Ticket to Work e-Training Update for ENs November 2004 Please disseminate to all your staff involved with Ticket to Work. "Training Resources for the Business of Ticket" In this issue: 1. Message from the Manager 2. Timely Progress Reviews Start in November 3. What is Timely Progress? 4. Free EN Capitalization Training Coming to a City Near You! 5. What You Should Know About Milestone Payments 6. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Contact Hours Available for Ticket to Work Online Courses 7. Join the November 18th EN Forum Discussion 8. Directions to Navigate the EN Forum Available on Web site. 9. Meet the MAXIMUS Training Team Message from the Training Manager: Employment Network activity continued to increase during the month of October. Several ENs have begun to form EN associations such as proposed by John Coburn (September EN Forum guest host) and there was a 600% increase in the number of visitors to the EN Forum in September. October turned out to be equally busy for the Training staff. In an effort to continue improvement in technical assistance and support to ENs, the Training staff updated the Training section of the Ticket to Work Web site. New features include EN training events, navigation instructions for the EN Forum, and a new section for Ticket University online training. Also a special thanks to Sandy Smith for hosting the October EN Forum Discussion on the EN Capitalization Project. To view transcripts of Sandy's presentation or past EN Forum discussions, please visit the EN Forum on the Ticket to Work Web site. Terry Martin, Ed.D. Training Manager Timely Progress Reviews Start in November Starting in November, MAXIMUS will begin distributing the first of the Timely Progress Review reports to ENs and state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies. The Timely Progress notices will be sent for Phase I Ticket-holders who have had their Tickets in use more than 24 months. ENs will review their participation and report to MAXIMUS if the Ticket-holder has met the initial 24-month period requirements. For more information on Timely Progress Reviews, please visit the Ticket to Work Web site at www.yourtickettowork.com or call MAXIMUS. What is Timely Progress? Timely Progress refers to the guidelines used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine if a Ticket-holder is making progress toward self-supporting employment. SSA considers the Ticket-holder to be making Timely Progress toward self-supporting employment when a Ticket-holder shows an increasing ability to work at levels that will reduce or eliminate his/her dependence on their cash benefits. The timeline for Progress Reviews and guidelines for Timely Progress are as follows: If the Ticket-holder first assigned their Ticket less than 24 months ago, there is no work requirement, but they must be actively participating in the employment plan. At the end of the initial 24-month period is the 24-month progress review. The next review is due after the Ticket has been first assigned 25-36 months and is called the First 12-month Progress Review. The Ticket-holder must have earnings 3 months out of 12 above the SGA level for non-blind beneficiaries. The second 12-month Progress review takes place after the Ticket has been first assigned 48 months. The Ticket-holder must have earnings 6 months out of 12 above the SGA level for non-blind beneficiaries. The third 12-month progress review takes place after the 60th month the Ticket has been assigned. The Ticket-holder must have earnings sufficient to preclude Social Security disability and Federal SSI cash benefits for 6 out of 12 months. Note: In later 12-month progress review periods, the work and earnings requirements are the same as in the third 12-month progress review period. Any month(s) in which the Ticket is not assigned to an EN or state VR agency or any month in which a Ticket is not in-use is not counted toward the timelines described for Timely Progress. If it is determined that a Ticket-holder is not making timely progress toward self-supporting employment, MAXIMUS will find that the Ticket-holder is no longer "using" his/her Ticket. ENs are encouraged to visit the Ticket to Work Web site for details on Timely Progress Reviews at www.tickettowork.com/training. Upcoming EN Training Events: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Free EN Capitalization Training Coming to a City Near You! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Locations Dates . Las Vegas, NV January 21, 2005 New Orleans, LA February 17, 2005 Seattle, WA March 17, 2005 Additional Locations TBA Participants will be instructed in the use of the EN Capitalization Resource Directory as a tool for seeking and securing funding. The seminar will focus on developing strategic fund-raising processes. Particular emphasis will be given to accessing funding from foundations, and hands-on exercises to develop skills in fund-raising. The seminar will be conducted in two identical three-hour sessions. The morning session will be conducted from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, and the afternoon session from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Participants may choose the most convenient location and session. There is no registration fee, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselors will be awarded 2.75 contact hours. EN Capitalization & Ticket to Work Training Registration Form or call 1-866-968-7842 ext. 6662 What You Should Know About Milestone Payments According to data now being analyzed by MAXIMUS, many ENs are not getting paid the third and fourth Milestone payments before being switched to the Outcome payments at a reduced rate. Under the Outcome/Milestone payment method, an EN can receive up to four Milestone Payments for a Ticket-holder's earnings being above Substantial Gainful Activity* (SGA) but not yet at the zero cash benefits level. The EN may submit a claim for payment for Milestones based on Figure 1. The dollar amount of the Milestone payments is based on the Payment Calculation Base (PCB). The PCB is last year's national average disability benefit paid under each of SSA's two disability programs (SSI & SSDI). For 2004, the PCB for SSDI is $840.61 and the PCB for SSI is $498.34. The following chart outlines the four milestone payments that are available. Figure 1: Payment Calculations Under the