Searching for a job is hard enough without having to worry about scammers. But unfortunately, fake job postings are out there – and they can look very real. The good news? With a few simple tips, you can learn how to spot the red flags before it’s too late.

Here are 6 common signs of a job scam and what you can do to protect yourself.

1. Do Some Research

Scammers often create fake job listings that appear legitimate. Always check the official employer website to see if the job is listed there. If it’s not, it might be a scam. You can also look up the employer on Google and LinkedIn to make sure it’s real and has actual employees. If you’re unsure, contact the employer directly to double-check.

2. Never Pay for a Job

Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for job applications, training, or equipment. If someone wants you to send money, it’s a scam.

Scheduling can also help with prioritizing equally important tasks. For example, if you need to work with a coworker on a specific project, but the only time you’re both available is next week, you can move the project lower down on your list and prioritize the tasks you can complete on your own this week.

3. Beware of Too-Good-to-be-True Offers

If a job offer seems too good to be true (enormous salary or fantastic perks with minimal effort required), it probably is. Be cautious of unrealistic promises. This is a common tactic used by scammers to lure people in.

4. Check for Professional Communication

Legitimate employers use professional email addresses and communication methods. Be wary of job offers from personal email accounts or poorly written messages. Larger employers will have their own domain. Carefully examine an email address to see if it is real or fake.

5. Protect Your Personal Information

Never provide sensitive personal information (your Social Security number or bank details) early in the hiring process. Legitimate employers usually wait to ask for this information until later in the hiring process – typically on the first day of work.

6. Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, trust your instincts. Don’t rush into anything. Take your time to verify the job before giving out any information or making any commitments.

Final Thoughts: How Ticket to Work Service Providers Can Help

Job scams are frustrating, but you can protect yourself by staying alert and asking the right questions. Ticket to Work service providers can offer trusted guidance throughout your job search. They can teach you what to watch for – like fake job listings, requests for payment, or suspicious emails – so you know how to spot warning signs early.

Our service providers have experience working with employers and understand common scams, so they can help you verify job offers and connect you with legitimate opportunities. Plus, they’re a safe resource to turn to if you’re unsure about a job or recruiter.

Connecting with a Ticket to Work service provider means you’re not alone in your search – you get expert help to find legitimate jobs, avoid scams, and build a career with confidence.

Start building your employment team today! Visit our Find Help Tool or call the Ticket to Work Help Line today! Call the Help Line: 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can also email us at TicketToWork@ssa.gov or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

Have you ever looked at a posting for a job announcement and noticed the following phrases: "self-starter," "fast-paced environment," "ability to meet deadlines," or "ability to work independently”? What these and similar phrases mean is you will need to be good at managing your time. In this blog, we’re going to look at the importance of time management and how you can have a more efficient workday.

What is Time Management?

Time management is a set of smaller skills that help make you an efficient employee. Because there are limited hours in a workday, it's important to understand how to make the most of each hour and how to create systems that work for you.

1. Prioritizing

It’s possible that you may not have enough time to complete all of your assigned tasks. Knowing how to look at a list of tasks and rank their importance based on value to your employer, approaching deadlines, or complexity is something employers look for in their employees. Being able to set realistic work goals for your day and achieving them not only brings personal satisfaction but also shows your employer your professionalism.

2. Scheduling

Once you've ranked the tasks on your list, the next step in good time management is scheduling. Keeping a schedule and using tools like a planner or email reminders can help you stick to your plans, build daily routines, and manage your priorities. If you know you have a meeting at 9 a.m. and get a reminder at 8:30 a.m. to attend, you're less likely to be late and disrupt the flow of the meeting.

Scheduling can also help with prioritizing equally important tasks. For example, if you need to work with a coworker on a specific project, but the only time you’re both available is next week, you can move the project lower down on your list and prioritize the tasks you can complete on your own this week.

