Ticket to Work in Your Own Words

By Tripp, Senior Ticket Counselor 


During a recent call with our ticket holders to review their progress in the Ticket to Work program, several of our clients provided us with valuable feedback about their experiences with the counselors at ERS, and the services provided:

• Mr. Ray from Maryland, "Nobody has been able to explain this program better than you.  I feel so much better after talking to you."

• Mr. Michael from New Jersey, "You’ve been very helpful.  I would not have understood any of this without your call."

•  Ms. Synettra from Mississippi, "You have explained this program so much better than anybody.  I wish I had talked to you sooner."

• Ms. Tabitha from Indiana, "Thank you so much for calling and explaining the program, I was worried that if I left my job because of my disability that I would no longer receive my benefits."

In response to the Ticket to Work program, their experiences with returning to work, and the overall work experience:

• Ms. Janet from Tennessee, "I have been absolutely humbled by having the opportunity to return to work and to be able to pay some of my bills and put food on the table.  It has been good for me to get out of the house and to see life again.  I cannot say enough for my employer and how they have been wonderful to me." 

• Ms. Audrey from Minnesota, "I think that if you have any sort of disability, then work is helpful for the mind and body.  It has been very helpful for me to be able to return to work."

What is Ticket to Work in your own words?

Vocational Rehabilitation

By Tripp, Senior Ticket Counselor 

State Vocational Rehabilitation Departments provide assessment, training and support to individuals with disabilities.  Each state has their own VR agencies which offer resources and assistance to their citizens.

An example of VR agencies role in communities would be to provide resources for individuals who have been out of the workforce for a while due to an injury, mental, physical, or emotional difficulty.  VR services may include skill assessments, training, skills enhancement and career coaching.

If you are interested in working with your state's VR for assistance in job training and employment skills, ERS has a directory of these agencies available to you on our website.  You will need to contact your local VR Department to inquire about their specific services offered and how to obtain them.  ERS, Inc. is not a VR agency but we do work with VR agencies to assist ticket holders and look forward to an opportunity to assist you.