Effect of benefits counseling services on employment outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities

Objective: This study examined the impact of specialized benefits counseling services on levels of competitive employment for people with psychiatric disabilities receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits in Vermont. Methods: Beneficiaries who had a psychiatric disability and who received specialized benefits counseling (N= 364) were compared with matched contemporaneous and historical control participants over four years, two years before and two years after the initiation of the intervention. Study participants were consumers of vocational rehabilitation services, and the outcome measure was quarterly earnings from state unemployment insurance program records. Benefits counseling included general education regarding SSA disability programs, the various work incentives available under those programs, and other federal and state public benefits; individualized research and counseling regarding enrollees' current benefits packages; assistance in managing benefits through the transition to employment; and provision of information to supporting professionals. Results: Participants who received specialized benefits counseling achieved significantly greater improvements in earnings. The benefits counseling group increased its adjusted average earnings by $1,256 per year in comparison with the two control groups. Conclusions: Specialized benefits counseling appears to be an important employment support for Social Security Administration disability beneficiaries who have psychiatric disabilities.