3. Workload Management

Finally, time management means discussing and setting reasonable expectations. Staying organized through to-do lists, using scheduling systems, and prioritizing your required tasks can make large workloads more manageable. However, working at your top speed all day, every day is not sustainable. You may want to break larger projects into smaller milestones with realistic deadlines leading to the larger, final deadline. Taking breaks throughout the week lets you recharge and refocus on new tasks. Have open conversations with your supervisor about his or her expectations for you and about tasks or projects that you may need help with. Knowing when to ask for help is not a sign that you're unable to do the work; it's a recognition that you understand the assignment and what is involved in accomplishing it. That recognition is an important skill employers look for in their future leaders.

Tips to Improve Time Management

Though soft skills (or people skills) like time management aren't as easily taught as technical skills, there are ways to practice and improve your abilities. Here are some tools that may help support your time management.

Create a routine. Routines give us stability and eliminate the time wasted trying to answer the question, "What comes next?" By establishing and sticking to a routine, you're less likely to forget the tasks you need to complete every day.

Plan your day. As part of your daily routine, set aside time to plan your day. Once you've prioritized your to-do list, create a schedule and plan for how and when you'll start and complete each task.

Track your timeframes and adjust them as needed. Occasionally time yourself on certain projects, but don't try to race the clock. Go through tasks at your normal, comfortable pace. Be honest about how long certain tasks take. If you only allow 15 minutes for a reporting task on your schedule, but the report normally takes you closer to 30 minutes to complete, you're not setting a realistic goal for yourself. And your frustration may make you even less productive on other tasks later in the day. Make adjustments as needed to your scheduling, confirm deadlines, and discuss it with your supervisor if you find you need additional time on certain tasks. Your supervisor may be able to help streamline some processes or adjust your workload.

Use time management tools. Most email programs also have task tracking and calendar features. Many employers provide their employees with collaborative software that helps them track big and small projects. Or find a pen and paper planner system that works for you. For some, a combination of all these tools works well to stay on top of everything you need to do. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. You may have to go through some trial and error to find the system that works for you.

How Can Ticket to Work Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.

Ticket Program service providers can help you learn more about soft skills, how to develop and polish your skills and even think about the accommodations that may help you improve them. A Ticket Program service provider, like an Employment Network, can also help you navigate situations that arise in the workplace to find solutions or ask for accommodations.

Remember — no one is born with good time management skills, but with practice and the right tools, you can master this important skill.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can also email us at TicketToWork@ssa.gov or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

If you're interested in receiving text messages from the Ticket Program, please text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292. Standard messaging rates may apply. We'll send updates from our blog, identify steps on the path to employment and more. We hope you'll find this new way to stay in touch helpful. You can opt out at any time.

When you hear the word “self-employment,” what comes to mind? Owning a brick-and-mortar store? Working in your own space—maybe a studio in your own home? Spending time doing something you love? Being your own boss? All of these may be associated with self-employment. Does the prospect of being responsible for how you earn your living appeal to you? Today we’ll talk about the many ways you can work for yourself, what makes for successful self-employment, and resources that can help you make self-employment a reality.

What are examples of self-employment?

Self-employment comes in many forms. For example, you could:

• Own a business. This could be owning a brick-and-mortar store, working out of your own home or selling products online.
• Be an independent consultant. Instead of providing services to just one business client, you can provide your services to many. Independent consultants usually have contracts with clients to provide specialized expertise.
• Work as a freelancer. A freelancer often provides a specific type of product or service such as web development, photography, data entry, translation, programming, etc. Often, assignments are short term or temporary with multiple clients.

What are some benefits of self-employment?

Some obvious advantages of working for yourself include increased control and flexibility as well as personal satisfaction.

• Control. You choose your clients, work colleagues, work environment, accommodations, and what type of work you do. You can also choose how much to charge for your work based on your experience and mastery of your skill.
• Flexibility. You make your own work schedule and set your business hours based on client needs. This flexibility allows you to manage transportation needs and schedule around important events, personal activities, holidays, etc.
• Satisfaction. When you like what you do, and you get paid for it, you satisfy your passion for the work and gain financial rewards.