Outcome/Milestone Payment Method Milestone One is achieved when earnings are above SGA for 1 calendar month. The EN can then submit a claim for payment equal to 34% of the Payment Calculation Base (SSI = $169 and SSDI = $286). Milestone 2 is achieved when earnings are above SGA for 3 out of 12 months. The EN can then submit a claim for payment equal to 68% of the Payment Calculation Base (SSI = $339 and SSDI = $572). Milestone 3 is achieved when earnings are above SGA for 7 out of 12 months. The EN can then submit a claim for payment equal to 136% of the Payment Calculation Base (SSI = $678 and SSDI = $1,143). Milestone 4 is achieved when earnings are above SGA for 12 out of 15 months. The EN can then submit a claim for payment equal to 170% of the Payment Calculation Base (SSI = $847 and SSDI = $1,429). The Milestone payment period ends when the Ticket-holder's earnings are such that they receive a zero cash benefit. At that time, the Outcome payment period begins (No further Milestone payments will be made) where the EN may receive an Outcome payment at a reduced rate. The calculation for this payment is 34% of PCB minus 1/60th of the Milestone payments already made. The following scenario, Figure 2, depicts a Ticket-holder and what could happen over a 12-month period, including reaching a zero cash benefit prior to the fourth Milestone. Figure 2: 12 Month Scenario Under the Outcome Milestone Payment Method Month 1: IWP is signed. No claim for payment made Month 2: Ticket-holder starts work. Earnings are not sufficient yet to make a claim for payment. Month 3: Ticket-holder earns above SGA. EN Submits claim for first milestone payment (SSI = $169 and SSDI = $268). Month 4 and 5: Ticket-holder continues to earn above SGA each month. EN submits claim for Milestone number two (SSI = $339 and SSDI = $572). Month 6 through 9: Ticket-holder continues to earn above SGA each month. EN submits claim for third milestone payment (SSI = $678 and SSDI = $1,143). Month 10: Ticket-holder achieves a zero cash benefits earnings level. EN submits a payment claim for the first outcome payment at a reduced rate (SSI = $149 and SSDI = $252). Month 11: Ticket-holder continues to earn at a level where they do not receive a cash benefit. EN submits a claim for the second outcome payment at a reduced rate (SSI = $149 and SSDI = $252). Month 12: The Ticket-holder again achieves earnings such that they receive a zero cash benefit. The EN can again submit a claim for the next outcome payment at a reduced rate (SSI = $149 and SSDI = $252). . Under this scenario, after one year the EN could receive $1,633 for a successful SSI Ticket-holder and $2,757 for a successful SSDI Ticket-holder. Note: in month 10, the EN switches to the Outcome payments at a reduced rate. When making your decision on what payment method to use look at the current population you serve and the potential population you could serve in the future. Ask yourself how soon they will likely reach the zero cash benefits level. Remember you can change your payment option once in the first 12 months and then approximately every 18 months when allowed by the Social Security Administration. The change only affects new Tickets assigned after the date of the change. If you have questions about your payment option, please call us. *SGA is a SSA earnings guideline used to evaluate work activity. SGA for 2004 = $810 for non-blind beneficiary and $1350 for a blind beneficiary. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Contact Hours Available for Ticket to Work Online Courses CRC Contact Hours are available for successful completion of any Ticket to Work Online Courses. To receive CRC Contact Hours, contact Andrea Stapleton at andreastapleton@maximus.com for enrollment information. Type "CRC Enrollment" in the subject field and include your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Keep Your Contact Information Up-to-Date In order to keep you updated on the latest Ticket to Work news and information, we need you to keep us informed of any changes to your contact information. You can e-mail, fax, or write us with updates to this information, including the services you provide, groups served, and service area. EN Capitalization & Ticket to Work Training Registration Form To register for an upcoming EN Capitalization & Ticket to Work Training session, you may either access the registration form at www.yourtickettowork.com and click on EN Capitalization Resources, or call 1-866-968-7842 ext. 6662 CD-ROM Training Now Available 1.IWP Process 2.Payment Process ENs may request these CDs from the Training Team Join the November 16th EN Forum Discussion Date: November 18, 2004 Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time Topic: Timely Progress Reports Topic Description: Timely Progress Reviews are being distributed in November to ENs in Phase I states who have Ticket assignments over 24-months. Phase I states include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Terry Martin, Training Manager, will be discussing the process and impact of the Timely Progress Reviews. Training encourages all ENs to join this informative forum. Directions to Navigate the EN Forum Available on Web site Navigation instructions for the EN Forum can now be found on the Web site at www.yourtickettowork.com under "Training." If you are not currently enrolled in the EN Forum, please send an e-mail request to Andrea Stapleton at andreastapleton@maximus.com. Type "EN Forum Enrollment" in the subject field and include your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Enrollment information and navigation instructions will be e-mailed back to you. The EN Forum is accessible by approved ENs only. Meet the Training Team Terry Martin, Training Manager Ext. 6602 terrymartin@maximus.com Dan Betts, Marketing Supervisor Ext. 6717 danbetts@maximus.com Andrea Stapleton, Training Coordinator Ext. 6616 andreastapleton@maximus.com Wendy Brodhead, Training Coordinator Ext. 6619 jwendybrodhead@maximus.com Michelle Grande, Training Coordinator Ext. 6618 michellegrande@maximus.com Eric Midder, QA Coordinator Ext. 6687 ericmidder@maximus.com Damarie Rovnak, Training Coordinator Ext. 6645 damarierovnak@maximus.com For more information, please call us at the Ticket to Work toll-free number 1-866-YOURTICKET (1-866-968-7842); fax us at 703-683-0957; or visit us at our Web site www.yourtickettowork.com