NENA has aggressively advocated for the Social Security Administration to market the Ticket to Work program more effectively, and will continue to do so. SSA has agreed that this is a need.
To promote marketing efforts by SSA, and to help Employment Networks and state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies develop their own marketing efforts, NENA has launched a "Marketing to Beneficiaries" committee.
The voluntary Ticket Program cannot succeed if Social Security disability beneficiaries don't know it exists and don't understand its advantages for them. Also, beneficiaries need assurance that an unsuccessful attempt to become employed will not have disastrous consequences.
Only the Social Security Administration can provide those assurances, and it has a history of beneficiary fear and mistrust to overcome. ENs and state VR agencies can collaborate to help increase the reach and impact of SSA's message. NENA's "Marketing to Beneficiaries Committee" provides input to help the SSA Ticket Program staff and CESSI develop on-target marketing and outreach materials and events. To learn how you can participate, click here to email NENA Communications Director Peter Mead.