Note: [] Address for correspondence: Sara McCormick, MPA, University of Utah, 260 So. Central Campus Dr., Room 214, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. USA. Tel.: +1 406 600 1692; +1 801 581 6781; Fax. +1 801 587 7861; Emails: sara.mccormick@cppa.utah.edu (Sara McCormick); sarah.a.wilhelm@gmail.com (Sarah Wilhelm).
Abstract: The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program provides services to individuals with disabilities to assist them in preparing for and obtaining employment. One service available to Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries is a written benefits analysis provided by a benefits counselor or certified work incentive counselor (CWIC) in the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. The written benefits analysis provided clients information on Social Security program rules and how employment earnings will impact their Social Security benefits as well as other public benefits they receive. The goal of the written analysis was to provide recipients with detailed information about the impact of increased earnings so they can make an informed choice about employment. Statistical analysis indicated that Utah Benefits Planning Assistance & Outreach Program (UBPAO) services are associated with improved earnings, employment outcomes and successful case closure status of VR clients. Multivariate analysis indicated a positive relationship between a written analysis and employment. Although, for those employed at least one quarter, a written analysis was not associated with an increase in their UI wages.
