Benefits
Specialists
Navigating disability benefits without a roadmap can feel
impossible when traveled alone. ERS will now begin all signed
TicketHolders’ with a free, in-depth benefits counseling session.
The information and services we provide and include:
Overpayment Guidance
Work Activity Reviews
Medicare/Medicaid Analysis PASS Plans
Able Accounts
Medical Reviews (Safety Net)
SSA Communication Assistance
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FAQS
Commonly
asked
questions
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Why is it important to report my wages?
You should consistently report wages during the first six days (SSI) or ten days (SSDI) of the month to help prevent overpayments and underpayments. You can report wages by calling your local Social Security Office first. You should ask about our options to use the automated toll-free SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service, the free SSA Mobile Wage Reporting app, or the my Social Security online wage reporting tool. (requires you to contact SSA first to add your employer(s).
What if I begin working on the Ticket program, but find I cannot continue because of my disability?
Because of a Work Incentive called Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR), if you had to stop working due to your disability, you could request to have your benefits reinstated without having to complete a new application. The Expedited Reinstatement provision allows you to receive up to 6 months of temporary cash benefits while SSA conducts a medical review to decide if they can reinstate your benefits. You may also be eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid during this provisional benefit period as well. You can request Expedited Reinstatement within 5 years from the month your benefits stopped (terminated). Your Medicare benefits may be protected for at least 7 years and 9 months. For more details on how to do Expedited Reinstatement, please contact a Benefits Specialist at ERS. You may also contact your local Social Security office.
What is "timely progress"? What does it mean for me if I use my Ticket?
Every 12 months after you assign your Ticket to Work to an EN, we must decide if you are making the expected progress toward your vocational goal. An annual progress review will be performed every 12 months to determine your progress according to the Timely Progress Guidelines. You are required to show progress in one or more of several areas including Work/Earnings, Education, and/or Training at the time of the review to remain eligible for Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection under the Ticket to Work program. Failure to complete this review may result in the loss of the Continuing Disability Review exemption benefit.
- Ticketholders working with service providers are not guaranteed protection from a Medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
- Ticketholders must be making timely progress and meet all other requirements
- Must complete successful re-entry after a TPR failure to regain protection from a Medical CDR
- Passing a TPR renews the Medical CDR exemption for at least 12 additional months
- Service providers are responsible for assisting Ticketholders through the TPR process
Do I get a new Trial Work Period if I assign my ticket to ERS?
A new Trial Work Period (TWP) is only given upon completion of the Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits after benefit termination, with a favorable decision being reached by SSA and 24 months of cash benefits have been received (Initial Reinstatement Period).
Why do I have to report my earnings to ERS, too?
ERS helps you track your earnings to help prevent an overpayment from occurring and to guide and prepare you as you increase your earnings to reach self-sufficiency.
What is EXR - Expedited Reinstatement?
You can request that your benefits start again without having to complete a new application if your benefits ended because you worked and had earnings. Provisional (temporary) benefits for up to six months may be given by SSA while they determine when you are able to receive benefits again. You must not have an active overpayment of benefits with Social Security.
Am I eligible for EXR?
You are eligible if you are an SSDI or SSI beneficiary who:
• Stopped getting benefits because of earnings from work.
• Are unable to work or perform steady gainful activity.
• Are disabled because of an impairment(s) that is the same as or related to the impairment(s) that allowed you to get benefits earlier.
• Make the request within five years from the month your benefits ended
Overpayments
An overpayment occurs when SSA pays you more than you should have been paid. If this happens, SSA will notify you and your representative payee, if you have one.
A Social Security notice will explain why you have been overpaid, your repayment options, and your appeal and waiver rights. You should read the notice carefully and contact an ERS Benefits Specialist immediately.
Options for repaying:
If you agree that you have been paid too much and that the overpayment amount is correct, you have options for repaying it.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits, SSA will withhold the full amount of your benefit each month, unless you ask for a lesser withholding amount and they will approve your request. Full withholding would start 30 days after they notify you of the overpayment.
If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), general Social Security will withhold 10 percent of your SSI check. (Ex. If your check is $720 a month, Social Security may withhold $72 a month for the duration of your repayment.) If you cannot afford this, you may ask that less be taken from your benefit. Or you may ask to pay back the overpayment at a rate greater than 10 percent.
SSA does not start deducting money from your SSI payments until at least 60 days after they notify you of the overpayment.
If you no longer receive SSI, but you do receive Social Security, you can pay back your SSI overpayment by having up to 10 percent of your monthly Social Security benefit withheld.
If you are not receiving benefits, you should:
- Send a check, Cashier’s check, or money order to Social Security for the entire amount within 30 days or
- Contact Social Security to set up a plan to pay back the amount in monthly installments. Auto debiting from a debit or credit card is available.
If you are not receiving benefits, and you do not pay the amount back, Social Security can recover the overpayment from your federal income tax refund or from your wages if you are working. Also, they can recover overpayments from future SSI or Social Security benefits. Social Security will also will report the delinquency to credit bureaus.
Appeal and waiver rights:
ERS Support
Contacting Social
Security
Administration
Call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213
For the deaf or hard of hearing, call our
TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
Specific questions can be answered
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Automated phone service information is
available 24 hours a day.
For more information and to find copies
of Social Security publications, visit their
website below:
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ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
More Answers
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government. Its
mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while
reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the
government.
Their Benefit Finder questionnaire can help you find benefits you may
be eligible to receive and discuss with your Team.