Welcome to the Ticket to Work Program
The Ticket to Work program is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, and become financially independent, all while they keep their Medicare or Medicaid. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of disability and are age 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program. If you want to learn more about us, you are in the right place. Are you considering going to work? We are ready to help you explore job opportunities and provide guidance on work incentives available to you. If you are already working and want to keep on the road to financial independence, we would love to be part of your journey.
Meet Ben!
The Ticket to Work program helps you free of charge, to get vocational training, job referrals and other employment support services.
About Us
Advance to Work is a National Employment Network for the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program.
Raymundo F. Patino
Raymundo F. Patino is the Program Coordinator and Founder for Advance To Work, Social Security Administration Approved National Employment Network. Raymundo is a Certified Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has worked as Employment Specialist in the Ticket to Work program since 2015 and has helped several dozens of ticket holders become self-sufficient. Advance To Work has been a proud member of National Employment Network Association (NENA) since 2015.
Linda Patino
Linda Patino serves as our Program Administrator. She has over 28 years of experience assisting individuals with returning to work and career advancement opportunities. She has worked with Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program since 2003 and has assisted many individuals over the years with reaching their goal of returning to work. She became a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor in 2010 and continues that training for updates annually in order to provide guidance with benefits and work incentives.
She served on many committees, built strong partnerships with American Job Centers, State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, employers, and educational institutes to enhance services and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. During her 28 years with Tulare County Office of Education, she managed the Ticket to Work Program, WIOA Youth Services, and CalWORKS Return to work program where she has provided services to all ages and build a knowledge of resources for those we serve.
Crystal Walls
Crystal Walls joined Advance To Work in October 2021 as our Employment Team “Office Support”. As a new high school graduate, Crystal was seeking a job in the health field to help others. When learning about the Ticket to Work program, Crystal asked to join our program so she can continue to help others. As a youth, she gained experience helping her brother who has social challenges. She continues to encourage him that he can do anything anyone else does with the right attitude, opportunity, and support. Her strengths are with researching job opportunities and matching them with your employment goals and skills. She is determined to contribute all she can to help you reach your goal.
Monica Walls
Monica Walls joined Advance To Work in February 2023 as an Employment Specialist. She has 18 years of experience working with Adults with special needs and understands the challenges they face when starting or going back to work. Monica provides on-going care for her teen child and parent with disabilities where she has learned and experienced their struggles with everyday life including the financial hardship to cover their increasing expenses. She is dedicated to help guide and support those with disabilities to reach their employment goals by continuing her education and knowledge of services and supports available to help those individuals with disabilities.
Services
Pre-Employment Services
- Job Seeking Skills
- Career Counseling
- Job Search
- Resume Writing
- Job Development
- Interview Skills
- Referral to Community Resources
Post Employment Services
- On-going Work Incentives and Benefit Counseling
- Long Term Case Management
- Community Resources
- Peer Support If Need It
- Advice On Career Advancement Opportunities
- Provide Information On Job Accommodations
- Wage Reporting
Success Stories
Hear the real stories from actual Social Security beneficiaries of how they took advantage of the free employment services provided by the Ticket to Work program to put themselves on the path to a better self-supporting future.
Vilmarie remembers the day that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) came into her life with no warning and no indication of leaving. The energetic 26-year-old worked in retail and spent a lot of time on her feet. So when she experienced sudden fatigue, numbness and discomfort in her legs one morning, she thought she just needed some rest. But the strange feelings came back. Blurred vision and vertigo were added to the litany of unpredictable….
Andraéa took her position at the front of a gymnasium full of parents who did not know what to expect from Camp Starfish’s “Passion Show.” Camp Starfish is a Girl Scout camp in Rockville, MD, where girls with developmental disabilities can make friends and discover new experiences in a supportive environment. As the Inclusion Specialist for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC), Andraéa acts as a mentor….
Interest Form
For Information On Services, Please Complete This Interest Form And We Will Contact You As Soon As Possible.
Web Links:
Advance To Work (866) 570-9201 P.O. Box 7175 Visalia, CA 93290
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