|
This study will evaluate the Ticket to Work program, a major federal initiative which seeks to increase disability beneficiaries' employment and reduce their dependence on benefits by expanding their options for obtaining the training and support needed to go to work. The program provides eligible Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries with a ticket that can be used to obtain vocational rehabilitation or employment services from a mix of public and private providers. These providers are paid by the Social Security Administration only after successfully returning disabled beneficiaries to work.
The evaluation consists of two parts:
Part A includes a series of annual evaluation reports that examine the implementation and effects of the program. This contract also covers the development of a research database derived from administrative data, a comprehensive process evaluation, and an extensive analysis of outcomes and impacts. The evaluation will pay special attention to how well the program serves beneficiaries who are likely to have extra difficulty obtaining and
holding jobs.
In Part B , thousands of disability beneficiaries will be surveyed to provide key information for the evaluation and to help the Social Security Administration understand the work activities, options, and attitudes of disabled beneficiaries. Specifically, the survey will collect data on disability and work status, awareness of Ticket to Work and other work incentive programs, experiences with the program, reasons why eligible people choose not to participate, employment services used, health and functional status, health insurance, income and other assistance, and
sociodemographic characteristics. Program participants will also be followed longitudinally for several years.
|
