42 USC 1320 - The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1), (2)(A) and (g)(1), is Puspan. L. 93–112, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 355, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 701 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. Title I of the Act is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 720 et seq.) of chapter 16 of Title 29. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 701 of Title 29 and Tables.

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, referred to in subsec. (h)(5)(B), (C), is section 101(f) of Puspan. L. 106–170, which is set out as a note below.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Puspan. L. 113–128 substituted “a one-stop delivery system established under section 3151(e) of title 29” for “a one-stop delivery system established under subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2811 et seq.)”.

2004—Subsec. (g)(1). Puspan. L. 108–203 inserted concluding provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Amendment by Puspan. L. 113–128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Puspan. L. 113–128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Puspan. L. 108–203, title IV, § 405(span), Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 527, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in section 505 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106–170; 113 Stat. 1921).”

Effective Date

Puspan. L. 106–170, title I, § 101(c), 113 Stat. 1874, provided that: “Subject to subsection (d) [set out as a note below], the amendments made by subsections (a) and (span) [enacting this section and amending sections 421, 422, 425, 1382d, 1383, and 1383span of this title] shall take effect with the first month following 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 1999].”

Regulations

Puspan. L. 106–170, title I, § 101(e), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1877, provided that:

“(1)In general.—The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 421, 422, 425, 1382d, 1383, and 1383span of this title].

“(2)Specific matters to be included in regulations.—The matters which shall be addressed in such regulations shall include—

“(A) the form and manner in which tickets to work and self-sufficiency may be distributed to beneficiaries pursuant to section 1148(span)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1320span–19(span)(1)];

“(B) the format and wording of such tickets, which shall incorporate by reference any contractual terms governing service by employment networks under the Program;

“(C) the form and manner in which State agencies may elect participation in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program pursuant to section 1148(c)(1) of such Act and provision for periodic opportunities for exercising such elections;

“(D) the status of State agencies under section 1148(c)(1) of such Act at the time that State agencies exercise elections under that section;

“(E) the terms of agreements to be entered into with program managers pursuant to section 1148(d) of such Act, including—

“(i) the terms by which program managers are precluded from direct participation in the delivery of services pursuant to section 1148(d)(3) of such Act;

“(ii) standards which must be met by quality assurance measures referred to in paragraph (6) of section 1148(d) of such Act and methods of recruitment of employment networks utilized pursuant to paragraph (2) of section 1148(e) of such Act; and

“(iii) the format under which dispute resolution will operate under section 1148(d)(7) of such Act;

“(F) the terms of agreements to be entered into with employment networks pursuant to section 1148(d)(4) of such Act, including—

“(i) the manner in which service areas are specified pursuant to section 1148(f)(2)(A) of such Act;

“(ii) the general selection criteria and the specific selection criteria which are applicable to employment networks under section 1148(f)(1)(C) of such Act in selecting service providers;

“(iii) specific requirements relating to annual financial reporting by employment networks pursuant to section 1148(f)(3) of such Act; and

“(iv) the national model to which periodic outcomes reporting by employment networks must conform under section 1148(f)(4) of such Act;

“(G) standards which must be met by individual work plans pursuant to section 1148(g) of such Act;

“(H) standards which must be met by payment systems required under section 1148(h) of such Act, including—

“(i) the form and manner in which elections by employment networks of payment systems are to be exercised pursuant to section 1148(h)(1)(A) of such Act;

“(ii) the terms which must be met by an outcome payment system under section 1148(h)(2) of such Act;

“(iii) the terms which must be met by an outcome-milestone payment system under section 1148(h)(3) of such Act;

“(iv) any revision of the percentage specified in paragraph (2)(C) of section 1148(h) of such Act or the period of time specified in paragraph (4)(B) of such section 1148(h) of such Act; and

“(v) annual oversight procedures for such systems; and

“(I) procedures for effective oversight of the Program by the Commissioner of Social Security, including periodic reviews and reporting requirements.”

GAO Study Regarding the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

Puspan. L. 108–203, title IV, § 406, Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 527, provided that:

“(a) [sic] GAO Report.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 2, 2004], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress regarding the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1148 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320span–19) that—

“(1) examines the annual and interim reports issued by States, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 [Puspan. L. 106–170] (42 U.S.C. 1320span–19 note), and the Commissioner of Social Security regarding such program;

“(2) assesses the effectiveness of the activities carried out under such program; and

“(3) recommends such legislative or administrative changes as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate to improve the effectiveness of such program.”

