The Relationship Between Youth Services and Adult Outcomes among Former Child SSI Recipients

The Relationship Between Youth Services and Adult Outcomes among Former Child SSI Recipients

Published: Mar 17, 2018
Publisher: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2
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Authors

Jeffrey Hemmeter

Michelle Stegman Bailey

Key Findings
  • Vocational rehabilitation is associated with a 9 percentage point increase in the likelihood of earnings above the annualized substantial gainful activity level and a 13 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of SSI or disability insurance (DI) receipt between ages 27 to 30.
  • Vocational training is associated with a 6 percentage point increase in the likelihood of SSI or DI receipt.
  • Special education is not statistically significantly associated with any of the adult outcomes analyzed.

The years leading up to age 18 are important for youth recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) considering making human capital investments to prepare for the transition to adulthood. This paper estimates the association between vocational rehabilitation, vocational training, and special education services received before age 18 and adult outcomes of former child SSI recipients. We use a multivariate analysis to estimate the relationship between youth service receipt and outcomes 13 years later, at ages 27 to 30, controlling for other factors. Results suggest vocational rehabilitation improves long-term employment and economic independence, but confounding factors may contribute to the observed relationships.

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