Vocational Rehabilitation Providers’ Handbook

Social Security Administration

Office of Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support

Office of Employment Support

Vocational Rehabilitation

Providers’ Handbook

(2020 Edition)

Please send any questions about this Handbook to [email protected]

Table of Contents

Preface............................................................................................................................................ 5

Purpose of the Handbook ........................................................................................................... 5

Web-Based Ticket Portal for Cost Reimbursements and Ticket to Work Operations .............. 5

Introduction to the Social Security Administration’s Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement

Program .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Background ................................................................................................................................ 6

Legislative Authority ................................................................................................................. 6

Regulatory Authority ................................................................................................................. 6

Purposes of the Program ............................................................................................................ 6

Program History ......................................................................................................................... 6

SSA's Role ................................................................................................................................. 7

The Reimbursement Process ...................................................................................................... 8

The VR Provider's Role ............................................................................................................. 8

Requirements for Payment ............................................................................................................. 9

General Requirements ................................................................................................................ 9

Benefit Status ............................................................................................................................. 9

When Services Must Be Provided ............................................................................................. 9

Determining the Payment Period ............................................................................................. 10

Determining the Period of VR within the Payment Period...................................................... 12

Post-employment Services ....................................................................................................... 13

Services for which Reimbursement may be paid ..................................................................... 13

General Services .......................................................................................................... 13

Specific Services .......................................................................................................... 14

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) ......................................................................................... 15

What is meant by SGA ................................................................................................ 15

What is meant by a Continuous Period of SGA .......................................................... 15

Basis for VR Reimbursement Claims .......................................................................................... 18

Continuous Period of SGA ...................................................................................................... 18

Medical recovery during VR ................................................................................................... 18

Types of Claims ........................................................................................................................... 20

Initial Claim ............................................................................................................................. 20

Supplemental Claim ................................................................................................................. 20

Reconsideration Claim ............................................................................................................. 20

Submitting a Claim for Reimbursement ...................................................................................... 21

Processing the claim ................................................................................................................ 21

Completion of the SSA-199 ..................................................................................................... 22

Timeframe for Submitting Claims ........................................................................................... 27

Claims Based on the Beneficiary's Completion of a Continuous Period of SGA ....... 27

Claims Based on VR Medical Cessation (Section 301 Claims) .................................. 27

VR Claim Documentation Requirements .................................................................................... 27

Service Codes List ....................................................................................................................... 29

SSA Codes ............................................................................................................................... 29

RSA Codes ............................................................................................................................... 31

SGA Documentation ................................................................................................................ 32

Benefit Status Documentation ................................................................................................. 32

Direct Costs Documentation .................................................................................................... 32

VR Services Documentation .................................................................................................... 32

Payment Appeals Process ............................................................................................................ 34

Requesting a Reconsideration .................................................................................................. 34

Reconsideration Decision ........................................................................................................ 34

Cost Containment Policies ........................................................................................................... 36

Similar/Comparable Benefits ....................................................................................................... 37

Exceptions ................................................................................................................................ 37

Direct and Indirect Costs ............................................................................................................. 38

Direct Costs .............................................................................................................................. 38

Indirect Costs ........................................................................................................................... 38

Advance Funding ......................................................................................................................... 39

Cost Formulas .............................................................................................................................. 39

Payment Validation Reviews ....................................................................................................... 41

PVR Documentation Requirements ......................................................................................... 42

Submitting Documentation to SSA .......................................................................................... 43

Technician’s Action ................................................................................................................. 43

Requests for Reconsiderations ................................................................................................. 44

Overlapping Cost Reimbursement Claims................................................................................... 45

Ticket to Work ............................................................................................................................. 46

How the Ticket Program Works .............................................................................................. 46

Who is eligible for a Ticket? .................................................................................................... 47

Ticket Program Participation ................................................................................................... 47

State VR Agency Participation .................................................................................... 47

VREN Policy ............................................................................................................... 47

Discontinued Participation As An Employment Network .......................................... 48

Beneficiary Participation ............................................................................................. 48

Selecting a Provider Using the Ticket Program Manager ....................................................... 49

Developing a Plan for Self-Supporting Employment .................................................. 49

Payment Options Available to State VR Agencies and ENs ....................................................... 50

Payment Options Available to an EN ...................................................................................... 50

Payment Options Available to a State VR Agency ................................................................. 50

Overview of In-Use SVR and Ticket Assignment ....................................................................... 52

In-Use SVR Status ................................................................................................................... 52

Eligibility and Assignability .................................................................................................... 52

Proof of a Beneficiary’s Decision to Assign a Ticket.............................................................. 53

Process for a State VR to place a Ticket “In-Use SVR” .......................................................... 53

Electronic Data File Requirements .............................................................................. 53

The Importance of Submitting the Data File ............................................................... 53

Terminating In-Use SVR Status or Unassigning a Ticket ........................................... 54

Changing the Cost Reimbursement Payment Option to Ticket Assignment ........................... 56

Post-Employment Services and In-Use SVR .............................................................. 56

When Ticket Use Begins and Ends .......................................................................................... 56

When Using a Ticket Begins ....................................................................................... 56

When Using a Ticket Ends .......................................................................................... 56

The Effect of Ticket Terminations ........................................................................................... 57

Eligibility for a New Ticket ..................................................................................................... 58

When a Beneficiary Seeks VR Services While the Ticket Is Assigned to an EN ....................... 59

Suspension of Medical Reviews for Beneficiaries Who Are Using a Ticket .............................. 60

Annual Periodic Reports from the Ticket Program Manager (TPM) .......................................... 60

The Redbook – A Guide to Work Incentives ............................................................................... 61

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) .................................... 61

Dictionary of Occupational Titles ................................................................................................ 61

Preface

Purpose of the Handbook

This handbook is an instructional guide for State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies

serving Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries and Supplemental Security

Income recipients under the Social Security Administration, VR Cost Reimbursement and

Ticket to Work programs.

Web-Based Ticket Portal for Cost Reimbursements and Ticket to Work Operations

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) web-based Ticket Portal (Portal) is available

to State VR agency personnel who have obtained Federal suitability clearance. Agency

personnel may request access to the Ticket Portal for use in carrying out key aspects of

SSA’s return to work programs, such as assigning or placing a Ticket in use or requesting

reimbursements or Ticket payments. Agency personnel with suitability clearance will gain

access to the Ticket Portal User Guide and may request technical assistance with Portal

usage.

The VRA Operations Team in the Office of Research, Development, and Employment

Support is responsible for the contents of this handbook.

Introduction to the Social Security Administration’s Vocational

Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program

Background

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Reimbursement Program to help people with disabilities go to work. Under this program,

SSA reimburses State VR agencies for the costs of the services they provide to beneficiaries

with disabilities if such services result in the individual achieving work at a specified

earnings level.

Legislative Authority

The Social Security Act (the Act) contains the legislative authority for SSA's VR program.

Section 222(d) of the Act provides the authority for SSA to reimburse State VR agencies

for the cost of rehabilitation services to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

beneficiaries. Section 1615 of the Act provides the authority to reimburse the cost of

services provided to disabled or blind Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.

Regulatory Authority

SSA published the initial regulations to implement this legislation in 1983. The regulations

governing SSA's VR program are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 20

CFR 404.2101 through 404.2127 for the SSDI program and 20 CFR 416.2201 through

416.2227 for the SSI program.

Purposes of the Program

The purpose of SSA's VR Cost Reimbursement Program is to:

• Make VR services more readily available to disabled or blind Social Security

beneficiaries and recipients; and

• Achieve estimated savings for the Social Security Title II trust funds and the

Title XVI general revenue fund.

We reimburse State VR agencies from the Title II trust fund for VR services to SSDI

beneficiaries and from the Title XVI general fund for services to SSI recipients. For ease of

reference throughout this handbook, we will use the term beneficiaries with disabilities to

refer to both SSDI beneficiaries and SSI recipients unless there is a difference between the

two programs in how to handle reimbursement claims. Savings to the trust or general funds

accrue as people go back to work and reduce reliance on monthly Federal cash benefits.

Program History

Congress established the current VR Reimbursement Program in 1981 to encourage State

VR agencies to provide services that would result in work by beneficiaries with

disabilities. Prior to 1981, SSA awarded State VR agencies block grants to work with

Social Security clients. However, this program did not provide information about how the

funds were used on an individual case basis. Consequently, SSA could not determine

whether the VR services for which it was paying resulted in work. To address this issue,

Congress changed SSA's VR program to make it more result oriented.

Under the current program, Social Security trust funds and general revenues pay for VR

services in those cases in which the services contribute to the performance of substantial

work for a period of nine continuous months.

Although the primary focus of the VR program is to help people with disabilities go to

work, there is another instance when SSA pays for VR services. It is when an individual

continues with a VR program after SSA determines the person's disability ceased because

of medical recovery.

The primary conditions for reimbursement are as follows:

• The individual must be a disability beneficiary or SSI recipient at the time the

services are provided;

• The services must have contributed to the individual going to work at a

specified earnings level referred to as the substantial gainful activity (SGA)

amount;

• The services must be determined to be reasonable and necessary; and

• Estimated savings to the trust or general funds must be achieved as a result of the

individual going to work and reducing or eliminating benefit dependency.*

• The services are provided to an individual who medically recovers from a

disability but continues to receive benefits because of participation in an

approved VR program, which will increase the likelihood of permanent removal

from the disability rolls.

*By law, payments made to providers under the VR program cannot exceed the estimated

savings to these funds should the beneficiary leave the benefit rolls.

SSA's Role

SSA reimburses providers for the costs of VR services if the provider furnishes services

that result in the individual performing SGA along with the other requirements. SSA does

not directly provide the rehabilitation services. State VR agencies furnish the services.

State VR agencies operate under regulations issued by the Rehabilitation Services

Administration (RSA) and use existing rehabilitation definitions and practices including

RSA cost containment guidelines.

The Reimbursement Process

State VR agencies may submit claims to SSA for the costs of rehabilitation services if the

individual successfully completes a rehabilitation program or medically recovers while

continuing to participate in VR. SSA reviews these claims to ensure they meet the payment

requirements. Once the VR meets the requirements, SSA will reimburse the provider for

the reasonable and necessary costs of its services.

The VR Provider's Role

The State VR agency is responsible for assessing the person's rehabilitation potential,

deciding to accept the person as a client, notifying SSA if it accepts the person as a client,

and arranging for VR services.

For accepted individuals, the provider is responsible for developing a rehabilitation

program for the beneficiary that will result in the individual attaining work at the SGA level

for a continuous period of at least 9 months. The provider is responsible for either

furnishing the services itself or coordinating the delivery of such services through

subcontractors or other sources. Once the rehabilitation program is completed and the

client has worked at the SGA level for a continuous period of at least 9 months, the

provider is responsible for submitting a properly documented claim for payment to SSA.

The Referral Process (Repealed Nationwide as of November 1, 2003)

Full implementation of the Ticket to Work program occurred on November 1, 2003 in all

States and territories, and the authority to refer disability applicants or beneficiaries was

repealed nationwide.

Title XVI recipients who have not attained the age of 16 will continue to be referred to the

appropriate State agency administering the State program under Title V of the Social Security

Act.

Requirements for Payment

General Requirements

SSA will reimburse a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency for the reasonable and

necessary costs incurred in providing VR services to a Social Security Disability Insurance

or Supplemental Security Income disability or blindness beneficiary. The primary

conditions for paying a provider for the cost of such services are as follows:

• The individual served must be a disability beneficiary at the time the services were

provided.

