Ticket to Work for Disabled Veterans: How It Helps (2025 Guide)

A quick promise before we start

You want to work again—without losing the benefits you fought for. This guide shows exactly how Social Security’s Ticket to Work helps disabled veterans ease back into employment, keep health coverage, understand 2025 income limits, and protect their VA benefits. We’ll also show you how to combine Ticket to Work with VA VR&E (Chapter 31) and free WIPA counseling so you’ve got support at every step. (Social Security, Veterans Affairs)

What Is Ticket to Work (TTW) and Why It Matters to Veterans

Ticket to Work is a free, voluntary Social Security program for adults 18–64 receiving SSDI or SSI who want to work. It connects you with Employment Networks (ENs) or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency for career counseling, training, job placement, and ongoing support. For veterans, SSA even hosts dedicated WISE webinars and resources. (Social Security, Choose Work, VA News)

Key takeaways:

• Free and voluntary—use as much or as little support as you need. (Social Security)
• You can work with an EN or State VR and build a plan tailored to your goals. (Choose Work)
• Veteran-focused materials and webinars exist to help you translate military skills to civilian jobs. (VA News)

Who Qualifies?

You’re generally eligible if:

• You’re 18–64, and
• You receive SSDI or SSI based on disability. (Social Security)

Veterans often ask if their VA status changes eligibility. It doesn’t—SSA determines TTW eligibility through your SSDI/SSI status, not your VA rating. (You can, however, use TTW alongside VA programs like VR&E—more on that soon.) (Choose Work)

Will Ticket to Work Affect Your VA Benefits?

VA Disability Compensation (service-connected) is not means-tested—having a job or using TTW generally does not reduce monthly compensation. However, two important caveats:

1. VA Pension is needs-based; wages count toward income and can reduce or eliminate pension. (Benefits.gov, Veterans Affairs)
2. If you receive TDIU (Individual Unemployability), working at substantially gainful employment can jeopardize TDIU because the benefit is for veterans unable to maintain such employment due to service-connected disabilities. Always consult a VA-accredited rep if you’re on TDIU and considering work. (Veterans Affairs)

Bottom line: TTW does not change your VA benefits by itself. But earned income can affect VA Pension and may raise questions for TDIU recipients. Plan with a WIPA counselor and, if needed, a VA-accredited representative. (Social Security)

The 2025 Work-Incentive “Safety Nets” (SSDI/SSI)

Ticket to Work sits on top of a powerful set of SSA Work Incentives that lower the risk of trying work.

1) Trial Work Period (TWP) — SSDI Only

• Test your ability to work for at least 9 months within a rolling 60-month window.
• In 2025, any month you earn $1,160+ counts as a TWP month.
• You still receive full SSDI cash benefits during TWP regardless of earnings, as long as you report work and still have a disabling impairment. (Social Security, Choose Work)

2) Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) — SSDI Only

• After TWP, you enter a 36-month EPE.
• During EPE, you’re paid SSDI for months your countable earnings are below SGA and not paid for months at/over SGA.
• In 2025, SGA is $1,620/month (non-blind) and $2,700/month (statutorily blind). (Social Security Administration, Social Security)

3) Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) — SSDI & SSI

If your benefits stop due to work and your condition later prevents SGA again, you can restart benefits without a new application within 60 months—and get up to 6 months of provisional benefits while SSA decides. (Social Security, Social Security Administration)

4) Health Coverage While Working

• Medicare (SSDI): Continues for at least 93 months after TWP if you still have a disabling impairment—even if cash benefits stop. (Social Security)
• Medicaid (SSI — 1619(b)): You may keep Medicaid after SSI cash stops due to earnings if you meet 1619(b) rules (state thresholds vary). (Social Security)

5) Protection from Medical CDRs (Timely Progress)

If you assign your Ticket before receiving a CDR notice and you make “timely progress” on your work plan, SSA will not initiate a medical CDR during that period. If timely progress lapses, CDR protection can be lost until progress resumes. (Choose Work)

Step-by-Step: How Disabled Veterans Use Ticket to Work

1. Call the Ticket to Work Help Line (M–F, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET): 1-866-968-7842 (TTY: 1-866-833-2967) to ask questions and get referrals. (Social Security)
2. Find a service provider: Use SSA’s Find Help tool to compare Employment Networks (ENs) and State VR agencies—filter for veteran-friendly providers. (Choose Work)
3. Assign your Ticket to the EN/VR you choose and co-create an Individual Work Plan (IWP) outlining training, placement, supports, and milestones. (Choose Work)
4. Meet a WIPA counselor for personalized benefits counseling—they’ll map how work affects SSDI/SSI, Medicare/Medicaid, and VA pension and help you report wages correctly. (Social Security)
5. Use PABSS for free legal advocacy if you face barriers to work (e.g., discrimination, problems accessing VR services). (Social Security)
6. Track “timely progress” (coursework, credentials, hours/earnings) to keep CDR protection active. (Choose Work)

Pair TTW with Veteran-Only Resources (Stack Your Support)

• VA VR&E (Chapter 31): If your service-connected disability limits employment, VR&E funds training, education, and job placement. You can use Ticket to Work and VR&E together by assigning your Ticket to State VR and then transitioning to an EN for ongoing support. (Veterans Affairs)
• DOL VETS & American Job Centers: Priority of service, job fairs, résumé help, and referrals—many Workforce ENs are embedded in state workforce systems. (DOL, Choose Work)

2025 Income Limits at a Glance (SSDI)

SSI readers: Your cash payment adjusts with wages, but Medicaid can often continue under 1619(b) if you meet state thresholds. (Social Security)

Does Working Change VA Benefits? (Quick Guide)

• VA Disability Compensation: Generally not reduced by earnings; you can work while receiving compensation. Exception: Working at substantially gainful employment can conflict with TDIU, which is for veterans unable to maintain such employment. (Veterans Affairs)
• VA Pension: Income-tested; wages and some other income can reduce or end pension. Net-worth rules also apply. (Benefits.gov, Veterans Affairs)

Reporting Wages the Right Way (and Why It Matters)

Staying current prevents overpayments and keeps you eligible for work incentives.
Report promptly whenever you start/stop work, change hours, or change pay.

