Long term follow-up of a controlled study to facilitate SSI benefits: Final report

Publication Date: 3/31/2003

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Description:

This is the final report of a project initiated during FY2001-2002 and completed during FY2002- 2003. Briefly, using mortality data from the Social Security Administration's public use Death Index, and selected administrative data available in the FMHI Policy and Services Research Data Center (PSRDC), a long-term follow-up study was conducted on the project published by Dow and Boaz (1994). In that study, 1025 individuals receiving treatment from three community mental health centers in 1991 were screened on citizenship, income, clinical, and functional criteria that determine eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Based on information provided by case managers, a complex algorithm identified people who were Possibly Eligible or Probably Not Eligible for SSI. Further, the Possibly Eligible individuals were randomly assigned to either an Experimental or a Control condition. Experimental participants were assigned a project-funded Linkage Worker, who had received training in SSA procedures. The Linkage Workers told the Experimental participants about SSI, encouraged them to apply, and helped to complete application materials, including the identification and transmission of relevant medical records. Results of the study showed that the screening form was valid--the Possibly Eligible individuals were more likely to apply and they were more likely to get SSI, compared with the Probably Not Eligible individuals. Moreover, the intervention was effective. Experimental participants were more likely to apply and more likely to get SSI, compared with Control participants.