• The services must have contributed to the beneficiary's employment at the SGA

level.

• The services must be determined to be reasonable and necessary; and

• There must be estimated savings to the trust or general funds from the person’s

reduced reliance on program benefits. (The amount that can be paid to a VR

provider may be limited in situations where the anticipated savings to the trust fund

and general fund is less than the amount claimed by the provider.)

The only other way SSA will make payments under VR services is a 301 claim. This

involves payments to providers in a case where a person medically recovers while

participating in an approved VR program.

Benefit Status

As indicated above, an individual must be a disabled or blind beneficiary at the time the

services were provided. This means that the services must have been provided during a

month in which the individual met all requirements for SSDI benefits or was eligible for

SSI disability or blindness payments.

An individual is considered to be in benefit status for VR reimbursement purposes even

when no cash payments were actually made during a month because of certain benefit

suspension, deduction, or reduction events.

However, an individual is not considered a SSDI beneficiary or SSI recipient for a cost

reimbursement claim when the benefit status was terminated during the period in which

services were provided.

When Services Must Be Provided

In order for the VR provider to be paid, the services must have been provided during what

is called the payment period. Only VR services provided during the payment period can be

reimbursed.

Two different VR Providers can be paid for the same payment period as long as they

provided different services.

This period is determined by the type of benefits the person is entitled to and when the person

was entitled to the benefits, and when the person received VR services. It is determined as

follows:

Determining the Payment Period

Type of Benefits and When They Were Received

The type of benefits the person is receiving are used to determine the payment period.

For a SSDI Beneficiary:

The payment period for a SSDI beneficiary begins the later of:

• the first day of the month the waiting period begins (the waiting period is a five

consecutive calendar-month period throughout which an individual must be

under a disability and which must be served before disability benefits can be

paid.); or

• the first day of the first month of Social Security disability insurance

(SSDI) entitlement, if no waiting period is required.

The payment period ends the earlier of:

• the last day of the last month the benefits for disability or blindness were

terminated; or

• the last day of the month the VR continuous period of SGA ended (the 9-month

period during which the beneficiary has worked at the SGA level).

For a Disabled or Blind SSI Recipient:

The payment period for a disabled or blind SSI recipient begins the first day of the first

month of SSI eligibility based on disability or blindness.

The payment period ends the earlier of:

• the last day of the last month the benefits for disability or blindness ceases or

terminates; or

• the last day of the last month the VR continuous period of SGA ended (the 9-

month period during which the beneficiary worked at the SGA level).

(It includes months in which an individual, for reasons other than cessation of disability or

blindness, was ineligible to receive Federal SSI payments)

For a SSDI/SSI Concurrent Beneficiary:

The payment period for an individual entitled to both SSDI and SSI disability benefits is

determined by which payment period is more advantageous to the VR provider. Since

reimbursement can be made for the costs of only those services provided during the

payment period, the more advantageous payment period will be the one that is longer.

Example: The following is an example of how to determine the payment period based on the type of

benefits a person is receiving.

A VR provider filed a reimbursement claim for a SSDI beneficiary.

• SSDI entitlement begins November 2001.

• The beneficiary started a VR program in November 2001. There is no waiting period.

• The beneficiary completed a continuous period of SGA in July 2003.

• Benefits terminated in November 2003.

The net payment period for this claim begins November 1, 2001, (the first day of the first month of

SSDI entitlement) and ends July 31, 2003 (the last day of the last month of the continuous period of

SGA because it is earlier than the last month of entitlement to SSDI benefits.)

Therefore, the VR provider could be reimbursed for any VR service provided to the individual from

November 1, 2001, through July 31, 2003.

Determining the Period of VR within the Payment Period

The payment period sets the boundaries for period during which the provider may be

reimbursed. A payment period is inclusive of a net payment period and a gross payment

period. The direct costs (DC) and Administrative, Counseling, and Placement costs (ACP)

may be paid under the net payment period while any post-employment (will be discussed

later in this section) costs will be paid under the gross payment period. The gross payment

period covers a greater length of service time than the net payment period inclusive of the

net payment period. The provider may be reimbursed for the services it provides only

during the months falling within the payment period if all other requirements for payment

are met. Any services provided during months outside this payment period may be

reimbursed only as post-employment and must fall within the gross payment period to be

reimbursed. The months during which VR services are provided is called the period of VR.

It is defined as follows:

Period of VR

The period of VR is the period during which the beneficiary received VR services. It begins

the first day of the month the referred individual entered into or started VR services (that is,

the month the VR provider accepted the person as a client for VR services or provided

services necessary for assessing the individual's VR needs and eligibility for VR services,

also known as the VR enter date). It ends the last day of the month in which the provider

finished providing services to the individual, that is, closed or ended the case (also known

as the VR closure date).

If for any reason, the provider continues to furnish services and closes the case after the

payment period ends (either by completion of the 9-month period of SGA or the end of

SSDI entitlement or SSI eligibility), the provider will be reimbursed only if the services

fall within the gross payment period.

Example: The VR provider furnished services for assessing the beneficiary's VR potential

on April 15, 2001, accepted the person as a client on May 2, 2001, and finished providing

services in April 2003. The client completed the 9-month continuous period of SGA in

January 2003.

The period of VR for this client begins April 1, 2001 (the first day of the month the client

received VR services) and ends April 30, 2003, (the last day of the month the provider

finished providing services to the individual.)

The net payment period for this individual ends January 31, 2003, the last day of the last

month of the continuous period of SGA. Thus, the provider could be reimbursed only for

any services provided through January 2003. The additional services provided after January

31, 2003, would not be reimbursed because they were furnished after the end of the

payment period.

Post-employment Services

The provider may request payment for post-employment services if the services were

furnished after the month the provider chose to close the case and before the end of the

payment period, no more than 9 months of post-employment can be claimed. These costs

may be claimed by showing the amounts and the months the services were provided on line

14 ("Other Costs") of the SSA-199 (VR Provider Claim) form.

The following is an example of how to determine payment periods and whether costs for

post-employment services may be claimed:

Date Entered VR - 10/2000

Dates of SSI eligibility - 9/2001 - 5/2003

Gross Payment Period Begins - 9/2001

*The payment period begins the first month of SSI eligibility

Month of VR Closure - 6/2002

Month Completed 9-month - 3/2003

Continuous Period of SGA

Payment Period Ends - 3/2003

*The payment period ends the earlier of the last month of SSI eligibility or the last

day of the month the continuous period of SGA ended. Since the SGA period ended earlier

than the last month of SSI eligibility, the payment period ends 3/2003.

Gross Payment Period - 9/2001 through 3/2003

Payment for post-employment services could be requested for services provided after

6/2002 the month the provider closed the case and before the end of the payment period

(3/2003).

Services for which Reimbursement may be paid

General Services

SSA will reimburse a provider for the costs of VR services, which are:

• Necessary to determine an individual's eligibility for VR services or the nature and

scope of the services to be provided; and

• Provided by a State VR agency under an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) or a

similar document but only if the services could reasonably be expected to motivate

or assist the individual in achieving, or continuing in, substantial gainful activity

(SGA).

Specific Services

Payment may be made only for the following VR services:

An assessment for determining an individual's eligibility for VR services and

vocational rehabilitation needs, including if, appropriate, an assessment for

determining:

• the nature and extent of the physical or mental impairment(s) and the

resultant impact on the individual's employability;

• the likelihood that the person will benefit from VR services in terms of

employability; and

• an employment goal consistent with the individual's capacities and

employment opportunities.

Counseling and guidance, including personal adjustment counseling, and referrals

and other services necessary to help an individual secure needed services from other

agencies;

Physical and mental restoration services necessary to correct or substantially modify

a physical or mental condition which is stable or slowly progressive and which

constitutes an impediment to suitable employment at or above the SGA level;

Vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational

adjustment, books, tools, and other training materials; exception - training or

training services in institutions of higher education will be reimbursed only if the

provider has made maximum efforts to secure grant assistance from other sources.

*Therefore, we are requesting proof of efforts made by the VR to acquire funding

for educational and or training expenses. Proof may be in the form of denial letter

from Department of Education., award letter with low amount, written notice to

Department of education, etc.* Note: This documentation and proof will be a

requirement that is mandatory when claiming educational or training expenses.

Maintenance expenses over and above the individual's normal living expenses and

incurred solely because of the individual's participation in a VR program and

necessary in order for the individual to benefit from other necessary VR services;

Travel and related expenses necessary to transport an individual for the purpose of

enabling the individual's participation in other necessary VR services;

Services to family members of a disabled individual, only if necessary to the

successful vocational rehabilitation of that individual;

Interpreter services and note-taking services necessary to enable any individual with

a disability to comprehend information being communicated;

Reader services, rehabilitation teaching services, note-taking services and

orientation and mobility services for an individual who is blind;

Telecommunications, sensory, and other technological aids and devices;

Employer-designed and collaborated training programs;

Work-related placement services to secure suitable employment including

apprenticeships;

Post-employment services, as discussed below, provided after the month of VR

closure that are necessary to assist the individual to maintain, regain or advance

into suitable employment at or above the SGA level;

Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks, and supplies;

Rehabilitation technology services;

Other goods and services that can reasonably be expected to motivate or assist the

individual in achieving, returning to, or continuing in, SGA.

Technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses,

develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources, to the extent that those

resources are authorized to be provided through the statewide work force investment

system to eligible individuals who are pursuing self-employment, telecommuting or

establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome.

NOTE: A provider is not obligated to close a case prior to the beneficiary’s completion of

the 9-month continuous period of SGA. In some instances, a provider might, keep a case

open and active until the individual completes the 9-month SGA period for its own reasons.

In such an instance, the provider could not request reimbursement for post-employment

services. However, the provider could request payment for the costs of its direct services if

all other requirements for payment are met.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

One of the requirements for payment is that the VR services contributed to the beneficiary's

return to work for a continuous period of SGA.

What is meant by SGA

SGA means doing work that:

• involves doing significant and productive physical or mental duties; and

• is done for pay or profit.

The work may be substantial even if it is done on a part-time basis or if the individual does

less, gets paid less, or has less responsibility than compared to the work the individual did

previously. It is generally measured at a specified earnings level, which changes

periodically.

What is meant by a Continuous Period of SGA

A continuous period of SGA is a period of 9 months of SGA within 12 consecutive

calendar months. A beneficiary is considered to have completed a continuous period of

SGA if the individual performed SGA in:

o 9 consecutive months;

o 9 of 10 consecutive months regardless of the reason for the one-month break; or

o at least 9 months within 12 consecutive months, if the break in SGA was due to

circumstances beyond the individual's control and unrelated to the person's

impairment.

*Note: An explanation that confirms the break in SGA is not due to the beneficiary’s

impairment should be sent with the claim to ensure the SGA months are considered for

payment. This can be similar to the case notes that you submit with C3 requests.

Determining Whether the VR Services Contributed to the Continuous Period of SGA

The determination of whether the VR services contributed to the continuous period of SGA

is made by considering when the services were provided and whether the individual

medically recovered.

For individuals who received more than evaluation services, SSA makes this

determination as follows:

The Individual Completed a Continuous Period without Medical Recovery

The determination as to whether VR services contributed to SGA depends on whether the

VR continuous period of SGA began one year or less after the period of VR services ended

or more than one year after VR services ended.

One year or less

Any VR services that significantly motivated or assisted the individual in achieving,

or continuing in, SGA will be considered to have contributed to the continuous

period.

