Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act of 1998
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 4, 1998 | House · vote #197 | On Passage | Passed | 410–1 | See who voted → |
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act of 1998 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (TWSSP) under which an SSA title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or an SSA title II Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program disabled beneficiary may use a ticket to work and self-sufficiency issued by the Commissioner to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an employment network of the beneficiary's choice which is willing to provide such services pursuant to an appropriate individual employment plan.
(Sec. 2) Authorizes State agencies to elect to participate in the program as employment networks coordinating and delivering services to individuals with tickets to work and self-sufficiency. Permits private entities to be employment networks.
Requires the Commissioner to enter into agreements with private or public organizations to serve as program managers which shall: (1) recruit and recommend employment networks for the Commissioner's selection; as well as (2) ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services are provided to beneficiaries throughout the geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement, including rural areas.
Requires an employment network to develop and implement an individual employment plan for each beneficiary in a manner affording the beneficiary an opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve it.
Outlines an outcome payment system and an outcome-milestone payment system, either of which an employment network may elect to receive TWSSP funds.
Provides for funding of TWSSP out of amounts transferred from the OASDI trust funds and appropriations authorized for the Social Security Administration under SSA title XVI.
Establishes in the Social Security Administration the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Advisory Panel for use in connection with TWSSP. Authorizes appropriations.
Directs the Commissioner to establish a corps of trained, accessible, and responsive work incentive specialists to specialize in OASDI and SSI disability work incentives for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to disabled beneficiaries with respect to inquiries and issues relating to work incentives.
Directs the Commissioner to conduct demonstration projects to evaluate a program for OASDI disability beneficiaries providing for reductions in disability insurance benefits based on earnings.
(Sec. 3) Amends title II of the Social Security Act to provide for extended Medicare coverage for OASDI disability benefit recipients who are using tickets to work and self-sufficiency.
(Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 50 percent of the impairment-related work expenses of handicapped individuals (up to $5,000).
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 403.