Researchers
Purpose of the Benefit Offset Pilot Demonstration
The intention of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in developing the Benefit Offset Pilot was to develop a 4-State voluntary demonstration project to test alternate methods of expanding and supporting work activity in the Title II (SSDI) disability program. This project was designed to inform a subsequent national demonstration project.
Research Questions
The overall results of the pilot project will test and refine basic elements of the national demonstration. In that context, SSA is interested in answering the following questions:
- What are the most effective methods of keeping participants informed of project activities and of maintaining participation in the project?
- What are the most effective methods of informing participants about the demonstration and obtaining their consent to participate in the project?
- What are the most important problems and issues surrounding both the provision of the state-specific employment supports to project participants, i.e., benefits planning, and the integration of these services with the benefit offset, and the best solutions?
- For whom does each of the State-specific employment support interventions appear to be the most effective?
Research and Evaluation Design
Overview
The demonstration is intended to test the effect of combining a benefit offset with different State-specific employment services, and the efficacy of administering such a program. The intervention group will receive both the State-specific employment supports and the benefit offset, while the control group will receive only the employment support interventions.
Target Population
The population eligible for the demonstration is Title II disability beneficiaries, who receive disability insurance benefits based on their own earnings record. Individuals who receive disability benefits based on another wage earner’s benefits, including Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) or Disabled Widow’s Benefits (DWB), are not eligible for the Pilot.
Title II beneficiaries who collect Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI), known as Concurrent Beneficiaries, will not be eligible for the demonstration project.
Earnings Disregard Level for the Benefit Offset
It is essential that no beneficiary is harmed by participation in the benefit offset. Therefore, SSA has determined that the benefit offset will begin at the point at which the individual has earnings at the SGA level, after the application of any relevant work incentive provisions. Similarly, the Trial Work Period, Grace Period and Cessation Period will be retained so that project participants will not be disadvantaged.
Benefit Offset Pilot Materials, Tools, & Information by State
Select a state below to view researcher materials and information: