Working Together…. That’s the Ticket Employment Network Opportunity Conference

1. Working Together….That’s the TicketEmployment Network Opportunity Conference

2. The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program An Overview Presentation for Potential Employment Networks

3. What is the Purpose of the Ticket Program? • Increase beneficiary choice in obtaining rehabilitation and employment services. • Remove barriers that require people with disabilities to choose between health care coverage and work. • Assure that more beneficiaries with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits.

4. What does the Ticket Program do? • Expands the universe of entities available to provide employment, rehabilitation or other support services. • Extends Medicare coverage. • Provides additional work incentives such as Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection; and Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR). • Establishes a new service structure called Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO); establishes the Employment Support Representative Positions; and, provides grants for Protection and Advocacy systems.

5. Expanding the Universe of Providers • The Ticket program expands the universe of entities, called Employment Networks, available to provide employment, rehabilitation or other support services to SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. • SSA and MAXIMUS are recruiting employment networks to participate in the Ticket program.

6. Extends Medicare Coverage • Extends medical coverage through Medicare for an additional 4 1/2 years beyond the current 4 years.

7. Provides Additional Work Incentives • Continuing Disability Review (CDR) - While the individual is using the Ticket no medical CDR will be initiated. • Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR) -Provides cash payments and health insurance coverage for up to six consecutive months while SSA reviews permanent benefit status. The individual is not required to file a new claim. Continued

8. Provides Additional Work Incentives • Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) - SSA awarded over 117 cooperative agreements to assist community-based organizations. - These organizations provide disability beneficiaries with access to benefits planning and assistance services. -These organizations work in cooperation with Federal, State and private agencies that serve beneficiaries. Continued

9. Provides Additional Work Incentives • Employment Support Representative (ESR) - ESRs are SSA trained specialists who serve as technical resources for other SSA employees and conduct training and outreach to external organizations. • Protection and Advocacy (P&A) -P&A systems will assist individuals with disabilities who receive SSDI/SSI in obtaining information and advice about vocational rehabilitation and employment services.

10. What Else has Changed? • Referrals - This legislation repeals SSA’s authority to refer individuals with disabilities to State VR agencies for rehabilitation services in States where the Ticket program has been implemented. • Refusals - As of January 1, 2001, the law requires SSA to end benefit suspensions due to refusal to participate in an approved VR program.

11. What is the “Ticket”? • The “Ticket” is a symbolic document that provides evidence of SSA’s agreement to pay employment networks under the rules of this program.

12. When will the Tickets be Issued? • The Ticket program will be phased-in over a three-year period. • Beginning in 2001, SSA plans to begin issuing Tickets to eligible beneficiaries in Ticket States. • Each year SSA will select additional Ticket States. • By January 2004 Tickets will be issued to all eligible beneficiaries in all States. • Tickets will continue to be issued to newly eligible disability beneficiaries.

13. The First Ticket States:

14. Options Available to a Beneficiary who Receives a Ticket? A beneficiary receiving a Ticket: • Can choose whether or not to use the Ticket. • Can choose any EN or State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (VRA). • Can use the Ticket to obtain services needed from an employment network or VRA. • Can retrieve the Ticket from the EN or the VRA and reassign it to another EN or VRA.

15. Which Service Providers are Eligible to Receive Payment? • State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies • Alternate Participants • Employment Networks

16. What Payment Options are available to State VR Agencies? The legislation provides State VR agencies with two payment options: • Traditional Reimbursement - Since 1981 State VR agencies have been reimbursed for the services they provided to beneficiaries, when those services resulted in 9 months of SGA within a 12-month period. This payment option remains available. • EN Payment System of Record - State VR agencies select their EN payment option at the time they decide to participate in the Ticket program.

17. What Payment Options are Available for an Alternate Participant (AP)? The AP process will end in each State as the Ticket program is phased-in. • If an AP chooses to become an EN, services to current clients will continue to be covered under the current cost reimbursement system. • New beneficiaries will only be served based on the Ticket program. • If an AP chooses not to become an EN, that AP can not sign on new individuals after the Ticket program is implemented in the State. • Payments to an AP will not be made for any services provided after December 31, 2003.

18. What are the Employment Network (EN) Payment Options? • Outcome Payments • Outcome-milestone Payments

19. What are EN Outcome Payments? • Outcome payments are made to an EN for each month the beneficiary reaches zero cash benefits due to work/earnings. • Payments can be made for up to 60 months and the months do not have to be consecutive. • Payments will be based on a percentage of the average monthly SSDI or SSI benefit amount for the preceding calendar year. The maximum currently allowed by law is 40 %.

20. Examples of Outcome Payments The money amounts shown below are hypothetical and should not be quoted as proposed. • If the average national monthly SSDI benefit were $758.67, and monthly benefits did not increase: - Outcome payment/month = $303.47 ($758.67 x 40%) - Total over 12 months = $3,640.40 - Total over 60 months = $18,202.00 • If the average national monthly SSI benefit were $459.00, and monthly benefits did not increase: - Outcome payment/month = $183.60 - Total over 12 months = $ 2, 203.20 - Total over 60 months = $ 11,016.00 If an individual is receiving concurrent SSDI/SSI benefits, outcome payments are based on the SSDI amount.

