Major Activities
Occupational Information System Project
Occupational Information System Project
RETAIN is a joint project with the Department of Labor (DOL) testing early interventions to help workers stay at work or return to work quickly after experiencing the onset of a work-threatening injury, illness, or disability. The policy goals are to reduce long-term disability – including the need for SSDI or SSI benefits – and to increase employment retention and labor force participation among those individuals. DOL awarded cooperative agreements to states to implement RETAIN projects, and SSA will evaluate the project.
Although the states are each implementing their own unique models, all RETAIN projects are centered around early coordination of health care and employment-related supports and services for participating workers. The interventions include the following, at minimum:
In October 2018, SSA awarded a contract to Mathematica Policy Research to evaluate the RETAIN state projects. The final evaluation report is expected to be published in 2026.
In April 2021, DOL awarded Phase 2 funds for Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Vermont to build upon their work in RETAIN Phase 1. Phase 2 projects began enrolling participants as early as October of 2021.
Information For Phase 2 Participants
RETAIN Evaluation Design Report
Success Stories
These RETAIN Success Stories focus on the people and projects that enhance each state’s stay-at-work/return-to-work program. The Success Stories provide insight into the ways RETAIN programs may be used to promote the demonstration and enhance outreach with key audiences.
KS Success Story Phase 2
KY Success Story Phase 2
MN Success Story Phase 2
OH Success Story Phase 2
VT Success Story Phase 2
Related Links
DOL’s RETAIN website
DOL’s press release announcing the Phase 1 awards
DOL's press release announcing the Phase 2 awards
Special Topics Report
The RETAIN Demonstration: Practical Implications of State Variation in SSDI Entry