More than one year

• If the continuous period was preceded by transitional work activity (employment or

self-employment which gradually evolved, with or without periodic interruption, into

SGA), and that work activity began less than a year after VR services ended, any VR

services which significantly motivated or assisted the individual in returning to, or

continuing in, SGA will be considered to have contributed to the continuous period.

• If the continuous period was not preceded by transitional work activity that began less

than a year after VR services ended, VR services will be considered to have

contributed to the continuous period only if it is reasonable to conclude that the work

activity which constitutes a continuous period could not have occurred without the VR

services (e.g., training).

*Note: If documentation is not clear, convincing, and deemed acceptable by SSA, the

claim will be denied.

The Individual Medically Recovered Before Completing a Continuous Period

If an individual medically recovers before a continuous period has been completed, we will

not pay for the VR services unless some VR services contributed to the medical recovery.

These are known as 301 claims (discussed in chapter 3).

VR services will be considered to have contributed to the medical recovery if:

1. The provider's IPE or similar document for that beneficiary included medical

services; and

2. The medical recovery occurred, at least in part, because of these medical

services. (For example, the individual's medical recovery was based on

improvement in a back condition that, at least in part, stemmed from surgery

initiated, coordinated or provided under the beneficiary's IPE or similar

document.

If the VR provider did not provide, initiate, or coordinate medical services, payment for VR

services may still be possible if:

1. The medical recovery was not expected by SSA; and,

2. The individual's impairment is determined by SSA to be of such a nature that

any medical services provided would not ordinarily have resulted in, or

contributed to, the medical cessation.

NOTE: If a provider claims payment for services to an individual who received only

evaluation services, it must establish that the individual's continuous period or medical

recovery (if medical recovery occurred before completion of a continuous period) would

not have occurred without the services provided.

Basis for VR Reimbursement Claims

SSA will approve payment to a provider under two circumstances, a continuous period of

SGA or medical recovery during VR, also known as a 301 claim.

Continuous Period of SGA

A claim for a disability beneficiary who has completed a continuous period of SGA is

commonly referred to as an SGA claim.

An SGA claim is a claim for reimbursement to a VR provider for the costs of its services

because the beneficiary completed a continuous period of 9 months of work at the SGA

level, and the services provided by the State VR agency contributed to such completion and

were provided within the payment period;

The primary conditions for payment for an SGA case are as follows:

• The individual served must be a disability beneficiary or blind or disabled SSI

recipient at the time the services are provided;

• The VR services must have contributed to the individual going to work at the

SGA level;

• The services provided must be reasonable and necessary; and

• Savings to the trust or general funds must be achieved as a result of the individual

going to work and reducing or eliminating benefit dependency.

Medical recovery during VR

Medical recovery during VR is a claim in which the provider is due payment for the costs

of services provided to a disability beneficiary who has medically recovered but is

participating in an approved VR program. These are commonly referred to as section 301

claims because of the legislative section that provided for benefit continuation to these

individuals.

To be reimbursable, the services must have been provided during the payment period. The

start of the payment period for these claims is determined in the same manner as for other

claims.

Important Facts about VR Medical Cessation (Section 301) Claims

• Completion of a 9 month period of SGA level work is not required for

reimbursement in a 301 case;

• A provider cannot be paid for a section 301 claim and continuous period of SGA

claim for the same individual for the same period of VR.

• A provider cannot be paid unless the individual's benefit payments have been

terminated.

• The payment period for VR medical cessation claims ends the month before benefit

entitlement or eligibility terminates.

• Benefit entitlement or eligibility terminates with whichever one of the following

events is earliest:

the beneficiary completes the VR program;

the beneficiary stops participating in the VR program; or

SSA determines that the individual's continued participation in the VR program

will not increase the likelihood of the individual's permanent removal from the

benefit rolls.

Types of Claims

The following describes the types of claims that a VR provider can file:

Initial Claim

An initial claim is the first claim filed for reimbursement by a provider for a specific

disability beneficiary and social security number (SSN).

Supplemental Claim

A supplemental claim is a claim for reimbursement for additional direct costs after SSA has

paid a previous claim. It is a claim for costs incurred for the same person as the initial

claim and is based upon the same period of VR as the initial claim.

A supplemental claim is not the same as a reconsideration claim because it is not an appeal

of SSA's decision but an addendum of the previous claim (for example, the provider finds

that it did not include the cost of an additional service when it filed its initial claim).

If the provider refiles the claim before SSA has made payment on the initial claim, the

refiled claim is not a supplemental claim. For a supplemental claim, costs are only payable

for additional direct cost or post-employment cost that fall in the net and gross payment

period of the initial claim. These claims are limited to filing within 1 year of the initial

claim payment date.

Reconsideration Claim

A reconsideration claim is a claim that was previously denied with no payment made to

the VR and is an appeal of SSA's original decision. It is for the same period of VR services

as the original claim. Reconsiderations must state the reason for reconsideration. SSA will

only accept or address one reconsideration request per claim if the denial is due to

earnings. For all other denials, you may contact the VR helpdesk. Note: Adjustments will

also be given to VR’s who disagree with payment amount upon request with an

explanation of why the original payment amount was incorrect.

Submitting a Claim for Reimbursement

SSA is responsible for determining whether a claim meets all of the requirements for

payment and the amount to be paid. A State VR agency must file a claim for payment for

each individual case for which it is seeking payment. State VR agencies must submit a

claim to SSA using the SSA-199 (Vocational Rehabilitation Provider Claim) form (or a

computer-generated version of the form). It must contain all the required documentation,

and conform to all the requirements for payment. The required method of submission is by

upload or input through the SSA Portal. The SSA Portal displays the status of claims in

real-time.

Processing the claim

The provider submits a claim for reimbursement.

SSA verifies that the provider has submitted sufficient earnings documentation

showing 3 out of 4 quarters at/above SGA.

SSA verifies that the provider has submitted the correct social security number on

the claim.

SSA verifies that the VR client was entitled to SSDI benefits or SSI benefits based

on disability or blindness during the period the individual received VR services.

SSA reviews the claim to determine whether it contains the information necessary

for processing. That information includes verification of earnings to establish a 9-

month continuous period of SGA, verification that the client was a SSDI or SSI

beneficiary during the period VR services was provided, and the monthly

breakdown of direct costs.

SSA reviews the claim to determine whether all requirements for payment are met.

SSA reimburses the VR provider for all or part of the reasonable and necessary

costs of its services or denies the claim.

Completion of the SSA-199

Identifying Information

The State VR agency will complete the web-based SSA-199 using the Portal. The

SSA-199 paper form www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa- 199.pdf will not be accepted.

Fill out the information in the order below:

From: Enter the name and address of the State VR agency

VR DUNS Number: Enter the State VR agency DUNS number

Indicate whether the claim is based on a Continuous Period of SGA, or Medical

Recovery during VR (301 claim) by checking one of the boxes on the form.

Indicate whether the claim is an Initial Claim, Reconsideration, or Supplemental

claim, by checking one of the boxes on the form.

Numbered Items

Provide the name of the person for whom services were provided and

reimbursement is sought.

Indicate the type of disability benefit (SSDI or SSI) the VR client received during

the period for which payment is requested and indicate the individual's social

security number.

Indicate the social security number of the account on which the individual is

receiving benefits if the number is different than the VR client's own number.

Indicate whether the VR client is or is not blind.

a) Enter the month and year (MM/YY) the VR client first entered the VR process

by either signing an application for services or, if earlier, by receiving intake and

assessment services (necessary for evaluating the individual's VR potential.)

b) Enter the month, day and year (MM/DD/YY) the VR client and the State VR

agency signed the IPE.

Enter the month and year (MM/YY) the VR client began to work during the period

for which payment is being requested for the cost of VR services.

If an individual who has completed a “continuous period” of SGA has not medically

recovered as of the date of completion of the period, the determination as to whether

VR services contributed will depend on whether the continuous period began one

year or less after VR services ended or more than one year after VR services ended.

Enter the date, which is the earlier of:

• the month and year (MM/YY) that the VR agency determines the client's

participation in the VR program ends; or

• the month and year (MM/YY) representing the 9th continuous month of

SGA.

If the date shown in item 7 represents the completion of the 9th month of SGA, then

indicate in "Remarks" the following: "Completion of 9th continuous month of SGA

shown in item 7."

Tracking refers to that period of time after a VR client’s case is closed (item 7

above) through the completion of the 9-month continuous period of SGA or 9

months after the VR closure date (item 7); whichever occurs first. List the months

(MM/YYYY) that the State VR agency tracked the individual’s work activity after

closing the case (after the month in item 7). Exclude any month(s) during this period

in which the State VR agency provided a post-employment service.

Indicate if the State VR agency provided, initiated or coordinated medical services

under an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) or similar document.

10.

Leave Blank

11.

Item 11 is the amount the State VR agency paid for a specific item or purchased

service for a beneficiary during the current period of VR services. The current

period of VR services is the period from the date the beneficiary entered the VR

process (item 5) through the date of VR closure or the 9

continuous month of

SGA, whichever is earlier (item 7).

Enter the total cost on line 11 (Direct Costs) from the total cost of services taken

from item 17d on the reverse side of the claims form. These are the costs the State

VR agency incurred to purchase a specific item or service for an individual (for

example, a wheelchair, special glasses, training costs) which are not paid for, or not

payable, by some other source (for example, an insurance company).

Any services, if purchased, and outside the budget scope of the Rehabilitation

Services Administration's (RSA) "Annual VR Rehabilitation Program/Cost Report",

RSA-2 is an additional expense incurred by the VR agency and can be claimed as a

direct cost. This service must be purchased and used specifically for the disabled

individual for whom a reimbursement claim is being filed.

Direct costs cannot be claimed for services that are provided by State VR agency

employees. Services that are provided by the VR agency's employees to

beneficiaries are billable as indirect costs. In the VR reimbursement program, these

services are defined as ACP costs and are factored into payments for reimbursement

claims based on the RSA-2.

12.

Enter the total administrative, counseling and placement costs (also known as

indirect costs) which are related to the current payment period. Include ACP costs

for the month(s) after the State VR agency closed the case and in which post-

employment services (other purchased services) are claimed. These costs should be

based on the net payment period and the cost formulas for the federal fiscal years

(October 1 - September 30) that correspond with these dates.

The amount of ACP costs reimbursed to a VR agency is calculated based on the cost

formula selected annually by the VR agency. The VR cost formula is used to

determine a set monthly ACP amount to reimburse the agency for every month of

the beneficiary's VR payment period for each fiscal year.

Here is an example using the net payment period of 09/2011-12/2015 to calculate

the ACP (keep in mind that each VR has its own approved ACP amount for each

fiscal year).

FY11 (10/2010-09/2011) $217.72 x 1= $217.72

FY12 (10/2011-09/2012) $205.03 x 12= $2460.36

FY13 (10/2012-09/2013) $202.02 x 12= $2424.24

FY14 (10/2013-09/2014) $230.74 x 12= $2768.88

FY15 (10/2014-09/2015) $238.89 x 12= $2866.68

FY16 (10/2015-09/2016) $236.45 x 3= $709.35

TOTAL ACP= $11,447.23

13.

Enter the total amount of tracking costs claimed through FY19. These are costs

incurred only to track or monitor a beneficiary's work activity for up to 9 months

after the VR closure date (shown in item 7) or from the month after the VR closure

date (shown in item 7) to the 9

month of SGA; whichever scenario occurs first.

