Securing Employment and Economic Keys to Stability for Persons With Disabilities
brief summary
There is a myth that if a person is applying for SSI/SSDI he cannot seek employment. This goal of this research is to learn if a new model of service can lead to employment, increase in gross wages, and a decrease in social isolation for persons with disabilities who work with Centers for Independent Living on applying for SSI/SSDI benefits. The researchers want to compare the services these centers typically offer these consumers to a new model - a team trained in (1) the SOAR model for SSI/SSDI application assistance, (2) certified benefits planning training, (3) customized employment training, and (4) individual employment placement services.
detailed description
Hypotheses and Specific Aims: The goal of the SEEKS research project is to increase employment for adult persons (ages 18-60 years of age) with disabilities who get services from a Center for Independent Living (CIL), increase gross income, and/or reduce social isolation. Our broad grant objectives are:
Objective 1: Connect persons with disabilities applying for Supplemental security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with competitive employment.
Objective 1a: Train CIL staff to utilize SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) strategies.
Objective 1b: Train CIL staff in Customized Employment
Objective 2: Provide benefits counseling to persons with disabilities applying for SSI/SSDI.
Objective 2a: Provide Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC) Training to CIL staff so they can provide benefit counseling to persons with disabilities applying for SSI/SSDI.
Objective 3: Increase connections for persons with disabilities who are seeking independent living services.
To meet these objectives, the investigators are conducting a randomized control trial where CIL consumers who agree to be in the study will be randomized to work with a group of CIL employees who received training in SOAR, Customized Employment, Supported Employments, and Benefits Planning (CWIC) (Treatment Group) to consumers working with CIL employees who will offer business as usual (Control Group). The hypotheses are:
H1: Significantly more participants in the Experimental Services Group will be employed (competitive employment) than participants in the Usual Care Group at the end of the project.
H1a: Significantly more participants in the Experimental Services Group will be in employment greater than substantial gainful activity (SGA) at the end of the program than participants in the Usual Care Group.
H2: Participants in the Experimental Services Group will report a significantly higher gross income (wages and/or benefits) at the end of the program than participants in the Usual Care Group.
H2a - Significantly more participants in the Experimental Services Group will report a higher level of satisfaction with their income at the end of the program than participants in the Usual Care Group.
official title
Securing Employment and Economic Keys to Stability (SEEKS)