Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of work incentives benefits counseling (WIBC) on employment and earnings for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- The study used a nonexperimental design to compare the outcomes of WIBC participants to a matched comparison group of non-participants. Using the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report, the authors conducted statistical tests to compare outcomes between the groups.
- The study found that WIBC participants were significantly more likely to be employed and have higher hourly wages than non-participants.
- This study receives a moderate evidence rating. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to work incentives benefits counseling (WIBC), and not to other factors.
Intervention Examined
Work Incentives Benefits Counseling (WIBC)
Features of the Intervention
Work incentives benefits counseling (WIBC) is a set of strategies designed to promote employability of beneficiaries of supplemental security income (SSI), social security disability insurance (SSDI), and Medicaid/Medicare. WIBC provides employment support without the loss of benefits. By using WIBC, individuals who are receiving services and supports can make educated decisions about their level of work activity and become financially independent.
Features of the Study
This study used a nonexperimental design to compare the outcomes of WIBC participants and non-participants. The study used a sample of individuals from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report for program year 2018. The eligibility criteria included having an intellectual disability, being between the ages of 18 and 35, being on SSI, and receiving vocational rehabilitation services. The authors created a matched comparison group of non-participants who were similar to WIBC participants in terms of race, gender, income status, education status, and referral source. After matching, the analysis sample included 1,046 participants in each group. Over half of the study sample was male (56%) and White (53%), with an average age of 22 years. The authors used statistical tests to compare employment status and hourly wages between the WIBC participants and non-participants.
Findings
Employment
- The study found that WIBC participants had significantly higher rates of competitive employment compared to non-participants (59% vs. 44%).
Earnings and wages
- The study found that WIBC participants earned significantly higher hourly wages compared to non-participants ($10.18 vs. $9.50).
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
Although the authors used a well-implemented nonexperimental design, WIBC participants self-selected into the program. Individuals with intellectual disabilities who self-selected into the program could differ in observable and unobservable ways (e.g., being more motivated to work), affecting the observed outcomes.
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of causal evidence presented in this report is moderate because it is based on a well-implemented nonexperimental design. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to the intervention, and not to other factors.