Can the Ticket to Work Program Be Self-Financing?

The Ticket to Work program (TTW) represents a new approach to an old problem: although many Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries work at some time after getting benefits, very few earn enough to be judged capable of substantial gainful activity, the key determinant of whether they are disabled and entitled to continued benefits (Schimmel and Stapleton 2011). The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Ticket Act) sought to improve this situation by adding several new components to the Social Security Administration (SSA) ongoing effort to support beneficiary work.