Counseling & Ticket to Work

Counseling & Case Management

The DaVinci Center offers case management to residents of all ages who live in the North End of Providence. Referrals are made when special needs are called for. Contact us at 272-8010 for more information.

Senior Citizens are referred to the DaVinci Center Senior Social Worker at 272-7474.

Clients are seen by appointment only. All of the following services are free of charge. For more information, call us at 272-8010.

Ticket to Work

The DaVinci Center has contracted with the Social Security Administration to assist beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI residing in Rhode Island to obtain gainful paid employment. SSI and SSDI recipients have disabilities that make it difficult for them to obtain employment. Under the Ticket to Work Program, The DaVinci Center is prepared to offer these recipients whatever services they require that will enable them to find suitable paid jobs.

These services include a comprehensive assessment; drafting of resumes and cover letters; job readiness skills; job search activities and job retention services. If you are a recipient of SSI or SSDI and believe this program may benefit you please call us at 272-7474 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

FAQ { Frequently Asked Questions }

What services does the DaVinci Center provide to Ticket to Work recipients?

The DaVinci Center has over thirty years of experience providing assistance to those seeking employment.

Generally, these services for Ticket recipients include:

• Assessment of work skills, work experience, education, training, and any other factors related to employment.
• Assessment of disability and any barriers to employment.
• Career information, job market information.
• Determining short term and long term employment goals.
• Creation of a resume and cover letters.
• Job readiness training.
• Job search activities including Internet searches.
• Assistance with applications either on paper, on-line, or via e-mail.
• Practice job interviews.
• Job retention services once employed.
• Personal support at all times.

What will happen when I call the Center?

When you call, or someone calls on your behalf, tell the receptionist that you would like to talk to someone about the Ticket to Work Program.

During the call you will be given a brief explanation of the Ticket Program and any questions you have will be answered. If you decide that you would like an appointment, one will be set up for you. During that first appointment, a detailed explanation of the Ticket Program will be provided to your satisfaction. If you wish to continue, the assessment process will begin. This process may take two or more meetings.

When does my Ticket become active with the DaVinci Center ?

A Ticket recipient is referred to as a beneficiary by Social Security. Your Ticket becomes active with the DaVinci Center when:

• Both the beneficiary and the DaVinci Center agree that obtaining gainful employment is a realistic goal for the beneficiary.
• An Individual Work Plan is prepared, signed and dated by the beneficiary and the DaVinci Center ; and submitted to Maximus, the Program Manager for the Social Security Administration.
• The Individual Work Plan is approved by Maximus.
• Are there any costs for the services under Ticket to Work?

As a contracted Employment Network with the Social Security Administration, all services are provided free of all charges or fees to the beneficiary.

Can I withdraw from the Ticket program if I decide to end my involvement?

Beneficiaries who have an approved Individual Work Plan can end their participation at any time by notifying Maximus of their intent. The DaVinci Center can also end participation with a beneficiary by notifying Maximus when a beneficiary is no longer active in the program.

Does the DaVinci Center Ticket Program have jobs available to beneficiaries?

No, the Center does not provide jobs but assists beneficiaries to obtain gainful employment that is appropriate for each individual in the program. Gainful employment is defined by Social Security as monthly earnings at or above a gross amount of $860. Social Security calls this income level “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). The amount is determined for each calendar year. $860 is the SGA for 2006.

Does the DaVinci Center provide job training or fund job training?

No, the DaVinci Center does not provide job training and does not provide funds for job training. However, the DaVinci Center can provide information and referral for job training and scholarship opportunities.

How will paid employment affect my present Social Security benefits?

This is a very important question. Keep in mind that the goal of the Ticket To Work Program is to assist Social Security beneficiaries to obtain employment at a level of income that will eliminate eligibility for a monthly cash benefit. In other words, a beneficiary’s disability is not a barrier to gainful employment. Other effects on benefits are specific to each beneficiary’s circumstances and will be explained to each Ticket Program participant.

What if I want some paid work to augment my monthly cash benefit, but I do not want to lose my present cash benefit?

The purpose of the Ticket To Work Program is to afford employment services to those beneficiaries who believe that they can work productively and earn income that allows them to live independently of Social Security cash benefits.

What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are “insured” by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) paid on their earnings or those of their spouses or parents.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind and disabled people who have limited income and resources. They may have never paid into FICA, or paid an insufficient amount to qualify for SSDI.

SSDI and SSI programs share many concepts and terms. However, there are also very important differences in the rules affecting eligibility and benefit payments. Some individuals may qualify for both programs.

I am an SSI beneficiary. What are the more important points for me to know if I decide to become employed?

• Your earned income must be reported to Social Security by the 10th day of the following month as well as any other change in your circumstances. Your earned income will likely affect your monthly cash benefit amount at some point. You could earn sufficient monthly income to reduce or to end your eligibility for a Social Security cash benefit.
• Even if you no longer qualify for a cash benefit, your Medicaid may continue.
• If you qualify for Food Stamps, the amount you receive may be adjusted.
• If you live in subsidized housing, your rent may be adjusted.
• If, as a result of employment, you no longer receive a Social Security monthly cash benefit but must cease work due to a condition related to your disability, you may be immediately reinstated for SSI cash benefits without having to file a new application.
• If your employment is part time and your hourly wage is at or near the minimum wage, you may not generate much more monthly income than you presently receive. However, some may enjoy the social benefits and self fulfillment that employment may provide.

I am an SSDI recipient. What are the most important points for me to know if I decide to become employed?

• You are entitled to a nine month Trial Work Period. That means that every month you gross more than $620 in 2006 from paid employment will be counted as one “service” month. You may acquire up to nine “service” months over a rolling 60 month period. During that time you will continue to receive your SSDI monthly cash benefit as well as your employment earnings no matter what the amount is that you earn. Once the ninth “service” month is reached after the following month plus two “grace” months, your Social Security cash benefits will cease. This is a way for beneficiaries to test their ability to be gainfully employed for up to a full year.
• Following the Trial Work Period, beneficiaries are eligible for an Extended Period of Eligibility. During this period you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive Social Security cash benefits for any month your earnings from employment fall below SGA. SGA for 2006 is $860.
• If you no longer qualify for a Social Security cash benefit and cease work due to a condition related to your qualifying disability, you may be eligible for “expedited reinstatement “. Your benefits will start again without having to file a new application if you notify SS within a five year period from the date you were terminated from SSDI benefits.

As an SSDI beneficiary am I eligible for medical coverage?

With a few exceptions, for most SSDI beneficiaries there is a twenty four month waiting period before becoming eligible for Medicare coverage.

What SSI or SSDI beneficiaries can best benefit from the Ticket To Work Program?

Every SSI and SSDI recipient in Rhode Island received a Ticket To Work from Maximus. The use of the Ticket is voluntary. Choosing not to use the Ticket will not affect beneficiary benefits in any way. In reality, only a small number of beneficiaries can actually use the Ticket in a way that meets the goal of the Ticket program. That goal is to create more opportunities for beneficiaries to enter employment and earn income that will enable them to be independent of Social Security. Those who can best benefit are those who:

• In consultation with their medical care givers, are confident that they are able to work in gainful employment.
• Are enthusiastic and determined about being employed.
• Have skills, training or education that employers look for when hiring.
• Understand that finding a job requires work and patience as it does for anyone searching for employment.
• Recognize that having impairment does not need to be a permanent barrier to employment.