| Citation: |
Gruman, C., Shrugue, N.A., Koppelman, J., Schimmel, J., Porter, A., Robison, J.T. (2014). The impact of benefits counseling and vocational rehabilitation on employment and earnings.
Journal of Rehabilitation, 80
(3),
21-29.
|
| Title: |
The impact of benefits counseling and vocational rehabilitation on employment and earnings |
| Authors: |
Gruman, C., Shrugue, N.A., Koppelman, J., Schimmel, J., Porter, A., Robison, J.T. |
| Year: |
2014 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Journal of Rehabilitation |
| Publisher: |
National Rehabilitation Association |
| Full text: |
https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-378680303/the-impact-of...
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
Yes
|
| Background: |
Persons with disabilities experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment. Benefits counseling has been identified as a possible way of increasing earnings for individuals with disabilities who are receiving SSA disability benefits. |
|
Purpose:
|
This study looks at the impact that involvement in benefits counseling, vocational rehabilitation, or a combination of both interventions has on employment outcomes and earnings. |
|
Setting:
|
state vocational rehabilitation |
|
Study sample: |
The sample includes 5,675 cases. Criteria for inclusion: SSI/SSDI recipients; cases closed for at least eight quarters. |
|
Intervention:
|
Benefits counselors provide education on SSA programs and financial planning for individuals receiving SSI/SSDI. |
|
Findings:
|
Individuals who received a combination of benefits counseling and vocational rehabilitation were more likely to be employed than those who received VR only. They also reported increased earnings over the five quarters after intervention. |
|
Conclusions:
|
Findings suggest that the addition of benefits counseling to vocational rehabilitation services would be beneficial. |