SSA may pay for up to 9 months of tracking if the VR client completes a 9-month

continuous period of SGA, if the services provided contributed to the SGA, and if

the tracking occurs within the specified payment period.

This amount should be based on the tracking cost formula for the federal fiscal

year(s) (October 1 - September 30) for the tracking period mentioned above.

Tracking costs and ACP costs cannot be claimed for the same month. Therefore,

tracking costs are not payable for any month(s) when post-employment costs (other

purchased services) are claimed. ACP costs should be claimed for that period.

For example, to calculate the tracking costs let’s use a VR closure date of 07/2015

and the SGA period of 09/2015-05/2016. Tracking would begin the month after

VR closure 08/2015 and end nine months later 04/2016 since this date occurs

before the 9th month of SGA. (08/2015-04/2016)

FY15 (10/2014-09/2015) $80.00 x 2= $160.00

FY16 (10/2015-09/2016) $83.00 x 7= $581.00

TOTAL TRACKING=$741.00

If the SGA period was 06/2015-02/2016, then the tracking period would be

(08/2015- 02/2016). It would still begin the month after the VR closure date, but it

would end on the 9th month of SGA since that date occurs before 9 months of

tracking.

Note: In the past, SSA has reimbursed VR agencies for ACP cost in addition to

tracking cost. Since tracking costs are already included in the administrative cost

category, we will no longer reimburse for separate tracking costs. Additionally, we

will no longer reimburse for services to groups, as there is no Individualized Plan for

Employment (IPE) involvement, and services must be outlined under the IPE. Per

RSA, group services are broad community services to populations and not specific to

the achievement of an individual’s IPE goal. This became effective with the FY20 Cost

Formula.

14.

Enter the total amount of "other" expenses and identify what type of “other"

expenses were incurred and the month they were incurred in the "Remarks" section

of the form.

Include the cost of post-employment services under this item. Post-employment

services are services provided to assist individuals in maintaining their current

employment. A State VR agency may request payment for these purchased

services if they are provided after the period of VR ended and before the end of

the payment period. State VR agency expenditures for these services may be

claimed by showing them in Item 14. Services should be identified consistent with

the codes.

15.

Enter the total cost claimed for providing rehabilitation services to this VR client.

This amount is the total of items 11 through 14.

16.

For claims filed based upon the VR client's completion of a 9-month continuous

period of SGA, indicate the principal type of occupation which the individual

performed to obtain the occupation code to be shown in item 16. The occupation

codes and titles are taken from the Department of Labor's (DOL) Dictionary of

Occupational Titles (DOT).

17.

The State VR agency should complete the columns in item 17 of the SSA-199

regarding direct service costs by furnishing the following information for each

instance in which reimbursement is sought for a purchased item or service:

Date of Service: Enter the month and year (MM/YY) in which the services were

provided. Enter the dates in chronological order starting with the earliest date and

concluding with the most recent date prior to the date shown in item 7. The date

shown in item 7 should be the month and year of VR closure or the last month of the

9-month continuous period of SGA, whichever is earlier. For services covering a

span of time (for example, a semester of school), indicate the starting and ending

dates for the service. For each time a service is claimed, show the MM/YY and the

cost. If the same service repeats within a single month (for example, several days of

job counseling), identify the service only once along with the cost for the month.

Type of Service: Enter the code for each type of service provided to the VR client.

Page 28 contains a list of the specific types of direct cost VR services to be entered

in this column. These are items or services that the State VR agency purchased at

its expense and for which it is requesting reimbursement.

Cost of Service: Enter the cost of the service shown in column 17b. This is the

amount for which the State VR agency is seeking reimbursement. The VR agency

cannot seek reimbursement for amounts payable as a similar benefit from another

source.

Total of Column 17c: Enter the sum of the costs shown in column 17c. Also enter

this amount in item 11 as explained above.

The State VR agency must complete all applicable information on the SSA-199.

Signature, Title, Date: An authorized official of the State VR agency must sign and date

the form and indicate his/her title.

Timeframe for Submitting Claims

The VR provider must file claims for reimbursement within specified time periods. The

filing deadline may be waived if "good cause" for late filing is established (for example,

loss of records due to storm damage or other unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances).

If the filing deadline is not met and cannot be waived for "good cause", SSA will deny the

claim.

The time period for filing for reimbursement varies for different types of claims as follows:

Claims Based on the Beneficiary's Completion of a Continuous Period of SGA

The VR provider must file a claim based on the completion of a continuous period of SGA

within 12 months after the month in which the beneficiary completed the continuous period.

For example, if the individual completed a continuous period of 9 months of SGA in May

2016, the provider must file its claim for reimbursement before May 2017.

SGA begins with the first month of VR services (VR enter date) and the month in which the

client is disabled or blind simultaneously, using the later of the two. Therefore, the

employment date that the VR provides, may or may not match SSA’s information since

SSA is under the assumption that employment begins at the start of VR services.

Example: VR enter: 01/14/2016- Disability entitlement date: 03/12/2014, the search for

SGA begins 01/2016. The search for SGA will not begin prior to VR entrance or disability

eligibility date.

NOTE: SGA is established using Social Security records and evidence only in absence

of paystubs or signed documentation from the employer(s) as mentioned in the section

on SGA documentation.

Claims Based on VR Medical Cessation (Section 301 Claims)

The timeframe for filing these claims depends on whether SSA sent the provider a written

notice requesting that it file a claim. In most cases, SSA will identify section 301 cases that

meet the requirements for payment and will send a notice to the provider to file a claim. If

SSA sent a written notice requesting that a claim be filed, the provider must file a section

301 claim within 90 days of the date of the written notice from SSA requesting that a claim

be filed.

However, if a VR provider identifies a potential 301 claim through its own monitoring, and

has not received a written notice from SSA, the provider must file a section 301 claim

within 12 months after the month in which VR services ended.

VR Claim Documentation Requirements

The VR provider is responsible for submitting a properly documented claim. The VR

should make every effort to submit a claim with the required information. Failure to do so

will require that SSA request additional information from the provider and will result in

delaying reimbursement to the provider.

State VR agencies are expected to maintain and provide to SSA upon request, adequate

documentation of all services and costs for beneficiaries with disabilities for whom they

could potentially request payment for such services and costs. Although such

documentation is not required to be submitted with each claim, this information may be

required to process a claim or for documentation in cases of a validation review or an audit.

All CR payment-related documentation should be retained for a minimum of six years after

the close of the federal fiscal year in which the payment was made

The State VR agency must complete all applicable information on the SSA-199 including

the following:

A description of each VR service provided;

When the service was provided; and

The cost of the service.

The VR services for which the provider is requesting payment must meet all of the

following requirements:

The services must be provided during the appropriate payment period

The services must be provided under an IPE or similar document;

The services must be reasonable and necessary; and

Each service must be one of the specific services listed in the on below.

Service Codes List

SSA Codes

Code Category and Sub Category

Intake & Assessment-Diagnosis and Evaluation

Counseling & Guidance-Purchased Counseling/guidance services

Physical/Mental Restoration

Corrective surgery or therapy treatment

Hospitalization in connection with #31

Professional clinic fees

Prescriptions for medications

35 Treatment for substance addition to alcohol or drugs

Other restorative services not covered above

Training

Post-secondary education

42 Business/Vocational school(includes business college)

Elementary/High/General Equivalency (GED)

Personal/Vocational adjustment training

(includes cognitive /remedial training job club)

On-the- job training

Supportive work services such as job coaching

Other training (for example, driver's education)

Educational materials used in training (books, training tools, equipment,

supplies, etc.)

Maintenance

Client room and board and personal items (clothing, uniform, alarm clock,

hygiene items, etc.)

Personal attendant care

Travel (transportation expense to help the person to participate in other

necessary VR services)

61 Travel via common carrier(includes paratransit and dial-a-ride)

Private transportation arrangements

Vehicle purchases or rental for client (if deemed most cost-effective

transportation solution)

Services to Family Members: Services to the client's family members only if

such services are necessary to the successful rehabilitation of the client.

Dependent assistance

Services for the Deaf and/or Blind: Specialized communication and

mobility services to assist clients with a hearing and/or visual impairment.

81 Interpreter and note-taking services

82 Reader, tactile interpreting, and driver services

83 Orientation and mobility services

Low vision aids and adjustment to blindness

Rehabilitation Technology: Services using telecommunications,

sensory and other technological aids and devices enabling the

individual to work.

Rehabilitation engineering services which entail an original design or concept

that is innovative and not an adaptation of an existing mode of accommodation.

Assistive technology devices that enable the individual to receive

rehabilitation services, improve personal status, or make it possible to

work.

Assistive technology services which directly assist the individual in the selection,

acquisition, or training in the use of an assistive technology device.

Vehicular modifications permitting the individual to obtain or maintain a job.

Other rehabilitation technology/engineering services, and training related

thereto, not covered above.

Placement: Activities required to place a specific client directly in a specific job

leading to work performed at or above the substantial gainful activity level.

101

Purchased job placement services

Work-related Materials: Necessary occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial

stocks and supplies which enable the client to enter into a small business or

occupation.

111

Work-related materials

Other Goods and Services: Goods and services that can reasonably be expected to

motivate or assist the individual in returning to or continuing in substantial gainful

activity; and, which do not fit under one of the preceding categories.

121

All other goods and services not reasonably associated with another category

shown above.

RSA Codes

The services provided section of the RSA-911 is composed of 36 categories. Each category

represents a different area of service. The 36 categories are:

Data Element Service

Pre-Employment Transition Services

97 Job Exploration Counseling

103 Work-based Learning Experiences

109 Counseling on Enrollment Opportunities

115 Workplace Readiness Training

121 Instruction in Self-advocacy

Training Services

129 Graduate College or University Training

136 Four-Year College or University Training

143 Junior or Community College Training

150 Occupational or Vocational Training

157 On-the-job Training

164 Registered Apprenticeship Training

170 Basic Academic Remedial or Literacy Training

177 Job Readiness Training

184 Disability Related Skills Training

191 Miscellaneous Training

198 Randolph-Sheppard Entrepreneurial Training

205 Customized Training

Career Services

212 Assessment

219 Diagnosis & Treatment of Impairments

226 Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and Guidance

233 Job Search Assistance

240 Job Placement Assistance

247 Short Term Job Supports

254 Supported Employment Services

261 Information and Referral Services

268 Benefits Counseling

275 Customized Employment Services

SGA Documentation

Effective November 1, 2019, all VRs must submit proof of earnings with their claims that show

the beneficiary earned at least 9 out of 12 months of SGA (or 3 out of 4 quarters). Acceptable

earnings documentation includes, but is not limited to:

• VRCER

• OCSE data

• Work Number

• Pay Stubs, or

• Employer Signed Statement with FICA withholdings

As a courtesy to VRs using an XML file to upload multiple claims, the required faxed copy of

earnings documentation may be waived as long as VRs document the earnings in the “SVR

Remarks” section for each claim. Claims based on VRCER should have “VRCER” in the

remarks, SSA will review our earnings for 3 out of 4 quarters at/above SGA prior to processing

the claim, and if we do not have these earnings, your claim will be denied. Claims based on

quarterly earnings should include all applicable quarters and the associated earnings. SSA will

monitor the effectiveness of this waiver and may discontinue it at any time.