What defines successful self-employment?

Another word for self-employment could be “entrepreneurship.” To consider whether self-employment is for you, let’s look at the most common characteristics among successful entrepreneurs. A few that rate most highly are attributes like motivation, creativity, discipline, resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to accept some risk. An entrepreneur needs a vision of their business’ purpose and a practical plan to achieve its goal.

What's next?

If you think self-employment may be your path to a successful work journey, there are many paths you can consider.

• Find a mentor. One of the most helpful paths is to find a mentor. A mentor is someone who has gone through a similar process as you and can share their real-life experiences. They can help you develop your own business goals as well as help you create your business plan and forecast financial needs. One way to find a mentor is by visiting SCORE. SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential business mentoring services to prospective and established small business owners in the United States. You can type in your zip code to find free available mentors in your area.
• Visit online resources. Many organizations offer free resources to help you as you plan, launch, and grow your business including counseling, mentoring, education, and business plan development.
  • Small Business Administration. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides resources that can help you plan your business, launch your business and even get free business counseling. You can also find ways to get loans and other financial advice.
  • National Disability Institute. The Small Business Hub section of the National Disability Institute provides several online resources including free one-on-one counseling, help creating your business plan, and events for small business owners or potential owners.
  • Job Accommodation Network. The Job Accommodation Network offers the State Small Business and Self-Employment Guides as a resource for finding SBA offices and affiliated programs.
  • U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor offers a section for Small Business and Self-Employment for people who have questions about self-employment and its potential advantages for people with disabilities.
  • Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program. The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to help start their entrepreneurial journeys, such as business counseling, identifying funding resources, and finding business mentors.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can also email us at TicketToWork@ssa.gov or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. Whether they're in person or online, job fairs let you engage with potential employers and learn about job openings. If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, please email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

The websites listed below provide listings of career fairs that are taking place in many different locations across the country. Many also list virtual career fairs. We’ve listed a sampling of specific events, but please be sure to visit the organizations’ websites for complete listings and details.

Links to these job fairs are not affiliated with nor endorsed by Social Security and may not follow the same privacy, security and accessibility policies. To learn more about accommodations available to job seekers wanting to attend a fair, please contact each organization directly for their accommodation request process and deadlines.

Job FairX

Find your next job at one of these virtual job fairs hosted this month.

• April 7: Durham, NC Entry-Level Virtual Job Fair
• April 18: Arlington, TX Virtual Technology Job Fair
• April 21: Huntington Beach, CA Entry-Level Virtual Job Fair
• April 25: Columbia, MO Virtual Technology Job Fair
• April 28: Mobile, AL Entry-Level Virtual Job Fair

RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers. For a listing of all RecruitMilitary virtual events, visit their calendar.

• April 8: National Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
• April 17: Boston Veterans Job Fair
• April 24: Job Fair at Naval Station Norfolk
• April 29: Central Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans

USAJOBS

USAJOBS is the federal government's official employment site. As part of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), USAJOBS helps recruit and retain a world-class government workforce. USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world.

• April 3: U.S. Border Patrol Virtual Career Expo
• April 16: Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Pollock, LA – Career Fair

Have you recently started working and earning income? Congratulations! You’ve probably heard of gross income and net income. Now that you're working, it’s important to know the difference. We’ll review each one and share how both affect your path to financial independence through work.

Gross vs. Net Income

Gross income includes your entire income before any deductions are taken. For example, if you are working at a job where you're paid an hourly wage, your gross income is the hourly rate you're paid multiplied by the number of hours you've worked during a pay period.

For instance, if your pay period is one week and you work 20 hours at $15.00 per hour: $15.00 x 20 hours = $300.00. That means that your gross income for that pay period is $300.00.

