EFE's PABSS Program at Work

In April of 2001, Equip for Equality Inc. received a grant from the Social Security Administration to create a new project called Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS). Created as part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1990, the PABSS projects were funded to provide legal and advocacy services to beneficiaries of Social Security who are interested in finding or maintaining employment.

As part of its work, the Illinois PABSS project is charged with the enormous task of providing information to beneficiaries of Social Security about the Social Security work incentives, the new Ticket to Work Program and the employment rights of individuals with disabilities. In order to fulfill this mission, John Coburn, PABSS Project Manager, and Advocate Cheryl Martin have presented training seminars all over the state for people with disabilities, family members, service providers and agencies, and employers on the "Employment Rights of Beneficiaries of Social Security" and "Using Your Ticket to Work."

In addition to the training seminars, PABSS staff members have been conducting site visits to all of the employment networks involved with the Ticket to Work program. Under this program, beneficiaries of Social Security can use tickets that they received in the mail to access employment and rehabilitation-related services at one of approximately 57 service providers throughout the state. The PABSS project is charged with assisting beneficiaries with any disputes that arise in accessing this new system or working with the employment networks.

Contact Information

If you are currently receiving cash assistance from Social Security and need advocacy or legal services concerning work issues, or if you would like more information on PABSS seminars in your area, please call 312-341-0022, 800-537-2632 (Voice) or 800-610-2779 (TTY), or visit the Ticket to Work Project on our website. =

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