Appendix A - The Panel’s Charge

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel as provided under titles II, XI, XVI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act & the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1148 of the Social Security Act, is CHARGED WITH ADVISING the President, the Congress, and the Commissioner of SSA on issues related to:

• Work incentives, issues related to planning and assistance for individuals with disabilities including SSA work incentive specialists, Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach (BPAO), and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
• The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency
• Adequacy of Incentives for the provision of services by employment networks to all beneficiaries with disabilities
• Quality assurance / performance measurements for service delivery by employment networks
• Ensuring beneficiaries access to employment networks 
• Payment systems and management information systems
• The $1 for $2 Benefit Offset Demonstration
• Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program Medicaid Buy-In and other CMS demonstrations under the Ticket Act

The Panel will:

• Submit regular progress reports
• Receive the annual report of the P&A system set up under the Ticket Act

Appendix B - Panel Charter

Panel Charter for 2004 - 2006

The official Charter creating the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel was filed by the Social Security Administration with the General Services Administration on March 21, 2000. This is the legal document that the Federal Government uses to create all advisory groups. The content of this charter is based on the statutory language of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act in which Congress instructed that this Panel should be created and outlined its duties. The Charter must be updated and re-filed with the General Services Administration and the Congress every two years. The current Charter covers 2004 - 2006.

TICKET TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES ADVISORY PANEL

Purpose

Section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (Act), Public Law 106-170, establishes the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel (the Panel) within the Social Security Administration. The Panel is to advise the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner), the President, and the Congress on issues related to work incentives programs, planning and assistance for individuals with disabilities as provided under section 101(f)(2)(A) of that Act. The Panel also is 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.

Authority

Section 101(f) of Public Law 106-170 establishes the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel within the Social Security Administration. The Panel is governed by the provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U. S. Code, Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees, and the General Services Administration regulations on the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) at 41 C.F.R. 102-3.5 et seq.

Functions

Responsibility

The Panel shall report to the Commissioner.

Duties

The Panel shall have the following duties as provided under section 101(f)(2) of Public Law 106-170:

• Advise the Commissioner, the President, and the Congress on issues related to work incentives programs, planning, and assistance for individuals with disabilities, including work incentive provisions under titles II, XI, XVI, XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act;
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• With respect to the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (the Program) established under section 1148 of the Social Security Act--
  
  
  1. Advise the Commissioner with respect to establishing phase-in sites for the Program and fully implementing the Program thereafter, the refinement of access of disabled beneficiaries to employment networks, payment systems, and management information systems, and advise the Commissioner whether such measures are being taken to the extent necessary to ensure the success of the Program;
     
     
  2. Advise the Commissioner regarding the most effective designs for research and demonstration projects associated with the Program or conducted pursuant to section 302 of Public Law 106-170 (relating to demonstration projects providing for reductions in Social Security benefits based on earnings);
     
     
  3. Advise the Commissioner on the development of performance measures relating to quality assurance under section 1148(d)(6) of the Social Security Act (relating to quality assurance in the provision of services by employment networks); and
     
     
  4. Furnish progress reports on the Program to the Commissioner and each House of Congress.

• By the Commissioner during the development and evaluation of the study required under section 1148(h)(5)(C) of the Social Security Act (relating to a report by the Commissioner on the adequacy of incentives for employment networks to provide services under the Program to certain individuals);



• By the Commissioner in connection with the evaluations under section 101(d)(4) of Public Law 106-170 (relating to assessing the effectiveness of activities carried out under the provisions of, and amendments made by, section 101 of that law) and the Commissioner's responsibilities under section 101(d)(4)(C) with respect to such evaluations;



• By the Commissioner in connection with the Commissioner's responsibility under section 1149(a) of the Social Security Act to establish a community-based work incentives planning and assistance program as provided under section 1149; and



• By the Secretary of Health and Human Services in connection with the Secretary’s responsibility under section 203(f) of Public Law 106-170 to submit a recommendation to certain committees of Congress regarding whether the grant program established under section 203 should be continued after fiscal year 2011.

Structure

The Panel shall be composed of 12 members of whom 4 will be appointed by the President, 4 by the Senate and 4 by the House of Representatives as provided under section 101(f)(3) of Public Law 106-170. No more than two of the presidential appointments may be of the same political party. Appointments shall be made without regard to the provisions of Title 5, U. S. Code, governing appointments to competitive service.

Members shall have experience or expert knowledge as a recipient, provider, employer, or employee in the fields of, or related to, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services. At least one-half of the members appointed shall be individuals with disabilities, or representatives of individuals with disabilities, with consideration given to current or former disability beneficiaries.

Of the 12 members first appointed, one-half of such members shall be appointed for a term of two years and the remaining members shall be appointed for a term of four years in the manner provided under section 101(f)(3)(C) of Public Law 106-170. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a term of four years or, if less, for the remaining life of the Panel as provided under that section. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A vacancy in the panel shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. A member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a successor has taken office.

The President shall designate the Chairperson of the Panel to serve a term of four years.

Meetings

The Panel shall meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members with advanced concurrence from a government official designated by the Commissioner of Social Security who shall be present at all meetings. The Panel may hold hearings and take testimony and evidence, as appropriate, as provided under section 101(f)(5)(A) of Public Law 106-170. Eight members of the Panel shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise in accordance with 5 U.S. Code, Appendix 2, and other applicable law. Due notice of all meetings shall be given to the public. Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and regulations. A web site will be maintained for the publication and review of the Panel's documents.

All meetings will be held in accessible locations and reasonable accommodations will be provided to the known needs (i.e., interpreters for individuals with hearing impairments, Braille and large print copies of materials for individuals with visual impairments) of the members and the public in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Compensation

Members of the Panel who are not full-time Federal employees shall be paid compensation at the daily rate of a GS-15, step 10, plus travel expenses, including per diem for each day (including travel time) the member attends meetings or otherwise performs duties of the Panel. While serving away from their homes or regular places of business, the members will be allowed travel expenses in accordance with Standard Government Travel Regulations for persons on temporary duty.

Annual Cost Estimate

The Social Security Administration is responsible for providing the necessary support for the Panel. The estimated annual cost for operating the Panel, including compensation and travel expenses for the members but excluding staff support, is $1,402,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2004 and $1,402,000 for FY 2005. The estimated annual person years required is six staff hired to support the Panel at an annual estimated cost of $500,000 for FY 2004 and $500,000 for FY 2005.

Consultants

The Panel may also engage additional technical assistance from experts and consultants skilled in work incentives, medical requirements and the employment of persons with disabilities as necessary to carry out its functions as provided under section 101(f)(4)(C) of Public Law 106-170.

Reports

The Panel shall transmit interim reports at least annually and a final report to the President and the Congress not later than December 17, 2007. The final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Panel, together with its recommendations for legislation and administrative actions which the Panel considers appropriate.

Termination

Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the Panel shall terminate thirty (30) days after the date of the submission of its final report.

Approved:

March 24, 2004 Date

Signed: Jo Anne B. Barnhart (original copy on file) Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Appendix C - Strategic Planning Participants

Participants in the strategic planning process are listed below.