However, you know that you don’t receive $300.00 on payday. That's because your paycheck will reflect your net income, or the amount of money left after deductions like taxes, employee benefits, or retirement plan contributions that have been taken out of your paycheck. Taxes and other deductions vary by state and city, and other deductions may vary by employer. Your pay stub should include a breakdown of what deductions have been taken out of your paycheck, and the amount of each deduction. It's a good idea to review this information to make sure your paycheck is accurate.

Why is Net Income Important?

Your net income is the amount of money available to you from your paycheck and is the money available to you for living expenses such as food, housing, and transportation. Use your net income when planning a budget for living expenses. This is a more accurate number of how much money you have available to spend or save.

Reporting Wages to Social Security

It is your responsibility to report your work and wages to Social Security if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). When reporting your wages, you will report your gross income. Social Security looks at gross income to determine whether you're meeting or exceeding substantial gainful activity (SGA). If you receive SSDI and are still in your Trial Work Period (TWP), Social Security looks at your gross earnings to determine if you've used one of your TWP months. Promptly reporting wages and work will help Social Security ensure you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.

Knowing the difference between your gross and net income is one key to successfully managing your finances.

How Can Ticket to Work Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.

The Ticket Program can support you with different forms of employment, including part time, seasonal and full time. Through the Ticket Program, a service provider such as an Employment Network (EN) can help you understand your income and properly report earnings to Social Security.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

It's tax season! If you earned income in 2024, it's important to file your taxes. This blog post discusses a tax credit that may apply to you and free services available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any taxes or are not required to file. The EITC reduces the amount of taxes you owe and may qualify you for a refund.

Do I qualify for the EITC?

To qualify for the EITC you must meet some basic requirements such as:

• Have worked and earned income under a certain amount that is dependent on marital status and number of dependents. Please refer to the IRS’s guidance
• Have investment income below $11,600 in tax year 2024
• Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your return

You can determine your eligibility and file and claim your EITC for free:

• Use the IRS’s EITC Assistant to help determine if you're eligible.
• According to the IRS website, if you made $84,000 or less in 2024, you can use software products through IRS's Free File and electronically file your return to claim your EITC. Visit IRS.gov to access the software.

Will a tax refund affect my SSDI or SSI?

You may be concerned that a tax refund will affect your eligibility for public benefits, including Social Security disability benefits, Medicare or Medicaid, and food stamps (SNAP). The law, according to Social Security, is clear that, in most cases, tax refunds, including refunds from tax credits such as the EITC, are not counted as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or payments. This applies to any federal program and any state or local program financed with federal funds.

For SSI recipients, income tax refunds are not counted as income and all federal tax refunds received on, or after January 2010, are not counted toward your SSI resource limit for 12 months (current allowable resource amount, according to Social Security, is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple). For more information, contact Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (1-800-325-0778 TTY).

Who can help?

The IRS works with national partners, community-based coalitions and thousands of local partners and governments. These partnerships, also known as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, provide free EITC tax return preparation and tax help  and tax education.

• VITA offers free basic tax-return preparation to people who:
• Generally, make $67,000 or less
• Have a disability
• Are limited-English-speaking taxpayers
• IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. To find your local VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887, or use the VITA Locator Tool.

How Can Ticket to Work Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work

The Ticket Program can support you with different forms of employment, including part time, seasonal and full time. Through the Ticket Program, a service provider such as an Employment Network (EN) can help you understand available Social Security choosework.ssa.gov.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. Whether they're in person or online, job fairs let you engage with potential employers and learn about job openings. If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, please email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

The websites listed below provide listings of career fairs that are taking place in many different locations across the country. Many also list virtual career fairs. We’ve listed a sampling of specific events, but please be sure to visit the organizations’ websites for complete listings and details.

Links to these job fairs are not affiliated with nor endorsed by Social Security and may not follow the same privacy, security and accessibility policies. To learn more about accommodations available to job seekers wanting to attend a fair, please contact each organization directly for their accommodation request process and deadlines.

