Benefit Offset National Demonstration

Atlanta Region:
      Area 1 - Alabama
      Area 2 - South Florida

Boston Region:
      Area 3 - Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and part of Massachusetts

Chicago Region:
      Area 2 - Wisconsin
      Area 3 - Michigan

Dallas Region:
      Area 2 - SE Texas

Denver Region:
      Area 2 - Colorado, and Wyoming New York Region:
      Area 3 - Upper New York State

Philadelphia Region:
      Area 3 - Silver Springs Maryland, DC, Virginia, and West Virginia

San Francisco Region:
      Area 8 - Arizona, and S. California

FY 2010

Summary

The purpose of the Benefit Offset projects is to determine the effect of various interventions, in combination with a benefit offset, on employment outcomes including wages, benefits, hours worked, and job retention. In the benefit offset demonstration, SSA will test a $1 reduction in benefits for every $2 in earnings over substantial gainful activity (SGA) levels, in combination with benefits counseling, with the goal of helping beneficiaries with disabilities return to work. The project will allow beneficiaries to face this gradual reduction in their benefits, eliminating the abrupt loss of cash benefits in the SSDI disability program when a beneficiary works and has earnings over a specific amount. Participants will maintain ongoing eligibility for health care benefits and other supports linked to SSDI eligibility.

Detailed Description

View the Detailed Description of the Demonstration online.
Print out a Detailed Factsheet.

Related Links

Benefit Offset Four-State Pilot

On September 7, 2004, SSA notified Congress of its intent to conduct the national demonstration project. We awarded the contract for the national study program design to Abt Associates on September 30, 2004. In September 2008, SSA concluded the design contract with Abt Associates. We expect to award the contract for the implementation and evaluation of the project in 2009.