Benefit Status Documentation

One of the requirements for payment is that the VR client be a disabled or blind beneficiary

at the time the VR services are provided. State VR agencies should verify an individual's

benefit status before filing a reimbursement claim with SSA. Evidence of beneficiary status

should be verified though your State Verification and Exchange System

Direct Costs Documentation

Direct costs are incurred between the VR referral and VR closure dates. The VR provider

should include a month-by-month breakdown of such costs on the SSA-199. If this

documentation is missing, and the payment period does not cover all of the months between

VR referral and closure, SSA will send providers a letter requesting a monthly breakdown

of direct costs during the period of VR services. This can occur in the following instances:

• The individual's entitlement or eligibility to benefits began later than the period of

VR services began;

• The individual's entitlement or eligibility to benefits ended before the period of VR

services ended; or

• The individual's continuous period of SGA ended earlier than the period of VR

services ended.

VR Services Documentation

In cases in which the continuous period of SGA started more than one year after the VR

provider closed the claim, the connection between the VR provider's services and the

client's ability to perform SGA must be established. To establish this connection, the

provider should furnish a description of the services provided and an explanation of how

the individual's continuous period of SGA could not have occurred without the VR services

provided, initiated, or coordinated by the VR provider. If such information is not furnished

with the claim, SSA will send a letter to the VR provider requesting this information.

Payment Appeals Process

Requesting a Reconsideration

SSA will notify the VR provider in writing of its decision on a claim and of the amount, if

any, to be paid.

The VR provider may request reconsideration of this decision if it disagrees with the

determination. The VR provider must make a reconsideration request in writing within 60

days after receiving the initial or revised determination notice. The reconsideration request

must:

• be clearly marked as a "Reconsideration Request";

• identify the State VR agency;

• give the reason for disagreeing with the initial decision

• contain a copy of the original claim (if sent through the Portal, this

will automatically be attached)

• if at all possible, contain documentation to support its reconsideration request

Reconsideration Decision

SSA can make two types of decisions as a result of its reconsideration review: a revised

determination or an affirmation determination.

SSA issues a revised determination if:

• the basis for the initial denial changes;

• it reverses the initial denial and changes it to a partially favorable or fully favorable

decision; or

SSA issues an affirmation determination if its review of the initial or revised determination

results in no change. A State VR agency may appeal an affirmation decision to the

Departmental Appeal Board (DAB) within 30 days from the date of the affirmation

decision on certain denials. Denials based on SGA decisions are not appealable to the

DAB.

Cost Containment Policies

As stated in CFR 404.2117, The State VR agency shall submit to us before the end of the

first calendar quarter of each year a written statement certifying that cost-containment

policies are in effect and are adhered to in procuring and providing goods and services for

which the State VR agency requests payment under this subpart. Such certification must be

signed by the State's chief financial official or the head of the VR agency. Each certification

must specify the basis upon which it is made, e.g., a recent audit by an authorized State,

Federal or private auditor (or other independent compliance review) and the date of such

audit (or compliance review). In the case of an alternate participant, these certification

requirements shall be incorporated into the negotiated agreement or contract. We may

request the State VR agency or alternate participant to submit to us a copy(ies) of its

specific written cost-containment policies and procedures (e.g., any guidelines and fee

schedules for a given year) if we determine that such additional information is necessary to

ensure compliance with the requirements of this subpart. The State VR agency or alternate

participant shall provide such information when requested by us. VR agencies will certify

this each fiscal year when they submit their annual cost formula.

There is no fixed price for services provided to beneficiaries. Instead, the costs of

purchased goods and services must be reasonable and necessary and must conform to

written cost-containment policies and the policies governing similar/comparable benefits as

discussed below.

Each provider participating in SSA's VR payment program is required to maintain and use

cost-containment principles when purchasing or procuring goods and services for which it

intends to seek reimbursement from SSA. The requirement that the VR providers maintain

and comply with written cost containment policies is to ensure that the provider's costs are

reasonable and necessary. The guidelines under these written policies must assure that the

VR provider's costs meet the following requirements:

The costs must be incurred only for the VR services.

The costs must be based on payment rates or other payment guidelines contained in the

provider's written cost containment policies.

The costs must be the lowest reasonable cost for the VR services for which the provider

is requesting payment while allowing for sufficient flexibility to meet an individual's

needs.

Similar/Comparable Benefits

SSA will reimburse providers only for those costs that were not paid or payable from some

other source such as insurance or workmen's compensation. If these comparable or similar

benefits are available from other sources, under any other program, they must be used to

meet, in whole or in part, the costs of services. For example, VR providers are expected to

make maximum efforts to secure grant assistance from other sources for training or training

services in institutions of higher education before purchasing such training.

Exceptions

SSA will pay a VR provider for the following services even if similar/comparable benefits

are available:

• Evaluation of rehabilitation potential;

• Counseling, guidance, and referral services;

• Vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational

adjustment training that are not provided in institutions of higher education;

• Job placement; and

• Rehabilitation engineering services.

Direct and Indirect Costs

To be reimbursable, the VR provider must have incurred the direct costs during a month or

months before the end of the 9-month continuous period of SGA. In addition, the provider

must have provided the service or incurred the cost during a month or months in which the

individual was entitled to or eligible for benefits based upon disability or blindness.

The VR provider must include a month-by-month breakdown of direct costs on the SSA-

199.

Direct Costs

Direct costs are costs the State VR agency incurs to purchase a specific item or service for

an individual (for example, a wheelchair, special glasses, a modified van, training costs,

etc.) which are not paid for, or not payable, by some other source such as private health

insurance, workmen's compensation insurance, tuition grants, Medicaid, etc.

Direct costs cannot be claimed for services that are provided by State VR agency

employees. In the VR reimbursement program, these services are defined as ACP costs and

are factored into payments for reimbursement claims based on the RSA-2.

Any service, if purchased, and outside the budget scope of the RSA-2 is an additional

expense incurred by the VR agency and can be claimed as a direct cost. This service must

be purchased and used specifically for the disabled individual for whom a reimbursement

claim is being filed.

Indirect Costs

Administrative, counseling and placement (ACP) costs are indirect service costs the State

VR agency incurs for providing services to SSA clients. SSA will pay the State VR agency

for indirect expenses such as administrative expenses vocational counseling, and job

placement costs, when the State VR agency provides these services directly and does not

purchase them from other sources.

Advance Funding

The Social Security Act and regulations authorize SSA to pay VR providers for the costs of

their services in advance or by reimbursement. SSA has provided advance payment to only

a limited number of State VR agencies.

A State VR agency must have an approved cost formula before its claims can be processed.

Once approved, the new formula amounts are used to compute indirect and tracking costs.

The cost formula is computed based on expenditures in the preceding federal fiscal year.

The cost formula(s) used for a claim is determined by the net payment period. The Cost

Formula Worksheets are used when computing the cost formulas.

Cost Formulas

The cost formula is used to identify the monthly dollar amount per client for which SSA

will reimburse a VRA for every month of the beneficiary's VR payment period. This

formula determines the monthly Tracking costs (prior to FY20) as well as the

Administrative, Counseling, and Placement (ACP) costs, also known as indirect cost. ACP

costs should be based on the cost formula for the federal fiscal year(s) (October 1 -

September 30) in which these costs are incurred. Tracking are costs incurred only to track

or monitor a beneficiary's work activity for up to 9 months. SSA may pay for up to 9

months of tracking if the VR client completes a 9-month continuous period of SGA, if the

services provided contributed to the SGA, and if the tracking occurs within the specified

payment period.

A State VR agency must have an approved cost formula for a federal fiscal year before its

claims for that year can be processed. Once approved, the new formula amounts will be

used to compute ACP and tracking costs. The cost formula is computed based on

expenditures in the preceding federal fiscal year which comes from the VR’s RSA-2 and

RSA-911.

As stated on page 26, in the past, SSA has reimbursed VR agencies for ACP cost in

addition to tracking cost. Since tracking costs are currently already included in the

administrative cost category, we will no longer reimburse for separate tracking costs.

Additionally, we will no longer reimburse for services to groups, as there is no

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) involvement, and services must be outlined

under the IPE. Per RSA, group services are broad community services to populations

and not specific to the achievement of an individual’s IPE goal. This became effective

with the FY20 Cost Formula.

AVERAGE MONTHLY ACP COSTS METHOD WORKSHEET

Administrative, Counseling and Placement (ACP) Worksheet

Step 1

Obtain the amounts for Sections 1A, 1B, 2A from the form RSA-2, Schedule I –

Total Expenditures and enter them on the appropriate lines below.

1A. Direct Administration Costs $ _______________

1B. Indirect Costs $ _______________

2A. Services Provided by Agency $ _______________

(2.A.1.a & b + +2.A.2.a & b)

ADD THE ABOVE LINES TO ARRIVE AT THE

TOTAL ACP COSTS $ _______________

Step 2

Determine the total number of individuals under an IPE served under the VR

program during FY19. Use Data Element 5 (Unique Identifier) to determine the

count of individuals served during the FY. You must also use data element 127

(date of Initial IPE) to ensure onset of services is prior to the end of the FY

and data element 353 (date of exit) to ensure that case closure is not prior to

the beginning of the FY, removing those individuals from the total count whose

data elements fall outside of these criteria

(From RSA-911 You will use Data Element #5,#127,and #353)

_______________

Step 3

$ __________________ ÷ ______________________ = $ _______________

Total ACP Costs Total No. of Individuals Avg Yearly ACP

(Total from Step 1) under a IPE Served in FY19 Cost Per

(Total from Step 2) Individual

Step 4

$ ______________________ ÷ ________12________ = $ _______________

Avg Yearly ACP Cost Months Avg Monthly ACP

Per Individual Cost Per

(Total from Step 3) Individual

Payment Validation Reviews

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) regulations

allow the Commissioner to pay claims based on a minimum of documentation. The Code

of Federal Regulations (CFR), 404.2121 and 416.2221, requires that SSA conduct a

validation review of a sample of reimbursement claims for payment filed by each State

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency for program integrity purposes. SSA will use the

following types of reviews to validate claims submitted by State VR agencies.

The purposes of validation reviews are to ensure that the VR services and costs meet the

requirements for payment; to assess the validity of our documentation requirements; and,

to assess the need for additional validation reviews or additional documentation

requirements. Each claim will be reviewed to verify that there is sufficient documentation

to support the direct costs claimed. The direct cost items submitted must be consistent with

the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

Claims for payment validation review (PVR) will be randomly selected by the system after

they are processed for approval and prior to payment. Post payment validation reviews will

be perform manually by Quality Assurance Team (QAT). All claims with overlapping

periods of VR services will be selected for validation review at the point that the

overlapping periods are detected. Payment for VR services or costs may be made under

more than one of the VR periods. However, payment will not be made more than once for

the same VR service or cost. Claims Unit Technicians will perform required reviews and

control the flow of the entire process.

Program analysts will provide technical guidance on validation review claims as deemed

appropriate by the supervisor of the Claims Unit.

The claims to be reviewed will be ready for release of payment when the validation is

completed. As soon as the VR provider substantiates the full amount of the direct cost

services provided, payment will be released immediately.

NOTE: Post validation reviews may occur immediately or many years after payment. If

documents for direct cost services cannot be produced in overlapping PVR’s, there will be

adjustments made to monies previously paid.

During each fiscal year, a random sample of claims will be selected for PVR from all VR

providers based on a percentage of the total allowed claims processed in the previous fiscal

year. Our fiscal year begins on October 1st and extends twelve months into the following

year ending on September 30th. Due to the great variance in the amount of claims

submitted by VR providers, we cannot apply a pre-determined percentage value to

calculate how many claims will be selected for the PVR process.

When a claim is selected for validation review, notification will be sent to the VR agency.

