Slow Change in the Employment Services Market: The Early Years of Ticket to Work

This paper reviews early findings for the three essential ingredients necessary for TTW success: (1) beneficiary demand for employment services that will enable them to eventually leave SSA benefits; (2) an adequate supply of employment service providers that can deliver effective employment support services; and (3) efficient support from SSA to facilitate the new market, including the provision of information to beneficiaries and providers and the management of the ticket payment system. Survey data indicate that many beneficiaries have at least a general interest in employment services that TTW could fill. The supply of new and innovative employment service providers, however, has thus far been anemic because of providers' perception that the new program is too risky and cumbersome relative to potential payments offered. SSA has made strides in implementing the program and continues to offer program changes to improve how TTW functions.