Assessing the Costs and Benefits of Return-to-Work Programs (Issue Brief)

Each year, millions of workers in the United States develop a chronic illness, disability, or other serious medical problem. Many are at risk of exiting the labor force, especially if they do not receive timely and effective return-to-work (RTW) supports. These workers and their families frequently face substantial reductions in their standard of living, and may end up relying on public programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and Medicaid for income support and health care.