All validation review claims will be reviewed to validate the direct costs listed in items

17a, 17b and 17c on the Vocational Rehabilitation Claim Form, SSA-199. The technicians

must verify that each direct cost amount is equal to the amount SSA will pay on the claim

and that the purchase of the direct cost occurred within the payment period. The technician

looks for records of VR services and costs for which payment has been requested or made.

The provider must submit adequate documentation to support these direct cost items. The

provider is responsible for maintaining such records per the Federal Procurement

Regulations (41 CFR parts 1 – 20).

NOTE: We have recently become aware that supporting documentation for some

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Cost Reimbursement (CR) claims is being destroyed

prematurely. To ensure the availability of claims documentation for auditing and post-

payment quality control purposes, all CR payment-related documentation should be

retained for a minimum of six years after the close of the federal fiscal year in which

payment was made. This follows the General Records Schedule (GRS) for Federal Records

Management.

PVR Documentation Requirements

For each validation review claim selected, SSA will request proofs to support the request for

costs being claimed such as a copy of the IPE that list service(s) to be purchased; copies of

pertinent progress notes; and a copy of the intake and closure statement, as appropriate.

Proof of payment can include the types of documentation listed below:

• Copies of all direct cost invoices that show: date of service, type of service rendered, cost

of service, proof of payment, name and address of payee, etc.

• Copies of bills, invoices and receipts under the vendor’s letterhead.

• Copies of signed and dated certification that the services were provided.

Note: Computerized electronic listings submitted without the type of documentation listed

above are not acceptable for validation review because the technician will not be able to

adequately validate the claimed expenditures. However, if a provider alleges they have no other

documentation to offer the electronic listings will be reviewed for acceptability as follows:

Claims Unit Supervisor – The Claims Unit Supervisor will assess the documentation that

has been provided and make an independent judgment of the acceptability. This judgment

of the documentation will be based on acceptability precedents that have been set with

other similar documentation submittals by other State VR agencies. If the documentation

is found to be acceptable the supervisor will advise the Claims Unit staff accordingly and

annotate the system with a precedent note. If the supervisor finds the documentation to

be unacceptable because no similar precedent was established, a request for a

determination will be made through the Quality Assurance Team (QAT ).

The QAT will consult with the Claims Unit supervisor to assess the documentation

provided and to determine the steps that have been taken to obtain additional supporting

evidence. The VRT may decide to contact the submitting State VR agency again to

further assess why acceptable proof of payment does not exist for the claim in question.

The response received will determine what additional steps the VRT will take with

respect to that claim and future claims from that State VR agency. In most individual

claim noncompliance, situations the VRT will instruct the Claims Unit that the

undocumented claim item must be denied.

Office of the Inspector General (OIG) - OIG will be asked to provide guidance when the

QAT experiences noncompliance with validation reviews and in situations where

questionable documentation appears frequently. OIG will determine if an on-site audit is

appropriate.

Submitting Documentation to SSA

When a State VR agency claim is selected for validation review, notification will be sent from

the Claims Unit to the State agency requesting they submit all pertinent documentation to the

Claims Unit within 45 days from the date of the notice. State VR agencies should submit their

claims to SSA by fax using the designated fax cover sheet generated through the Ticket Portal.

Please ensure that the fax coversheet from the Portal is the first page of your fax, to ensure we

receive your documents.

When submitting documentation for validation review, the provider must submit

documentation in the exact order and sequence as found on form SSA-199, in items 17a, 17b,

and 17c. Each document must be numbered in the right hand corner to correspond with the

SSA-199. For example, all documentation pertaining to item 17a, in item #1 should be marked

“17a #1” on each document validating that item, and so forth.

Technician’s Action

Technicians will pay the claims after all claimed costs have been validated. Validation

documentation packages will be reviewed upon receipt to determine if payment of the full

claim amount can be paid. Documentation packages that validate the full amount claimed will

have payment released immediately. Documentation packages that do not validate the full

amount claimed, and have no written explanation of why, will have only the validated costs

paid.

Documentation packages that do not validate the full amount claimed, but do have a written

request for partial payment release, will have the validated expenditure amount released. A

supplemental claim will be required if the provider wishes to seek payment at a later date, when

documentation becomes available. Any supplemental claims filed on paid validation review

claims are automatically included as part of the validation review process. Providers that do not

respond timely to requests for validation documentation will cause a payment delay. If no

response is received after a second follow-up request for documentation is made (30 days),

payment will be denied and the provider will be notified accordingly.

NOTE: We have recently become aware that the time period given for receipt of supporting

documentation for some Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Cost Reimbursement (CR) claims is

delaying the payment process. To ensure the timely adjudication of claims, effective January 1,

2020, we will allow a period of 30 days to submit proof of evidence to support requests for

claims requiring additional information (C3 and/or C7 notices: transition work documents,

additional costs, 199, etc.). This time frame does not apply to submission of evidence for

audited claims such as Prepayment Validation Reviews (PVR). PVR claims remain a part of

the audit process and will still follow the 75-day submission time for evidence.

Requests for Reconsiderations

If the State VR agency disagrees with the validation review reimbursement determination,

reconsideration must be filed within 60 days from the date shown on the determination notice.

There will be no reconsideration on post validation reviews where direct cost documents have

not been submitted. Reversals to post validation adjustments will not be authorized without

proof of direct costs payments for different service during the overlapping period.

Overlapping Cost Reimbursement Claims

(f) Payment for VR services or costs may be made under more than one of the VR payment

provisions described in §§ 404.2111 and 404.2112 of this subpart and similar provisions in

§§ 416.2211 and 416.2212 of subpart V of part 416. However, payment will not be made more than

once for the same VR service or cost; and

(g) Payment will be made for administrative costs and for counseling and placement costs.

If the State VR agency elects the Cost Reimbursement option and the beneficiary has a Ticket, the

Ticket is assigned “In-Use SVR” in SSA’s system. In-Use SVR begins on the effective date of the

IPE, or the first day the Ticket is assignable after the beneficiary signs the IPE.

In following the CFRs for CR and the Ticket regulations are as follows:

In a case where both VR’s have an overlapping period where the client is “not in the Ticket

program,” both VR’s will be paid under section 404.2111 following the process of

checking the VR enter date and allowing the VR with the earliest enter date payment first.

VR who had the earlier enter date will not be under the scrutiny of having their direct costs

being deemed unpayable for overlapping. The current VR will not have any overlapping

costs paid. Cost will be paid only if, any of the costs under review are not overlapping and

funds are allowable based on the maximum VR payment amount under DC and any

allowable ACP costs.

In a case where one VR has assigned the Ticket and the other has not, the unassigned VR

will have to attempt through SSA to get that Ticket assigned to the current VR and the

claim will be decided based on the 04/2012 changes made in regards to Ticket assignment

based on SSA’s discretion.

In a case where one VR was assigned and then the case was handed to the most current VR

and that VR is able to assign the Ticket, the review process will follow the first instance

where both VR’s can be paid. However, the VR who had the Ticket first will be paid first

and they will not be under the scrutiny of having their direct costs being deemed unpayable

for overlapping. The second VR will not have any overlapping costs (DC) paid.

In a case where a post adjudicative action is necessary and we find that the VR did not have

the Ticket assigned, but they were paid and the new VR has the Ticket assigned, the

assigned VR will be paid and the unassigned VR will have to go through review by SSA

unless it was prior to 04/2012. If it was before 04/2012 and the Ticket was not assigned

then the first VR will still keep payment based on the action taken at that time and will not

have the DC be subject to denial due to overlapping costs.

NOTE: If there is any claim where the Ticket should have been assigned and was not and the claim was

paid prior to the detection of the overlapping period, by law, funds will be recouped.

Ticket to Work

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999 changed the rules of the

Ticket program. On December 17, 1999, President Clinton signed the Ticket to Work and

Work Incentives Improvement ACT (TWWIIA) of 1999. This legislation affects State

vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies providing services under the current VR

Reimbursement Program.

SSA phased-in the Ticket Program nationally over a three-year period beginning January 1,

2001, with the first Tickets issued early in 2001. Under this program, Social Security

Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability and

blindness beneficiaries have a “Ticket” they may use to obtain VR, employment, or other

support services from an approved provider of their choice called an “Employment

Network.” By January 1, 2004, the “Ticket” program was operating in all States.

The law also repealed the VR refusal provisions effective January 1, 2001.

Other provisions of the law concern the expanded availability of health care services,

expedited reinstatement of benefits, continuing disability reviews, protection and advocacy,

and demonstration projects.

This section will focus on how the Ticket Program will affect State VR agencies.

How the Ticket Program Works

SSDI and SSI disability and blindness beneficiaries have Tickets that they can use with an

approved provider called an employment network (EN). An EN is a private organization or

non-Federal public agency that has agreed to work with SSA to provide vocational

rehabilitation, employment support, and other support services to beneficiaries with

disabilities. These SSA pays the EN when the beneficiary achieves specified work=related

outcomes.

The law requires that SSA select one or more Program Managers.

The Ticket Program Manager (TPM) provides training, technical assistance and support to

Employment Networks (ENs) and State VR agencies participating in the Ticket Program.

This support covers such operational program processes as Ticket assignment and In-Use

SVR assignments, individual work plans and EN payments. In addition, the TPM is

responsible for program oversight in matters relating to EN start-up, program participation

and performance. State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies have the option of operating

as an employment network (EN).

If a State decides not to operate as an EN, the State will continue to function under the

existing cost reimbursement program option only. If a State VR agency agrees to serve as

an EN, it can decide on a case-by-case basis if it would prefer to receive cost

reimbursement for reasonable and necessary services they provide to the beneficiary, or to

receive Ticket payments under its chosen EN payment system, either the Outcome Payment

System or the Milestone/Outcome Payment System.

Who is eligible for a Ticket?

A beneficiary who is entitled to benefits under the SSDI or SSI disability or blindness

program must meet several criteria to be eligible for a Ticket. The beneficiary must be:

• At least age 18 but not yet age 65;

• Entitled based on SSA’s disability standard for adults; and

• Receiving a Federal cash disability-based benefit from SSA.

Ticket Program Participation

State VR Agency Participation

A State VR agency may participate either as an Employment Network (EN) or through the

Cost Reimbursement payment system. To learn whether a Ticket is available for

assignment or In-Use SVR status, please contact TPM at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-

2967 (TDD) or www.yourTickettowork.com.

We can pay a State VR agency under the Cost Reimbursement payment system even if the

beneficiary does not have a Ticket. If the beneficiary has a Ticket, the State VR agency

must inform the beneficiary that the Ticket will be in-use with the agency while the VR

case is open. The beneficiary must consent to using the Ticket with the State VR agency for

the agency to use the Ticket. The IPE must document the beneficiary’s informed consent.

When an agency submits a case opening via the Ticket Portal, it is acknowledging that it

has met this criterion.

When requirements for payment are met, SSA will pay both a State VR agency and an EN

for sequential services to a beneficiary under the same Ticket

Effective June 2016, the following changes went into effect. When:

• The case was closed successfully, VR agencies can receive a CR payment based on

months of SGA that fall after the EN Ticket assignment date.

• The case was closed unsuccessfully and CP of SGA is found after the EN Ticket

assignment date, VR agencies will be requested to provide proof explaining how their

services led to the CP of SGA.

• There are multiple periods of VR services and/or EN services (multiple Ticket assignments) the

closure status used to determine payment will coincide with the VR period requested.