Virtual Career Fairs

Below are some virtual career fairs being hosted throughout the nation this month. 

• March 18: Accounting and Business Virtual Fair
• March 20: Educational Technology Virtual Fair

RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers. For a listing of all RecruitMilitary virtual events, visit their calendar.

• March 18: National Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
• March 27: Pittsburgh Veterans Job Fair
• March 27: Job Fair at Joint Base Lewis McChord

Need help on your career path?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help. The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work.

Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the supports and services they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work. Connect with one today to learn how the Ticket Program can help you on your path.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

You can also learn more by registering for a free, online Work Incentives Seminar Event webinar. Or text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292 to receive Ticket Program texts. Standard messaging rates may apply, and you can opt out at any time.

Imagine that you are having a job interview, and the recruiter asks, “When have you shown leadership skills?” Would you know how to answer? This is a common behavioral interview question that can be hard to answer if you’ve never had a formal leadership role. However, we have some pointers to help you think about how to answer the question, even if you haven’t had a leadership title. First, let’s talk about behavioral types of questions.

What is a behavioral interview question?

Hiring managers and recruiters ask behavioral style questions to learn how you would behave in their workplace. They want you to recall your past experiences to learn how you solve problems, handle difficult situations, or engage with coworkers. Interviewers then use your answers to project how you might perform in the role they’re hiring for. Because behavioral questions are used in many industries, it’s important to be prepared for them by identifying examples and practicing your answers. Being able to quickly recall a relevant example will impress potential employers.

Why do employers ask this question?

When employers ask about leadership, they are trying to determine if you have the aptitude, skills, and experience to lead a team. They want to hear how you’ve handled difficult situations, identify your leadership style, and assess your communication and decision-making skills. Leaders often possess skills like conflict resolution, problem solving, delegation, and flexibility. How you answer this question can help hiring managers identify your strengths and weaknesses and how your approach to leadership will fit in their environment.

How do I answer this question?

The first step to answering this question is to choose an experience to share as an example. While your first thought might be leadership in the workplace, that’s not the only option. Have you coached a team, volunteered with a local scout troop, or led a school project? These are just some examples of leadership outside of the workplace you could share to answer this question.

Once you’ve decided which leadership experience to share, your next step should be to clearly explain what your responsibilities were. Use this step to give the interviewer a full picture of your experience.

Next, tell the interviewer about a specific assignment or situation you faced where you demonstrated your leadership skills. This could be how you led a team on a volunteer project. Make sure to share the outcome of the situation. Here’s an example:

• You led an effort to clean up the nearby river park. You solicited businesses to provide refreshments and supplies and recruited volunteers to do the cleanup. You assigned each volunteer a portion of the riverbank, gave them appropriate protective gear (gloves, masks, etc.), provided collection bags and guidance on how different types of litter should be handled and sorted. After the event, you asked the volunteers for feedback on suggestions for improving the project next year. Every volunteer offered to participate in next year’s cleanup. Share what you learned from the experience and how it further developed your leadership skills. If you have a thank-you note or email from the place where you volunteered, you could share it with your interviewer.

Be sure to practice your answer so you can speak with confidence to highlight your leadership skills.

How Can Ticket to Work Help

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.

The Ticket Program can support you with different forms of employment, including part time, seasonal, and full time. Through the Ticket Program, a service provider such as an Employment Network (EN) can help you practice for interviews and prepare for different questions an interviewer may ask.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

Career fairs are an excellent way to start or advance your job search. Whether they're in person or online, job fairs let you engage with potential employers and learn about job openings. If you're aware of an upcoming job fair that our readers would find helpful, please email us at socialmedia@choosework.ssa.gov with the event name, dates and official website.

The websites listed below provide listings of career fairs that are taking place in many different locations across the country. Many also list virtual career fairs. We’ve listed a sampling of specific events, but please be sure to visit the organizations’ websites for complete listings and details.

