In November of this year, the Social Security Administration will begin mailing Tickets to eligible Social Security Disability beneficiaries. Tickets will be mailed based on the terminal digit of their Social Security Number; those ending in >1= will receive Tickets in November, while those ending in >0= will receive Tickets when roll out is completed in September of 2004. There will be no Tickets mailed out December and Minnesota has an estimated 103,200 beneficiaries that will be eligible for services through approved providers. An individual who would like to participate in this Program prior to their scheduled mail date can call MAXIMUS (866-968-7842) to have us mail their Ticket early – this is called >Ticket on Demand=. There are over 7,000 individuals across the country that have requested their Ticket early. However, an individual cannot request a Ticket on demand prior to their state=s first scheduled mail date. If your organization is interested in working with these individuals through Ticket to Work, now is the time to get your application in.

Simplified Employment Network Payment Process

Based on nationwide feedback from organizations committed to serving people with disabilities, the Social Security Administration is now offering Employment Networks TWO (2) choices to request EN outcome payments. Employment Networks can now request EN Payments with either:

Evidence of Ticket-holder earnings (Current Evidentiary Payment Request)

Certification of Ticket-holder earnings (New Certification Payment Request)

Beginning immediately, the new improved process called the Certification Payment Request Process is available for Employment Networks (EN=s) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies that have elected to be paid as an EN. Under this new process, after establishing a history of specific earnings, Employment Networks can simply request any forthcoming Outcome payments by certifying that a Ticket-holder has continued working at the same or higher work or earnings level.

If you have questions or want more detailed information about the Certification Payment Request Process, please call 866-968-7842 ext. 6630.