VREN Policy

SSA will only pay a State VR agency under one payment system per beneficiary. The State VR

agency cannot assign the Ticket when they previously served the beneficiary under cost

reimbursement and were paid under cost reimbursement. If the State VR agency closes a cost

reimbursement case for which they were not paid and subsequently opens a Ticket program case

on the same person, the Ticket case must be based on a new IPE date, which cannot be

retroactive to cover the previous period of VR.

Policy Exceptions: A State VR agency may open a Ticket assignment case on a beneficiary

previously served under cost reimbursement if:

• No cost reimbursement payment was made on behalf of the beneficiary since January 1,

2002; or

• Cost reimbursement was made since January 1, 2002, but not under the current Ticket

(i.e., the beneficiary was issued a second Ticket based on a new period of disability).

NOTE: SSA will not collect overpayments for any Ticket assignments that followed our current

policy. VRs may continue to receive EN payments for any current Ticket assignments,

following all applicable EN payment rules. We are still analyzing all previous VREN Ticket

assignments to identify erroneous Ticket assignments, which may be subject to overpayment

collection.

Discontinued Participation As An Employment Network

From the inception of the Ticket to Work program, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

agencies have had the option to participate (on a case-by-case basis) under traditional cost

reimbursement or as an Employment Network (EN) receiving payments under an EN payment

system. In order to participate in the Ticket program, the Social Security Administration requires

that the director of a State VR agency write a letter expressing their intent to participate as an EN

or solely under traditional cost reimbursement (20 CFR 411.365). If the letter expresses intent

to operate as an EN, the agency may still choose EN payments or cost reimbursement for each

beneficiary with which they initiate services.

Should a State VR agency subsequently determine that they no longer wish to participate as an

EN, but instead will serve all beneficiaries under traditional cost reimbursement; the State VR

Director should notify SSA in writing via another letter. The letter should contain the following

statement of intent:

“Effective the date of this letter, [Name of Agency] requests to be removed from SSA’s list of

ENs. We choose instead to provide services to all Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities

under the cost reimbursement option.”

The impact of a state VR agency’s decision to discontinue operating under an EN payment

system is that Tickets currently assigned to the agency as an EN and on which no EN payment

has been made would be unassigned and reclassified as “In Use-SVR”. In accordance with 20

CFR Part 411.355(d), if payment has been made with respect to the Ticket, the State VR agency

can receive payment only under the payment system under which the earlier payment was made.

Beneficiary Participation

A beneficiary's participation in the Ticket to Work program is voluntary.

The beneficiary is free to choose when and whether to use the Ticket to obtain the assistance

needed to return to work or go to work for the first time. A beneficiary’s non-use of a Ticket

will not affect entitlement to disability-based benefits. When a beneficiary decides to use the

Ticket, the beneficiary may assign it to a State VR agency or an Employment Network (EN)

under our rules for assigning a Ticket.

A beneficiary is afforded protection from periodic medical reviews while receiving VR services

as long as he or she continues to make the expected progress with education, training or work.

At any time, a beneficiary can retrieve the Ticket from a State VR agency or EN and reassign it

to another State VR agency or EN that is willing to take the Ticket assignment, provided the

beneficiary is eligible to reassign the Ticket. To reassign the Ticket when the State VR agency is

serving the beneficiary, the beneficiary must have the State VR agency close the case directly or

the beneficiary may provide SSA a case closure letter from the State VR agency.

Selecting a Provider Using the Ticket Program Manager

A beneficiary may not assign a Ticket to more than one provider of services at a time. However,

a beneficiary may discuss employment plans and goals with a State VR agency and as many ENs

as the beneficiary chooses. The beneficiary may assign the Ticket to an Employment Network to

receive ongoing support in obtaining employment or increasing or sustaining employment after

the State VR agency has closed the beneficiary’s case. The beneficiary can obtain a list of the

State VR agency and approved ENs for a particular geographic area by:

• Calling the Ticket Program Manager at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TDD), or

• Accessing the website at www.yourTickettowork.com.

Developing a Plan for Self-Supporting Employment

A State VR agency or EN will provide employment services, VR services, or other support

services to assist a Ticket beneficiary in obtaining, regaining, and maintaining self-supporting

employment as specified in the beneficiary’s:

• Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), if developed with a State VR agency; or

• Individual Work Plan (IWP), if developed with an EN.

A beneficiary who is eligible to assign/reassign a Ticket can do so only if that beneficiary and a

representative of the State VR agency or EN have developed and signed an IPE/IWP.

Payment Options Available to State VR Agencies and ENs

A State VR agency or EN may receive payment for its services when a beneficiary, who

assigned a Ticket to the State VR agency or EN, achieves certain work-related outcomes.

Payment Options Available to an EN

(Including a State VR Agency Functioning as an EN)

Under the Ticket to Work program, ENs and State VR agencies may choose between two Ticket

payment systems. They are the Outcome payment system and the Outcome-Milestone payment

system. For a detailed description of the payments available under these two payment systems,

please go to www.yourTickettowork.com.

Once an EN makes a payment system election, it will apply to all of the EN’s Ticket

assignments. An EN may change its elected payment system once in each calendar year. When

it does this, the newly elected payment system will apply to the EN’s new Ticket assignments

only. The EN’s prior payment system election will continue to apply to the cases of beneficiaries

whose Tickets were assigned to the EN before the effective date of its newly elected EN

payment system.

SSA will only pay a State VR agency under one payment system per beneficiary. The State VR

agency cannot assign the Ticket for EN payments when they previously served the beneficiary

under cost reimbursement and were paid under cost reimbursement. If the State VR agency

closes a cost reimbursement case for which they were not paid and subsequently opens a Ticket

payment case on the same person, the Ticket case must be based on a new IPE date, which

cannot be retroactive to cover the previous period of VR.

Payment Options Available to a State VR Agency

If the State VR agency opts to be paid as an EN, SSA will use the EN payment system that the

State VR agency has elected for this purpose. There are two EN payment systems from which

the State VR agency can choose. These are:

• The Outcome payment system, under which it may be paid for outcome payment

months that a beneficiary achieves after assigning the Ticket to the State VR agency;

and

• The Outcome-Milestone payment system, under which it may be paid for Milestones

and Outcome payment months that a beneficiary achieves after assigning the Ticket

to the State VR agency.

For a detailed description of the payments available under these two payment systems, please go

to www.yourTickettowork.com.

The State VR agency must have an open VR case for SSA to pay the agency under a Ticket

payment system. The agency also must continue providing ongoing support to receive payments

beyond phase I milestones under the Ticket program. If the State VR agency does not plan to

provide ongoing support and has chosen to serve a beneficiary under a Ticket payment system,

SSA will close the Ticket assignment after processing phase 1 milestone payments on a case.

The Ticket to Work program also provides State VR agencies with an option to elect the

traditional Cost Reimbursement payment system, on a case-by- case basis, when determining

how to provide beneficiary services. When an agency selects this option, the beneficiary’s Ticket

is not assigned but is placed in “In-Use-SVR” status.

Under the Cost Reimbursement payment system, we will pay the State VR agency for the

reasonable and necessary costs incurred in providing VR services to a Ticket beneficiary when

those services contribute to the beneficiary’s sustained employment at the Substantial Gainful

Activity (SGA) level.

Overview of In-Use SVR and Ticket Assignment

In-Use SVR Status

If the State VR agency elects the Cost Reimbursement option and the beneficiary has a Ticket,

the Ticket is assigned “In-Use SVR” in SSA’s system. In-Use SVR begins on the effective date

of the IPE.

This status will afford the beneficiary protection from a medical review (Continuing Disability

Review), as long as the beneficiary is making the expected timely progress towards education,

training or work.

The period of “In-Use SVR” and CDR protection will end with the close of the 90-day extension

period following the date the State VR agency closes the beneficiary’s VR case, unless the

beneficiary assigns the Ticket to an Employment Network during this 90-day period.

If the beneficiary has failed to make timely progress and no longer has the CDR protection when

the case is unassigned, the beneficiary will not have a 90-day extension period during which he

may assign the Ticket. However, if still in current pay and otherwise eligible, the beneficiary

may reassign the Ticket, but the beneficiary will not be afford CDR protection until he or she is

again making timely progress.

Eligibility and Assignability

This criterion is provided for informational purposes only. Always confirm whether a beneficiary

is eligible to assign a Ticket or place it in the In-Use SVR status. If the Ticket is currently

assigned and you have a need to know the name of the EN to which it is assigned, you may

obtain this information via the Ticket Portal or if you do not have access to the Portal, the Ticket

Program Manager will provide that information upon request.

A beneficiary is eligible for In-Use SVR if all of the following requirements are met. The

beneficiary must:

• Be entitled to disability-based benefits under the SSDI or SSI program;

• Not yet have attained age 65;

• Be receiving a monthly Federal cash disability-based benefit from SSA;

• Not be receiving section 301 payments;

• Not be receiving benefit continuation payments during a medical cessation appeal;

• Not be receiving provisional cash benefits under the expedited reinstatement

provisions; and

• Not be receiving presumptive disability/blindness payments.

Proof of a Beneficiary’s Decision to Assign a Ticket

The State VR agency no longer needs to submit an SSA-1365 for any cases. The beneficiary’s

signature on the IPE is proof of the beneficiary agreeing to use the Ticket. State VR agency’s

should ensure beneficiaries are aware that they are providing consent to use their Tickets when

they sign the IPE.

The Ticket Portal will show beneficiaries currently or formerly assigned to a State VR agency

based on the agency submitting a batch data file or requesting an individual assignment through

the Portal.

Process for a State VR to place a Ticket “In-Use SVR”

Electronic Data File Requirements

To designate the Ticket as “In-Use SVR” or “Assigned” and manage the status through case

closure, the data file should be submitted through the Portal and contain the data elements

identified below in comma delimited format. This type file is common on all computer

platforms and supported by almost all spreadsheets and data management systems. For

assistance concerning the file, contact us at [email protected]. The file must contain the

following four critical data elements for each Ticket Holder served. The four elements are:

• Social Security Number

• IPE signature date

• Case closure date (or blank if still open)

• Case closure status (employed or unemployed or blank if case still open)

The Importance of Submitting the Data File

It is imperative to the proper operation of the Ticket to Work Program and the VR Cost

Reimbursement Program that the State VR agency notifies us via the Ticket Portal of VR case

openings and closures involving SSA beneficiaries.

When we receive the data file, it will be cross-referenced against eligible Ticket Holders. The

Ticket Holders’ statuses will be updated with any VR case open or case closure dates. This

information will allow SSA to:

• Protect the rights of your Ticket Holders to exempt status from medical Continuing

Disability Reviews;

• Facilitate Ticket Holders in obtaining ongoing services;

• Prevent Ticket Holders from being marketed by EN’s while their cases are open with

State VR agencies; and

• Ensure that the beneficiary does not simultaneously assign the Ticket to an EN while it is

in In-Use SVR status with the State VR agency.

When may I assign my Ticket and how?

(a) You may assign your Ticket during a month in which you meet the requirements of age 18

or older and have not attained age 65 and are entitled to and in current pay for title II disability or

blind or you are entitled to and in current pay for title XVI federal cash benefits. You may assign

your Ticket during the 90-day period after your case is closed by a State VR agency that elected

the VR cost reimbursement option. You may assign your Ticket to any EN which is serving

under the program and is willing to provide you with services, or you may assign your Ticket to a

State VR agency acting as an EN if you are eligible to receive VR services under 34 CFR 361.42.