Links to these job fairs are not affiliated with nor endorsed by Social Security and may not follow the same privacy, security and accessibility policies. To learn more about accommodations available to job seekers wanting to attend a fair, please contact each organization directly for their accommodation request process and deadlines.

Virtual Career Fairs

Below are some virtual career fairs being hosted throughout the nation this month. 

• February 18: Eastern Region Virtual Career and Grad School Fair
• February 27: Higher Ed Virtual Career Fair - Early Career and Career Changers
• February 27: Cybersecurity & Technology Virtual Career Fair

RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers. For a listing of all RecruitMilitary virtual events, visit their calendar.

• February 20: Phoenix Veterans Job Fair
• February 25: Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans
• February 27: Job Fair at Fort Bliss

Need help on your career path?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help. The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work.

Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the supports and services they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work. Connect with one today to learn how the Ticket Program can help you on your path.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.

You can also learn more by registering for a free, online Work Incentives Seminar Event webinar. Or text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292 to receive Ticket Program texts. Standard messaging rates may apply, and you can opt out at any time.

Internships can be key stepping stones for people entering the workforce for the first time. For students, they are a bridge between academic learning and workplace expectations. However, internships aren’t “just for kids” anymore as more adults are seeking new careers or returning to work after a prolonged absence due to health, retirement, caregiving, or other personal reasons. Some people call these types of programs “returnships.”

What is an internship?

An internship is a temporary position, but that’s where the definition stops. The type of an individual internship can vary. It can be paid or unpaid, full or part time. An internship can be in-person, hybrid or fully remote. Internships can also vary in length, ranging from several weeks to a full year. In some cases, an internship involves obtaining college credit. In all cases, the benefit of an internship for an individual is to gain relevant skills and experience in a particular field of work.

Why should I consider an internship?

No matter whether you are a first-time worker or an experienced professional, there are internships worth investigating. For people with a disability, an internship can be a way to test whether working is a viable and good fit for you, as well as to gain valuable industry knowledge and build practical skills. Internships also have the potential to lead to full-time employment. Companies often use internships as a recruitment strategy that allows them to evaluate potential candidates for future job openings. Many organizations prioritize hiring individuals who have interned with them because it is an efficient way to bring in employees who are already familiar with their work and company culture.

What is a Returnship?

A returnship is an internship for those who have taken a break from work. Returnships provide an opportunity to get reintroduced to the workforce and refresh your skills. It also provides recent experience to aide in finding a full-time job. Path Forward and iRelaunch are organizations that are working to normalize career breaks and provide job boards specific to returnships and reentering the workforce.

How do I find an internship?

Finding an internship will depend on your individual situation. For example, a student will likely turn to their high school or college career center. These centers provide resources, such as internship listings, resume workshops, and interview coaching.

Many governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies offer internships specifically for people with disabilities. Some organizations sponsor internships for people interested in learning about disability-related advocacy, policy and research. You can find many of these with a simple website search for “disability internships.”

Other techniques, such as networking can be useful by building connections with professionals in your field of interest. Networking doesn’t mean just formal events; casual conversations in coffee shops, libraries, or local events can lead to new connections.

Don’t overlook digital connections for possible leads to internships. Platforms such as Handshake (for students) and LinkedIn are great websites to find listings, and they offer the ability to connect with recruiters.

Additionally, community or library bulletin boards or specialized job websites that cater to specific industries are possible avenues to use for locating internship listings. You can explore multiple routes to find an internship that suits your interests.

Can the Ticket to Work Program help me?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and support they need to find and maintain employment, including internships, as they move toward financial independence through work.

The Ticket Program can support you throughout every step of your job search. Through the Ticket Program, a service provider such as an Employment Network (EN) can assist you with your internship search. ENs can help you write your resume and cover letter, find internships to apply for, and prepare you for an interview.

How Can I Learn More?

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.