Safety Nets and Your Path to Success

A visual to help you keep track of where you are in the program.
Click to enlarge.

by Megan Elliott, Social Media Developer

There are many ways that employment networks, like ERS, do business. Some of them are simple mom and pop organizations, with one or two employees. Some are a bit larger, but they don't just do Ticket to Work – they are a part of a larger business. We're one-of-a-kind; we operate a phone bank where we access our clients entirely over the phone and e-mail.

One of the biggest challenges our coaches face is helping Ticket Holders understand the safety nets of the program.  Our staff also expressed that it's hard to describe the entire process to someone who doesn't have a visual in front of them.  That's understandable, because this is complicated stuff to understand!

So I brainstormed and thought, what if I could create a visual representation of the important details, then you would be better prepared! Presenting our first infographic!

The Social Security Administration has allowed there to be different safety nets for each type of benefit, SSDI and SSI. Each one is treated as a separate check, so the safety nets only affect one or the other, but not both at the same time, if you receive both.

For SSDI, which is paid based upon a temporary or permanent disability claim, the safety nets are designed to help someone try their ability to work without affecting their benefits right away. Your Medicare is covered for a particular amount of time, as is your check, and you can re-enroll for your full check if your disability flares up again. The technical terms for these nets are found on the left side of the poster.

For SSI, which is a need-based benefit (they have an equation that determines this amount), your benefits are affected, but with a variety of ways to ease you back into supporting yourself so that you potentially don't lose your entire check right away. You can also reapply for your benefit check if you find your disability is interfering with your work, your Medicaid is covered, and there are several income equations that Social Security takes into account when you start working. The technical terms for each of these are found on the right side of the page.

Below these charts is the list and definition of the safety nets that SSDI and SSI share. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, you get all of these safety nets. You'll see each one of these safety nets in action.

At the bottom, you’ll see the path to self-sufficiency that we encourage you to stick with when you're a client of ERS. I started it when you first sign up for your benefits with Social Security, understanding that that's usually when you're unemployed. Each step ERS takes is outlined, along with each step you are expected to take.

We have a pretty complex computer system that helps us keep track of where you are, and Maximus keeps track of the rest.

Let us know if this chart helps you understand our job a little better! I'll be giving the career coaches a copy of this infographic so that if you call in asking questions about it, they'll know what you’re talking about and what I have put online for you. Feel free to e-mail or open up a chat with me on Facebook or Twitter about it too. As we say, we're providing the power of knowledge and opportunity to you!