You may not assign your Ticket to more than one provider of services (i.e., an EN or a State VR

agency) at a time. You may not assign your Ticket until after the State VR agency has closed

your case if you are receiving VR services pursuant to an individualized plan for employment

from a State VR agency which has elected the VR cost reimbursement option.

NOTE: *You also may not assign your Ticket to a State VR agency if that VR agency

previously served you and elected the VR cost reimbursement option and closed your case.

Terminating In-Use SVR Status or Unassigning a Ticket

“In-Use SVR" status will be discontinued and the Ticket made available when the beneficiary or

the State VR agency notifies us that the State VR agency has closed the case. SSA does not

require a reason for the case closure.

In lieu of the electronic file notification from the State VR agency, to end In-Use SVR status, the

beneficiary may submit a written request to the Ticker Program Manager, which indicates the

date that the State VR agency closed the case and whether the beneficiary was working when the

case was closed. SSA will accept this notification via email, fax or regular mail.

When requesting that we terminate In-Use SVR status or Ticket unassignment outside of the

electronic file transfer process, use the following numbers/address.

Phone Number: 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TDD)

Fax Number: 703-683-328

Mailing Address: Ticket to Work Program Manager

ATTN: Ticket Unassignment

PO Box 25105

Alexandria, VA 22313

In either event (beneficiary request OR State VR case closure), when terminating In-Use SVR,

the record update will include the following actions:

• Changing the “Assigned” or “In-Use-SVR” activity to “In-Use-Extended” (without the

SVR indicator) to initiate the 90-day extension or grace period for possible Ticket

assignment (medical CDR protection is afforded), unless the beneficiary did not have

medical CDR protection when we terminate the “Assigned” or “In-Use-SVR” status.

• If there is a 90-day extension period and the Ticket is not assigned on the 91

day, then

the medical CDR protection is removed and the record is available for regular Ticket

“assignable” activity.

Effective Date of a Ticket Assignment or Reassignment

The Ticket assignment is effective when all of the requirements for assignment are met. An

agency can see the effective date of the Ticket assignment or In-Use SVR status in the response

file and shown in real time in the Ticket Portal based on the electronic data file or individual

submission in the Portal.

SSA will provide beneficiaries a confirmation notice for all Ticket assignments or the beginning

of In-Use SVR. The confirmation notice:

• Gives the name, address and telephone number of the provider to which the beneficiary’s

Ticket is assigned or placed in In-Use SVR status and the effective date;

• Explains how the beneficiary can receive more information about how the Ticket to

Work program affects benefits; and

• Instructs the beneficiary to contact the Ticket Call Center with any questions about the

letter or the Ticket to Work program (e.g., questions about the requirements to

unassign/reassign the Ticket).

The Ticket can be reassigned to an EN or another eligible State VR agency once the Ticket has

been unassigned.

A Ticket is no longer assigned or in the In-Use SVR status effective with the earlier of the first

day of the month following the month in which the:

• Beneficiary notifies the Ticket Program Manager in writing to take the Ticket out of

assignment or for the In-Use SVR status, provides a copy of the case closure letter from

the State VR agency; or the

• State VR agency closed the case though the Portal or the Ticket Program Manager.

To assign or reassign a Ticket, the beneficiary can request an EN list, which includes State VR

agencies, or the beneficiary can locate new service providers on the website,

www.yourTickettowork.com. The beneficiary can then select a new EN or SVR agency and

develop a new work plan. The beneficiary can participate in the future as long as he or she is

eligible.

If the Ticket is reassigned/assigned or placed into “In-Use SVR” within the same month that the

Ticket was unassigned or “In-Use SVR” ended, the Ticket reassignment/assignment will be

effective on the first day of the following month.

If the Ticket is reassigned after the month that the Ticket was unassigned or “In-Use SVR”

ended, Ticket reassignment will be effective on the date that the IWP or IPE was signed.

Changing the Cost Reimbursement Payment Option to Ticket Assignment

For each Ticket eligible beneficiary, a State VR agency may elect payment under the cost

reimbursement payment option or its chosen EN payment system for providing services. A

State VR agency selects the cost reimbursement option by submitting the IPE date via the

electronic data file in the Ticket Portal.

Within the 90-day period from the IPE signature date, the VR agency can change its payment

option for the particular Ticket holder and choose to be paid as an EN.

Requests received more than 90 days after the IPE date will not result in a change. The

Ticket holder’s case will remain under the cost reimbursement option.

Post-Employment Services and In-Use SVR

SSA will reimburse for qualified post-employment services provided by the State VR agency

and submitted for reimbursement after approval of the original claim as long as the:

• Ticket was in In-Use SVR status for the period of the original claim; and

• Post-employment services are provided within the established payment period.

Note: The payment period is the period that ends with the earlier of either (1) the last day of

the last month of entitlement (month before benefit termination) or (2) the last day of the

month the VR continuous period of SGA ends.

When Ticket Use Begins and Ends

When Using a Ticket Begins

The period of using a Ticket begins on the effective date of the assignment of the Ticket to an

EN or State VR agency acting as an EN. If the beneficiary has a Ticket that would otherwise be

available for assignment and is receiving VR services under the Cost Reimbursement option, the

period of using a Ticket begins on the effective date of the beneficiary’s IPE. If the beneficiary

signed an IPE before becoming eligible for a Ticket, the effective date is the first day he or she

was eligible to participate in the Ticket program.

When Using a Ticket Ends

Using a Ticket does not refer to a beneficiary assigning the Ticket or placing it in the In-Use

SVR status only. It means the beneficiary continues to actively pursue the agreed upon work

goals and is making the expected progress with education, training or work to continue to have

suspension of medical Continuing Disability Reviews.

The period of using a Ticket begins:

• On the effective date of the or Ticket assignment to an EN or State VR agency acting as

an EN; or

• For In-Use SVR status:

On the later of the effective date of the beneficiary’s IPE; or

If the beneficiary signed an IPE before becoming eligible for a Ticket, the first day he

or she was eligible to participate in the Ticket program.

The period of using a Ticket ends:

• With the earliest of either the last day of the month before the month in which the Ticket

terminates; or

• The day before the effective date of a decision that the beneficiary is no longer making

timely progress toward self-supporting employment (failed Timely Progress Review); or

• The last day of the 90-day extension period which begins with the first day of the first

month in which the Ticket is no longer assigned to an EN or State VR agency acting as

an EN, unless the beneficiary reassigns the Ticket within the 90-day extension period; or

• If the Ticket was in the In-Use SVR status, the period of ”in-use” for medical CDR

protection ends the 90

day following the date the State VR agency closes the case,

unless the beneficiary assigns the Ticket during this 90-day period.

The Effect of Ticket Terminations

When a Beneficiary’s Ticket Terminates

Generally, a beneficiary’s Ticket terminates with the earliest of the month:

• an individual’s entitlement to disability-based benefits ends for reasons other than work or

earnings; or

• an individual who is entitled to widow(er)’s or surviving spouses benefits under the SSDI

program attains full retirement age; or

• following the month an individual who is entitled to a disability-based benefit under the SSI

program attains age 65.

Different rules apply if a beneficiary’s entitlement to disability-based benefits ends for work or

earnings. Under these rules, a Ticket terminates with the earliest of the month:

• The individual attains full retirement age (beginning in 2003 SSA’s full retirement age will

increase gradually from age 65 to age 67); or

• The individual dies; or

• The individual becomes entitled to a non-disability-based benefit from SSA; or

• SSA makes a subsequent unfavorable disability determination (i.e., the month SSA denies a

subsequent application for disability benefits, or the month SSA decides not to approve a

request to reinstate disability-based benefits); or

• The individual again becomes entitled to a disability-based benefit based on a new

application; or

• The individual is eligible to receive a new Ticket because SSA approves the individual’s

request to reinstate disability-based benefits and finds the individual eligible for a new

Ticket; or

• SSA pays the final Outcome payment due on the Ticket and the Outcome period ends.

Eligibility for a New Ticket

There are two instances in which SSA will issue a new Ticket to an eligible beneficiary:

• SSA reinstates the individual’s benefits under SSA’s expedited reinstatement

provisions.

These provisions allow an individual whose entitlement to disability-based benefits

ended because of work and earnings to request that benefits be started again without

having to complete a new application. To qualify for these benefits, the individual

must be unable to work because of an impairment(s) that is the same or related to the

one(s) that allowed the individual to get benefits before. Also, the individual must

request reinstatement within 5 years from the month the individual’s entitlement

ended because of work or earnings.

• The beneficiary files a new application for disability-based benefits and SSA

approves it.

When a Beneficiary Seeks VR Services While the Ticket Is Assigned to an EN

As of July 21, 2008, a beneficiary may receive sequential services from both a State VR agency

and an Employment Network (EN), and these agencies may seek cost reimbursement and

available EN payments based on the provision of sequential services. To avoid Federal resources

paying for the same service twice, the only provision for simultaneous services is when the EN

refers a beneficiary whose Ticket assignment the EN holds to a State VR agency under an

agreement as described in 20 CFR 411.400 - 411.435 of the Ticket program regulations. When

the EN makes such a referral, the agreement should outline the terms and procedures under

which the EN will compensate the State VR agency for providing services.

Not all work attempts follow this path. Some beneficiaries may independently seek services

from a State VR agency while the Ticket is assigned to an EN. In these instances, if the State

VR agency expects to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment with the beneficiary, it

should first contact the EN. (Note: If unable to obtain the EN’s contact information from the

beneficiary, the State VR agency may contact the Ticket Program Manager for that information.)

The State VR agency should request that the two agencies develop an agreement if such an

agreement does not already exist. As an alternative, the State VR agency may also discuss the

possibility of the EN unassigning the Ticket to allow the State VR agency to provide services

under cost reimbursement and later referring the beneficiary back to the EN for services after VR

closes the beneficiary’s case.

If the EN is not amenable to either option, the State VR agency should rely on Department of

Education rules and regulations, applicable sections may include “comparable services and

benefits (CSBs)” (Federal Register, January 17, 2001, 34 Part 361.5(b)). (34 CFR Part 361.53).

Suspension of Medical Reviews for Beneficiaries Who Are Using a Ticket

SSA will not begin a Medical Continuing Disability Review (medical CDR) during the period in

which the beneficiary is using a Ticket or is in In-Use SVR status. A medical CDR is a review

that SSA conducts periodically to determine whether or not a beneficiary’s condition continues

to meet SSA’s definition of disability.

Medical CDRs are not the same as the work reviews that SSA conducts when a beneficiary goes

to work after benefits start and SSA must decide if the work or earnings are sufficient to cause a

reduction or suspension in benefits while the beneficiary tests his/her ability to work.

If a medical CDR begins before the date on which the Ticket is in use, the beneficiary may still

receive services from a State VR agency pending the outcome of the review, and if found to have

medically improved, may seek benefit continuation under Section 301.

Annual Periodic Reports from the Ticket Program Manager (TPM)

In December of each year, TPM will produce a preliminary report for each provider from data in

its system. The report will compile data from December 1 of the previous year through

November 30

of the current year. Information on the report will include statistics on Tickets

accepted for assignment, Tickets unassigned, EN payments requested and issued, and dispute

filings. When a State VR agency receives its report, it should review it and notify TPM if there

are any discrepancies.

For further information on the annual periodic reports, please contact TPM at 1-866-968- 7842

or 1-866-833-2967 (TDD), or www.yourTickettowork.com.

The Redbook – A Guide to Work Incentives

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of

Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for

educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with

disabilities.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/PandA.html

Dictionary of Occupational Titles