers with Disabilities
As we consider opportunities to make good jobs available to people with disabilities, we must also recognize the need to modernize the Supplemental Security Income program so it can help beneficiaries test their ability to sustain work and achieve financial security.
Learn MoreRelated Staff
Jody Schimmel Hyde
Senior Fellow, Deputy Director, Center for Studying Disability Policy
View Bio Page
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