Social Security has the opportunity for you to let your talents and skills shine. We recruit qualified applicants in a variety of career fields at all levels of experience. This is your chance to explore a potential career that interests you!
Using programs such as the Selective Placement Program and the Ticket to Work Program we select qualified individuals with disabilities for positions that maximize their talents. With many diverse career fields available, you can find fulfilling work in a collegial and caring environment while you grow professionally along with your peers. Social Security is a special place to find a rewarding career in public service. We invite you to learn more about us and the very special people on our team.
Social Security provides necessary reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities so that they may perform their duties successfully.
Selective Placement Program / Schedule A
To Qualify for Schedule A Hiring Authority
People with disabilities may be considered for employment through the competitive hiring process or in some circumstances, under the Schedule A hiring authority. Individuals that may fall under this special hiring authority include persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. In these cases, an agency may make a permanent, temporary, or time-limited appointment. Disabled veterans may also be considered under special hiring programs for disabled veterans with disability ratings from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30 percent or more.
To Qualify
Proof of Disability: To qualify for employment under Schedule A, a person must provide Proof of Disability. An individual wishing to be hired under the Schedule A hiring authority must provide proof he or she is indeed an individual with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. Proof must be provided to the hiring agency before an individual can be hired.
How to Document: For Proof of Disability we accept appropriate documentation (e.g., records, statements, or other appropriate information) issued from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., State or private); or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
Temporary Appointments
Temporary Appointments may be considered when we decide it is necessary to observe job applicants on the job to determine whether they are able or ready to perform the duties of the position. When we uses this option to determine an individual's job readiness, we may convert the individual to a permanent appointment in the excepted service whenever we determine the individuals are able to perform the duties of the position. Time limited appointments may be considered when the duties of the position do not require it to be filled on a permanent basis.
The Social Security Administration provides reasonable accommodations so that people with disabilities have the opportunity to perform the duties of their positions.
How to Apply
If you are interested in being considered under the Schedule A hiring authority, send your resume, and proof of disability along with a statement of your geographic area of job interest to Selective Placement Coordinator (scroll down to Social Security Administration section) in your region. If you are a veteran with a disability and are interested in applying for employment under special hiring programs, contact the Social Security regional personnel office in your area.
The Ticket to Work (TTW) Program provides most people receiving Social Security benefits more choices for receiving employment services. It is a voluntary employment program designed for people who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. The goal of the program is to increase self-sufficiency for beneficiaries with disabilities and increase their opportunities and choices through employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services.
Under this program, Social Security issues tickets to eligible beneficiaries who may choose to assign those tickets to an Employment Network (EN) of their choice to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services needed to achieve a vocational goal. The EN, if they accept the ticket, will coordinate and provide appropriate services to help the beneficiary find and maintain employment.
Eligibility
Elegibility Requirements: The Ticket to Work Program is available to current beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) age 18 through 64; and to current beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, age 18 through 64.
Opportunities
- Employment: Social Security issues beneficiaries a ticket that may be used to obtain employment support services from an expanded pool of employment providers called Employment Networks (ENs). An EN is an organization (State or local, public or private) that enters into a contract with Social Security with the intention of coordinating and delivering employment services, VR services, and/or other support services under the Ticket to Work Program. These services are provided by the EN to Social Security beneficiaries who have assigned their Tickets to the EN which has accepted the Ticket. An EN may not charge a person for services provided. Beneficiaries who choose to work with an EN, including a state VR agency, may be exempt from initiation of a medical continuing disability review, if they are meeting certain goals toward becoming economically self-sufficient.
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): Social Security provides funding to State VR agencies to support them in their efforts to help prepare people with disabilities for jobs and teach job skills. In their partnership with Social Security, the services State VR’s provide must result in the individual’s return to work for at least nine continuous months at a substantial earnings level as determined by Social Security.
- Private and Public Support Service Providers: The TTW program is meant to encourage partnerships and opportunities for meaningful cooperation between agencies which assist people with disabilities to work. A person with a Ticket may choose between being served by a provider approved by SSA to function as an EN or being served by the State VR agency.
Incentives
Work incentives help beneficiaries remove barriers to work by offering support services and providing a safety net to assist beneficiaries in finding meaningful employment and succeeding in the workplace.
Examples of work incentives are the delay of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) while using a Ticket, extended Medicare while working, and expedited reinstatement of benefits for those who may not be able to continue their work efforts.
Benefits
- Beneficiaries can choose to use their Ticket because the TTW program is free and voluntary
- There is no need to worry if a Ticket is lost since the actual Ticket is not required to participate
- The TTW program helps people to access vocational rehabilitation, training, and placement services
- A combination of work incentives can be used to explore work options and still receive benefits
- If a work attempt is unsuccessful, beneficiaries can get back on Social Security benefits
A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or change in the work environment that enables a person with a disability to compete equally or perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation also includes adjustments to assure that a person with a disability has equal benefits and privileges of employment enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities. The accommodation must be job related and not for personal use (e.g. hearing aids, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, and transportation to work).
Congratulations to Patricia Naumann, Manager of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin Social Security office, for being named an Employee of the Year by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine. Pat earned this prestigious title for her professional and advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities in the workplace.
After earning her Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Pat began her career at SSA in 1982. She worked her way up through the ranks, proving her merit and qualifications at each level of her career until being competitively chosen to be the Manager of the Manitowoc office in October 2004.
Reaching this level in her career is particularly noteworthy, and even remarkable, because Pat has a vision impairment which has left her blind since childhood. Her story is a triumphant testimonial to the valuable contributions that members of the "disabled" community can deliver to our society when they are afforded the tools and opportunity to do so.