21. What are Outcome/Milestone Payments? Outcome-Milestone payments are made to an EN when a beneficiary achieves established work and earnings goals. • Milestone payments - Zero cash benefits do not have to be achieved for a Milestone to be paid. • Outcome payments - The EN will receive reduced Outcome payments if a milestone payment has been made. -The maximum payable under the Outcome-Milestone payment system is approximately 85% of the amount payable under the Outcome payment system. Using $18,202.00, as the maximum payable under the Outcome system, $15,471.70 would be the maximum payable under the Outcome-Milestone system. The money amounts shown above are hypothetical and should not be quoted as actual amounts. The number and amount of Milestone payments and percentage of Outcome payment reduction will be finalized with the publication of the regulations.

22. For Additional Information Visit our Web Site atwww.ssa.gov/work

23. Working Together….That’s the TicketEmployment Network Opportunity Conference

24. Making the DecisionBe an Employment Network,a Service Provider Partner or Both…

25. Who Can be an EN? • In General: Any public or private agency, organization, business or entity that SSA determines qualified to deliver, arrange or coordinate employment-related services or jobs for Ticket-holders

26. Examples of Potential ENs • Employers • Employment agencies • WIA One-Stop centers • Schools, educational institutions • Mentoring services, programs • Former Alternate Participants • Transportation providers • Job Accommodation service providers • Chambers of Commerce • State VR Agencies

27. Why Get Involved? The “EN” Basics…. • Provides opportunities to expand existing lines of business (or create new ones), client base, community knowledge and relationships • Fills current service gaps for consumers - many of whom will be Ticket-holders • Offers flexible design and participation options • Increases long term revenue base • No cost to apply to become an EN • Voluntary: ENs choose whom to serve, based on their capacity, expertise and services offered

28. Why Get Involved...from a beneficiary’s perspective • Ticket-holders want options, flexibility • Market-Driven: Based on the services, supports and jobs offered, consumers select with whom they want to assign their Ticket • Maximizes other “wrap-around” supports available: Employment Support Representatives, PASS Specialists, BPAOs, MAXIMUS, and other existing work incentive initiatives

29. Why Get Involved? At a Higher Level . . . • Supports a common vision for employment of qualified individuals with disabilities • Opportunity to provide services and jobs for unserved or underserved populations • Promotes collaborative relationships among a variety of new partners: government, service providers, businesses and learning institutions

30. Strategies to Consider

31. Strategy One: Be an “EN” • Voluntary: You design and control your own Employment Network (in compliance with SSA-RFP requirements) • You can provide or arrange for everything, or you can chose to partner, subcontract for additional services (including VR) • As the primary EN, you are eligible for the full outcome and outcome/milestone payments • You are the primary EN information, service and access source for your Ticket-holders • Streamlines service delivery for consumers • High visibility • You assume the risk, accountability;receive the benefits

32. Strategy Two: Service Provider Partnerships • Voluntary: You decide with whom you want to partner • Join forces with one or many ENs • Can share costs with other organizations, maximizing expertise, funds and resources • Share administrative responsibilities • Expand employer, provider and service networks • Continue to receive referrals from VR and other sources • Assume less risk, responsibilities • Fewer benefits (potential for less revenue, fewer referrals, less visibility and control)

33. Strategy Three: Do Both…be an EN and a Partner • Offers more choices for Ticket-holders • Maximizes organizational potential: broadens opportunities for new lines of business, adds revenue, increases internal capacity • Provides highest level of visibility, access to consumers • Result: Ticket-holders get the services and jobs they need, organizations build capacity and client base, communities and employers benefit by having an expanded array of service supports available to ensure job retention

34. Strategy Four: Refer Ticket-holders to others… • Because you are not an EN or a formal partner with an EN, you can not accept a Ticket • Impact: • As a Provider: Assume no Ticket Program responsibilities, risk losing current clients wanting to use their Ticket, reap no Program benefits • As a Ticket-holder: Limits choices, access to new opportunities, may create gaps in services

35. Next Steps to Consider • Do you have potential Ticket-holders in your existing caseload and current referral pipeline? • Do you provide (or want to expand to provide orarrange for) the types of services or jobs Ticket-holders will desire? • Are you already reaching out to providers and employers to offer EN-types of services? • If you don’t want to be or can’t be an EN on your own, are you willing to partner? • If you answered “YES” to any of these 4 questions…

36. Next Steps, cont’d…. • Assess your internal needs and weigh the options presented today • Reach out to your community partners, including employers • Decide which strategy works best for you • Review the RFP 

37. About the EN RFP and the Process to Apply… • Go to www.fedbizops.gov website • Access the July 20th version (SSA RFP-01-0010A); register for future Amendments • Review the full document; sign and send onlythe required pages (use EN Offeror Checklist) • Key pages: Standard Form 1449 (this is your proposal as well a your contract document); Information Sheet; Payment Option; “Reps and Certs”; insurance; 13 signature pages • Must Haves: Tax ID number; DUNS number • Must Do: Send original to SSA and a copy to MAXIMUS

40. About the EN RFP and Process to Apply, cont’d • Reminder: Award process is non-competitive, open-ended • Unlimited number of ENs are desired … • Call MAXIMUS for assistance: 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842); ask to speak with an EN Marketing Coordinator

41. Making the Decision…

42. Working Together….That’s the TicketEmployment Network Opportunity Conference

43. What Happens Next The Ticket to Work Program What it Means to Your Business as an Employment Network

44. Business as Usual and What’s New

45. Business As Usual

46. Business as Usual • Collaborative Relationship with Clients • Partner with Other Resources • Maintain Records and Documentation • Use Organizational Know How • Achieve the Employment Outcome

47. What’s New

48. A New Partner in the Private Sector:MAXIMUS is Your Partner • From Application to Payments • Active Working Relationship • On-Going Support • Training

50. New Business • Market to Beneficiaries – MAXIMUS • A New Source of Funding • New Clients