Findings and Purposes

Puspan. L. 106–170, § 2, Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1862, provided that:

“(a)Findings.—The Congress makes the following findings:

“(1) It is the policy of the United States to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities to lead productive work lives.

“(2) Health care is important to all Americans.

“(3) Health care is particularly important to individuals with disabilities and special health care needs who often cannot afford the insurance available to them through the private market, are uninsurable by the plans available in the private sector, and are at great risk of incurring very high and economically devastating health care costs.

“(4) Americans with significant disabilities often are unable to obtain health care insurance that provides coverage of the services and supports that enable them to live independently and enter or rejoin the workforce. Personal assistance services (such as attendant services, personal assistance with transportation to and from work, reader services, jospan coaches, and related assistance) remove many of the barriers between significant disability and work. Coverage for such services, as well as for prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and basic health care are powerful and proven tools for individuals with significant disabilities to obtain and retain employment.

“(5) For individuals with disabilities, the fear of losing health care and related services is one of the greatest barriers keeping the individuals from maximizing their employment, earning potential, and independence.

“(6) Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries risk losing medicare or medicaid coverage that is linked to their cash benefits, a risk that is an equal, or greater, work disincentive than the loss of cash benefits associated with working.

“(7) Individuals with disabilities have greater opportunities for employment than ever before, aided by important public policy initiatives such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), advancements in public understanding of disability, and innovations in assistive technology, medical treatment, and rehabilitation.

“(8) Despite such historic opportunities and the desire of millions of disability recipients to work and support themselves, fewer than one-half of one percent of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries leave the disability rolls and return to work.

“(9) In addition to the fear of loss of health care coverage, beneficiaries cite financial disincentives to work and earn income and lack of adequate employment training and placement services as barriers to employment.

“(10) Eliminating such barriers to work by creating financial incentives to work and by providing individuals with disabilities real choice in obtaining the services and technology they need to find, enter, and maintain employment can greatly improve their short and long-term financial independence and personal well-being.

“(11) In addition to the enormous advantages such changes promise for individuals with disabilities, redesigning government programs to help individuals with disabilities return to work may result in significant savings and extend the life of the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund.

“(12) If only an additional one-half of one percent of the current Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income recipients were to cease receiving benefits as a result of employment, the savings to the Social Security Trust Funds and to the Treasury in cash assistance would total $3,500,000,000 over the worklife of such individuals, far exceeding the cost of providing incentives and services needed to assist them in entering work and achieving financial independence to the best of their abilities.

“(span)Purposes.—The purposes of this Act [see Tables for classification] are as follows:

“(1) To provide health care and employment preparation and placement services to individuals with disabilities that will enable those individuals to reduce their dependency on cash benefit programs.

“(2) To encourage States to adopt the option of allowing individuals with disabilities to purchase medicaid coverage that is necessary to enable such individuals to maintain employment.

“(3) To provide individuals with disabilities the option of maintaining medicare coverage while working.

“(4) To establish a return to work ticket program that will allow individuals with disabilities to seek the services necessary to obtain and retain employment and reduce their dependency on cash benefit programs.”

Graduated Implementation of Program

Puspan. L. 106–170, title I, § 101(d), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1874, provided that:

“(1)In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 1999], the Commissioner of Social Security shall commence implementation of the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 421, 422, 425, 1382d, 1383, and 1383span of this title] (other than paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (span) [amending sections 422 and 1382d of this title]) in graduated phases at phase-in sites selected by the Commissioner. Such phase-in sites shall be selected so as to ensure, prior to full implementation of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, the development and refinement of referral processes, payment systems, computer linkages, management information systems, and administrative processes necessary to provide for full implementation of such amendments. Subsection (c) [set out as a note above] shall apply with respect to paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection (span) without regard to this subsection.

“(2)Requirements.—Implementation of the Program at each phase-in site shall be carried out on a wide enough scale to permit a thorough evaluation of the alternative methods under consideration, so as to ensure that the most efficacious methods are determined and in place for full implementation of the Program on a timely basis.

