Social Security Disability: Ticket to Work Participation Has Increased, but Additional Oversight Needed

In July 2013, SSA contractors published a report examining changes in work activity of ticket holders before and after the 2008 regulatory changes. Specifically, the study assessed whether there were systematic differences in benefits suspensions and terminations due to work, and benefits foregone for work for Ticket to Work participants who assigned their ticket immediately before and after the 2008 regulatory changes.

In August 2012, SSA officials reported that they are now reviewing and approving new and existing ENs' business models (service approaches) on an ongoing basis. SSA has identified four business model categories and will track performance by business model. SSA also developed new requirements for Employment Networks (EN) with certain business models. For example, officials told us prospective employer ENs must identify in their applications available jobs paying at or above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level into which they will place ticket holders. SSA will evaluate these ENs' ability to assist at least 80 percent of their ticket holder clients in achieving SGA-level earnings within 9 months of the ticket assignment. In the report, we raised concerns that the leading service approach entailed sharing ticket payments with ticket-holders while providing no tangible services. According to officials, SSA is now requiring ENs with a shared payment model to convert to a consumer directed services model, which only allows the EN to reimburse the beneficiary for return-to-work related expenses that the beneficiary purchased.

In August 2012, SSA officials reported that they have been initiating and adjudicating timely progress reviews on time since Spring 2011. Officials also reported that SSA began quality reviews in May 2012 to ensure the accuracy of information used to make timely progress determinations. According to a quality assurance procedural document, SSA randomly selects and conducts monthly audits on 5 percent of timely progress review decisions. In cases where the beneficiary self-certifies that he has met work criteria, a quality assurance analyst uses earnings records to verify earnings claims. Additionally, in cases where a beneficiary claims to have met educational criteria, a quality assurance analyst will check for documentation of the beneficiary's reported educational progress, such as transcripts, certificates of completion, and report cards.

On August 8, 2011, SSA notified us that it has developed performance measures for employment networks. The performance measures are outlined in its Request for Quotation, published on April 27, 2011.