The Ticket To Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Meeting

AGENCY:

Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION:

Notice of Quarterly Meeting.

DATES:

February 1, 2006—9 a.m. to 5 p.m., February 2, 2006—9 a.m. to 5 p.m., February 3, 2006—8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

Embassy Suites San Juan, 8000 Tartak Street, Isla Verde Carolina, San Juan, PR 00979. Phone: 787-791-0505.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Type of meeting: On February 1-3, 2006, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel (the “Panel”) will hold a quarterly meeting open to the public.

Purpose: In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announces a meeting of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Section 101(f) of Public Law 106-170 establishes the Panel to advise the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of SSA on issues related to work incentive programs, planning, and assistance for individuals with disabilities as provided under section 101(f)(2)(A) of the TWWIA. The Panel is also to advise the Commissioner on matters specified in section 101(f)(2)(B) of that Act, including certain issues related to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 101(a) of that Act.

Interested parties are invited to attend the meeting. The Panel will use the meeting time to receive briefings and presentations on matters of interest, conduct full Panel deliberations on the implementation of the Act and receive public testimony.

The Panel will meet in person commencing on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The quarterly meeting will continue on Thursday, February 2, 2006, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The meeting will continue on Friday, February 3, 2006, from 8 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.

Agenda: Members of the public must schedule a time slot in order to comment. In the event public comments do not take the entire scheduled time period, the Panel may use that time to deliberate or conduct other Panel business. Public testimony will be heard on Thursday, February 2, 2006, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Individuals interested in providing testimony in person should contact the Panel staff as outlined below to schedule a time slot. Each presenter will be acknowledged by the Chair in the order in which they are scheduled to testify and is limited to a maximum five-minute, verbal presentation.

Full written testimony on the Implementation of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Program, no longer than five (5) pages, may be submitted in person or by mail, fax or e-mail on an ongoing basis to the Panel for consideration.

Since seating may be limited, persons interested in providing testimony at the meeting should contact the Panel staff by e-mailing Ms. Tinya White-Taylor, at Tinya.White-Taylor@ssa.gov or by calling (202) 358-6430. Social Security beneficiary testimony will be heard on Friday, February 3, 2006, from 10:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The Panel is seeking beneficiary testimony on how changes in the following would affect beneficiaries' return to work experiences: (1) Ending the requirement that an individual's medical benefits must be tied to their eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cash benefits; (2) gradually reducing beneficiaries' monthly SSDI checks once they earn a certain amount for a certain period of time instead of ending them all at once; (3) allowing beneficiaries to earn more and still remain eligible for a monthly Social Security check; (4) providing beneficiaries accurate, understandable information about how Social Security work rules would affect them; (5) extending beneficiaries' eligibility for other federally funded support services, such as financial help with housing and food for a transition period of up to 3 years after reaching full-time employment; and (6) any other issues not listed above that would affect beneficiaries' ability to return to work. Beneficiaries who would like to speak to the Panel should contact Tinya White-Taylor by January 25, 2006, and state which of the above issues they'll be addressing. (See contact information above.) Beneficiary testimony will be presented by topic area. Written comments from those who do not attend are also welcomed and must be submitted in person or by mail, fax, or e-mail by January 25, 2006.

The full agenda for the meeting will be posted on the Internet at http://www.ssa.gov/work/panel at least one week before the starting date or can be received, in advance, electronically or by fax upon request.

Contact Information: Records are kept of all proceedings and will be available for public inspection by appointment at the Panel office. Anyone requiring information regarding the Panel should contact the staff by:

• Mail addressed to the Social Security Administration, Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Staff, 400 Virginia Avenue, SW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20024.
• Telephone contact with Tinya White-Taylor at (202) 358-6420.
• Fax at (202) 358-6440.
• E-mail to TWWIIAPanel@ssa.gov.