Abstract: BACKGROUND: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. OBJECTIVE:This paper documents the employment and benefit outcomes of former child SSI recipients and estimates the association between vocational rehabilitation, vocational training, special education, and adult outcomes. METHODS:Multivariate analyses using linked survey and administrative data estimate the association between service receipt before age 18 and outcomes 13 years later, at ages 27 to 30, controlling for other factors. RESULTS: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. In contrast, vocational training is associated with a 6 percentage point increase in the likelihood of SSI or DI receipt, while special education is not statistically significantly associated with any of the adult outcomes analyzed. CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest vocational rehabilitation improves long-term employment and economic independence, but confounding factors may contribute to the observed relationships.
Keywords: Social security disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, transition