Pat has developed into a "power user" of the assistive technologies which provide impaired persons with equal access to employment opportunities. Recognizing the value this has had for her, she has been extremely proactive in volunteering to train and counsel other visually impaired persons in the use of these technologies. Pat has frequently traveled throughout the Midwest as a member of the Chicago Region Employees with Disabilities Training Cadre, whose mission is to provide support for employees who require the use of screen reading software while performing their job duties.
Pat does not perceive her limited sight as an insurmountable barrier, choosing instead to treat it as an inconvenient obstacle that she is eagerly confident of overcoming. As a result, Pat is, and always has been, a ground-breaking pioneer in opening up the workplace to persons with disabilities, for whom she has served as both an example and an inspiration.
Source: In the SSA Family, March 2006 edition.
William J. Bowman, or as he is more commonly known, "Billy," has been with SSA for over 25 years. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University, Billy began his SSA career in the Office of Operations holding various positions, including Benefits Authorizer, working his way up to his current position as a Public Affairs Specialist with the Office of Communications.
As a Public Affairs Specialist, Billy's job is to communicate with SSA constituents providing clear and accurate information on the programs and policies of SSA. His success in his position is a testament to Billy's drive and ability to overcome the inherent communication barriers for the Deaf. In his position, Billy has become a nationally recognized lecturer within the deaf and hard of hearing community, giving numerous speeches and presenting workshops all over the country on the programs and services available at SSA. Billy has presented workshops at several conferences including the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government's National Training Conference, the National Association of the Deaf's 2006 Biennial Conference and the Deaf Senior Citizens Conference.
Throughout his career, Billy has continuously been a voice for SSA and Federal employees who are deaf or hard of hearing, promoting the need for sign language interpreter services and other communication technologies available which would enhance the worklife of this group of employees. Billy recently participated in the production of the Center for Disability Services Interactive Video Teletraining for educating managers on hiring, recruiting and promoting employees with disabilities.
Billy's historical dedication to this effort led him to become one of the founding members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (DHHIG); a non-profit organization chartered in 1998, to address the need for a knowledgeable, problem-identifying and solving organization representing deaf and hard of hearing Government employees. In May 2005, Billy was selected as Executive Director of DHHIG. Billy has continuously been involved in SSA's efforts to improve sign language interpreter services and has participated in pilot programs for various technologies for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Since 2003, Billy has effectively represented SSA as a Loaned Executive in the United Way's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign. As a Loaned Executive, Billy is responsible for 20-25 accounts, i.e., Federal agencies, requiring his guidance, support and participation in the promotion of their CFC fundraisers. During his assignment to the CFC campaign, Billy has participated in promotional videos and has been the keynote speaker at several Federal agency's CFC kick-off celebrations. Through his participation and ability to put those around him at ease, Billy has highlighted the value of disability awareness and minimized what some experience as a challenge of working with a person with a disability.
Source: In the SSA Family, May 2007 edition
Q: What are the types of positions within Social Security?
A: SSA has a wide variety of positions available. For more information, please explore our Career Paths on the Careers home page.
Q: What is the Ticket to Work program?
A: Ticket to Work is a voluntary employment program for individuals receiving Social Security and/or SSI disability benefits who are interested in working. Participants of this program can receive assistance from a service provider and also use a number of work incentives as they explore work options while still receiving disability benefits. For more information, please open the Ticket to Work section above this section.
Q: How does a person with a disability apply for Federal jobs?
A: In addition to going to www.usajobs.gov and researching jobs for which they wish to apply, an individual may also contact an agency Selective Placement Coordinator to find out if they qualify for the Schedule A Excepted Service authority. Special programs or authorities exist for veterans, students, and ticket holders.
Q: As an individual with a severe physical disability, what documentation must I provide when applying for a job?
A: If an individual competes for an appointment through the regular application process just as most non-disabled applicants must do, then no documentation is required beyond what is outlined in the vacancy announcement. Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may also be eligible for consideration under the Schedule A hiring authority where, if eligible, he or she may be appointed non-competitively. To qualify for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, a person must have proof of his/her disability and a certification of job readiness.
Q: Do disabled veterans receive any special consideration when applying for Federal jobs?
A: Yes, disabled veterans may qualify for a non-competitive appointment under the Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment authority. If a veteran has a disability rating of 30 percent or more, he or she may also be eligible for appointment under the 30 Percent Disabled Veterans appointment authority. If a disabled veteran competes for an appointment through the regular application process just as most non-disabled applicants must do, they may receive preference in the hiring process by submitting the service records and disability documentation outlined in the vacancy announcement. Please click on Veterans for more information and resources on this topic.
Q: Can college students apply for positions in Federal service?
A: Yes, there are several student programs. We also suggest students contact their school’s disability services or career services coordinator for information on the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities. Please click on this link Students & Recent Graduates for more information and resources on this topic.
Q: Are there any intern programs available for individuals who are not students, veterans, or disabled?
A: Yes. In July 2012, the new Pathways Program will replace the Federal Career Intern Program across federal government. It is likely we will be able to implement this program in early 2013. The Pathways program will allow us to consider recent graduates and experienced candidates from many diverse backgrounds who come from many types of professional experiences and scholastic environments.
Q: What is a reasonable accommodation and can I qualify for it?
A: A reasonable accommodation is a modification or an adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodation also includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has equal benefits and privileges of employment enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities.
Q: Is an agency required to provide a reasonable accommodation to an employee?
A: Yes, an individual is entitled to an accommodation if he or she is a qualified individual with a disability, the accommodation is needed to do the essential functions of the position, and the accommodation is reasonable.
Q: Has Social Security successfully employed people with disabilities?
Yes, we have successfully employed people with disabilities for many years. See our Success Stories section on this page to learn more about how fulfilling a career can be with SSA!