Social Security Administers a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Reimbursement Program to assist beneficiaries with disabilities to go to work. Under this program, Social Security pays State VR agencies for the services they provide to beneficiaries with disabilities if the services result in the person’s achieving work at a specified earnings level. Although the primary focus of the VR program is to help people with disabilities go to work, SSA also pays for VR services if the individual continues with a VR program after SSA determines the person's disability ceased because of medical recovery.
The services must result in the individual's return to work for at least nine continuous months at a substantial earnings level, which is referred to as substantial gainful activity (SGA).
More information about earnings levels
State VR agencies can serve as Employment Networks (EN) in the Ticket to Work (Ticket) program or under Social Security's State VR Reimbursement Program. In fact, State VR agencies are the only programs authorized by law and automatically approved to provide service to beneficiaries under the Ticket program without becoming an EN. Whenever a beneficiary receives services from a State VR agency, Social Security considers the individual to be using their ticket.
Visit the VR Reimbursement Claims Processing webpage for the latest statistical information and dollar amounts Social Security has paid to State VR agencies for services.
Social Security's Office of Employment Support Program's Provider Operations Team is available to provide training to personnel from State VR agencies on Social Security's cost reimbursement payment program.
To request for more information, please email:
Office of Employment Support Programs
VRA Operations
For more information about State VR agencies and the services they provide to people with disabilities, go to the Department of Education's Services, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration, website.