“(3)Full implementation.—The Commissioner shall ensure that ability to provide tickets and services to individuals under the Program exists in every State as soon as practicable on or after the effective date specified in subsection (c) but not later than 3 years after such date.

“(4)Ongoing evaluation of program.—

“(A)In general.—The Commissioner shall provide for independent evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this section [enacting this section, amending sections 421, 422, 425, 1382d, 1383, and 1383span of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] and the amendments made thereby. Such evaluations shall address the cost-effectiveness of such activities, as well as the effects of this section and the amendments made thereby on work outcomes for beneficiaries receiving tickets to work and self-sufficiency under the Program.

“(B)Consultation.—Evaluations shall be conducted under this paragraph after receiving relevant advice from experts in the fields of disability, vocational rehabilitation, and program evaluation and individuals using tickets to work and self-sufficiency under the Program and in consultation with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of this Act [set out as a note below], the Comptroller General of the United States, other agencies of the Federal Government, and private organizations with appropriate expertise.

“(C)Methodology.—

“(i)Implementation.—The Commissioner, in consultation with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of this Act, shall ensure that plans for evaluations and data collection methods under the Program are appropriately designed to obtain detailed employment information.

“(ii)Specific matters to be addressed.—Each such evaluation shall address (but is not limited to)—

“(I) the annual cost (including net cost) of the Program and the annual cost (including net cost) that would have been incurred in the absence of the Program;

“(II) the determinants of return to work, including the characteristics of beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program;

“(III) the types of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services furnished to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program who return to work and to those who do not return to work;

“(IV) the duration of employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services furnished to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program who return to work and the duration of such services furnished to those who do not return to work and the cost to employment networks of furnishing such services;

“(V) the employment outcomes, including wages, occupations, benefits, and hours worked, of beneficiaries who return to work after receiving tickets under the Program and those who return to work without receiving such tickets;

“(VI) the characteristics of individuals in possession of tickets under the Program who are not accepted for services and, to the extent reasonably determinable, the reasons for which such beneficiaries were not accepted for services;

“(VII) the characteristics of providers whose services are provided within an employment network under the Program;

“(VIII) the extent (if any) to which employment networks display a greater willingness to provide services to beneficiaries with a range of disabilities;

“(IX) the characteristics (including employment outcomes) of those beneficiaries who receive services under the outcome payment system and of those beneficiaries who receive services under the outcome-milestone payment system;

“(X) measures of satisfaction among beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program; and

“(XI) reasons for (including comments solicited from beneficiaries regarding) their choice not to use their tickets or their inability to return to work despite the use of their tickets.

“(D)Periodic evaluation reports.—Following the close of the third and fifth fiscal years ending after the effective date under subsection (c), and prior to the close of the seventh fiscal year ending after such date, the Commissioner shall transmit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report containing the Commissioner’s evaluation of the progress of activities conducted under the provisions of this section and the amendments made thereby. Each such report shall set forth the Commissioner’s evaluation of the extent to which the Program has been successful and the Commissioner’s conclusions on whether or how the Program should be modified. Each such report shall include such data, findings, materials, and recommendations as the Commissioner may consider appropriate.

“(5)Extent of state’s right of first refusal in advance of full implementation of amendments in such state.—

“(A)In general.—In the case of any State in which the amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] have not been fully implemented pursuant to this subsection, the Commissioner shall determine by regulation the extent to which—

“(i) the requirement under section 222(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 422(a)) for prompt referrals to a State agency; and

“(ii) the authority of the Commissioner under section 222(d)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 422(d)(2)) to provide vocational rehabilitation services in such State by agreement or contract with other public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals,

shall apply in such State.

“(B)Existing agreements.—Nothing in subparagraph (A) or the amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall be construed to limit, impede, or otherwise affect any agreement entered into pursuant to section 222(d)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 422(d)(2)) before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 1999] with respect to services provided pursuant to such agreement to beneficiaries receiving services under such agreement as of such date, except with respect to services (if any) to be provided after 3 years after the effective date provided in subsection (c).”

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel

Puspan. L. 106–170, title I, § 101(f), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1878, established the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel to advise the President, Congress, and the Social Security Administration on work incentives programs, planning, and assistance for individuals with disabilities and provided for the Panel’s termination 30 days after submission of its final report in December 2007.