12-month Impacts of Early Intervention for Workers With Injuries and Illnesses: Findings from the RETAIN Demonstration

• In Event: The Disability Employment Gap: New Evidence from Investigations of Barriers and Interventions

Abstract

This study examines the 12-month impacts of the Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) demonstration. RETAIN is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration (SSA), aiming to help workers remain in the workforce following injury or illness. Five states randomly assigned over 12,000 workers with recent injuries or illnesses into treatment and control groups. Each treatment group received early intervention services designed to facilitate workplace retention or return.

Findings from an early follow-up survey indicate that enrollees in the treatment group used significantly more care coordination and employment support services compared to the control group. This study presents 12-month impacts of RETAIN. Our analysis evaluates whether RETAIN programs improved participants' labor market outcomes and reduced applications to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We measured outcomes at 12 months post-enrollment using both survey and administrative data, including quarterly earnings records and SSA’s disability program administrative records.

We also develop a predictive model, using baseline information on control group enrollees, to distinguish between enrollees who are more and less likely to return to work without RETAIN supports, and to examine how impact estimates differ between these two groups.

If effective, early intervention programs like RETAIN can help workers stay employed after they experience an injury or illness, maintaining their income and well-being while reducing government spending on public assistance.

Authors

• Ankita Patnaik, Mathematica
  Non-Presenting Co-Author

• Jillian Berk, Mathematica
  Presenting Author