Benefit Offset Four-State Pilot

State(s) / Location(s) Involved

Connecticut, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin

Start / Enrollment Date

August 2005

Description

Summary

The Benefit Offset Pilot Demonstration tested a $1 reduction in SSDI benefits for every $2 in earnings in combination with employment supports, with the goal of helping beneficiaries with disabilities return to work.  The projects provided beneficiaries with a gradual reduction in their benefits, eliminating the normal abrupt loss of cash benefits in the SSDI program when a beneficiary works and has earnings over a specific amount.  Participants maintained ongoing eligibility for health care benefits and other supports linked to SSDI eligibility. 

Individual State Final Reports:

Connecticut
Utah
Vermont
Wisconsin

Publications:

“Effects on beneficiary employment and earnings of a graduated $1-for-$2 benefit offset for Social Security Disability Insurance ,” Journal of Rehabilitation, April-June 2011.

“The impact of changing financial work incentives on the earnings of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries,” Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, vol. 30 no. 4, pp. 708-728.

“Supporting Work Effort of SSDI Beneficiaries: Implementation of Benefit Offset Pilot Demonstration,” Journal of Disability Policy Studies.

Related Links

National Benefit Offset Demonstration

Status

The demonstration ended in December 2014.