What to keep/submit:

• Employer name, start date, hours, gross pay, and pay stubs.
• Self-employment: business records and monthly net earnings.
• Keep proof of every submission (fax receipts, online confirmations, or mailed certified copies).
• Ask your WIPA counselor for help calculating countable earnings. (Social Security)

Pros & Cons of Ticket to Work for Disabled Veterans

Pros

• Free, veteran-aware employment help (career counseling, training, placement). (Social Security)
• Cash/health safety nets: TWP, EPE, EXR, Medicare/Medicaid protections. (Social Security, Social Security Administration)
• Medical CDR protection while making timely progress. (Choose Work)
• Can be combined with VR&E and DOL veteran services. (Veterans Affairs, DOL)

Cons

• Missing “timely progress” benchmarks can mean loss of CDR protection until progress resumes. (Choose Work)
• Must keep up with wage reporting to avoid overpayments. (Social Security)
• TDIU recipients must weigh work carefully; consult VA before pursuing substantially gainful employment. (Veterans Affairs)

Common Myths—Busted

• “If I try working once, I’ll lose SSDI forever.”
  False. TWP and EPE let you test work and toggle cash months based on SGA; EXR can restart benefits within 5 years if you can’t sustain work. (Social Security, Social Security Administration)
• “Ticket to Work reduces my VA disability compensation.”
  No. Compensation isn’t income-tested; only VA Pension is. TDIU is a separate issue tied to the ability to maintain substantially gainful employment. (Benefits.gov, Veterans Affairs)
• “I’ll lose Medicare as soon as I work.”
  Not with SSDI—Medicare can continue for at least 93 months after TWP if you remain disabled. (Social Security)
• “CDRs will start immediately if I take a job.”
  If you assign your Ticket before a CDR is initiated and meet timely progress, SSA won’t conduct a medical CDR during that time. (Choose Work)

Quick Start: 7-Step Checklist

1. Call the Ticket to Work Help Line (numbers above). (Social Security)
2. Search the Find Help tool for ENs/VR with veteran expertise. (Choose Work)
3. Meet with a WIPA counselor for a written benefits summary. (Social Security)
4. Assign your Ticket and sign your Individual Work Plan. (Choose Work)
5. Track your timely progress milestones (courses, credentials, hours/earnings). (Choose Work)
6. Report wages monthly (keep receipts and pay stubs). (Social Security)
7. Revisit goals every quarter—consider VR&E and AJC add-ons. (Veterans Affairs, DOL)

Comparison: Ticket to Work vs. VA VR&E vs. DOL VETS

Sources: SSA Choose Work, VA VR&E, DOL VETS. (Choose Work, Veterans Affairs, DOL)

Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Start

You don’t have to choose between security and purpose. Ticket to Work lets you test the waters with 2025-ready safety nets (TWP, EPE, EXR), keep health coverage, and—when you assign your Ticket and make timely progress—avoid medical CDRs while you build momentum. Add VR&E and WIPA to the mix, and you’ll have a team behind you every step of the way. (Social Security, Social Security Administration, Choose Work)

FAQ

1) What is Ticket to Work for disabled veterans—and who qualifies?
A free, voluntary SSA program for adults 18–64 on SSDI or SSI that provides career services through ENs/VR. Veterans qualify the same way as anyone else—by SSDI/SSI status. (Social Security)

2) What are the 2025 income limits (SGA) and Trial Work Period amounts?
SGA: $1,620/mo (non-blind) and $2,700/mo (blind). TWP month: $1,160+ in gross earnings. (Social Security)

3) Will Ticket to Work reduce my VA disability compensation or VA pension?
Compensation: Generally not reduced by earnings. Pension: Needs-based—wages can lower or end benefits. (Veterans Affairs, Benefits.gov)

4) Can I keep Medicare or Medicaid while working through TTW?
Medicare (SSDI): Continues for at least 93 months after TWP if still disabled. Medicaid (SSI): 1619(b) may keep coverage after SSI cash stops. (Social Security)

5) How does Ticket to Work protect me from medical CDRs?
Assign your Ticket before a CDR starts and make timely progress—SSA won’t initiate a medical CDR during that time. (Choose Work)

6) What happens if I try work and can’t sustain it?
Use Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) to restart benefits within 5 years—you may get up to 6 months of provisional benefits while SSA decides. (Social Security)

7) Who can give me free, unbiased benefits counseling?
WIPA projects provide free counseling; PABSS offers legal advocacy for work-related barriers. Call the TTW Help Line for referrals. (Social Security)

8) Can I use VA VR&E with Ticket to Work?
Yes. Many veterans use VR&E for training/education and assign their Ticket to State VR/EN for coordinated employment supports. (Veterans Affairs)

References

• SSA Ticket to Work (program overview, FAQs, work incentives, TPR): (Social Security, Choose Work)
• 2025 thresholds: SGA & TWP (OACT/SSA): (Social Security)
• SSDI/EPE/EXR and Medicare continuation: (Social Security Administration, Social Security)
• SSI & Medicaid 1619(b): (Social Security)
• WIPA/PABSS help: (Social Security)
• VA VR&E (Chapter 31): (Veterans Affairs)
• VA Compensation vs Pension (needs-based): (Veterans Affairs, Benefits.gov)