'No Consistent Evidence' $3 Billion Disability Program Helps Recipients Find a Job

'Very few participants return to work'

The Social Security Administration has spent $3 billion on programs designed to incentivize disability recipients to go back to work over the past 16 years. So far, less than 3 percent of beneficiaries have signed up, with "no consistent evidence" the program has helped participants find a job.

The inspector general for the agency released an audit last week calling for Congress to evaluate the "viability" of the programs, including Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency (TTW) and Achieve Self-Support (PASS).

"SSA has spent about $3 billion administering two ongoing congressionally mandated return-to-work programs and a time-limited demonstration project designed to determine whether a policy change would help beneficiaries return to work," the inspector general said. "However, these programs and demonstration project enticed a small percentage of disabled individuals to return to work."

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program provides tickets to disabled beneficiaries that they can use at partnering organizations for a job or vocational rehabilitation.

The audit found the program can save taxpayers money, though few have signed up, and the program lacks evidence that recipients are actually finding employment.

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