Social Security Administration Disability Enrollment in a Community-Based Coordinated Specialty Care Program

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Amplify OnTrackNY publication summaries summarize peer-reviewed publications focused on quality improvement or research conducted to help us learn & improve the program.

Study snapshot

OnTrackNY aims to help participants achieve their goals in work and school and to prevent disability. The program also helps participants access support systems and the resources they need. This study explores the use of federal disability benefits by participants over time and the factors associated with obtaining these benefits.¹  

This study asks:

1. How many participants obtained Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits at the time they enrolled in OnTrackNY?
2. How many participants would apply to obtain benefits during their enrollment in OnTrackNY?
3. What factors are associated with obtaining federal benefits?

Study participants & data

This study is based on a diverse sample of 679 OnTrackNY participants enrolled over a four-year period (from October 2013 to June 2017). Data used are collected from team member reports on disability benefits obtained by participants upon admission to the program and every three months. 

Study findings

Finding 1. At OnTrackNY enrollment, 3% of participants were receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

Finding 2. By the completion of the OnTrackNY program (about 2 years), 18% of participants obtain disability benefits.

Finding 3. Individuals with a lower ability to maintain relationships and perform duties related to school and work were more likely to obtain SSA benefits. Age, gender, race, ethnicity, and symptoms were not associated with applying to obtain benefits.

Final thoughts

This study found that individuals with less ability to maintain relationships and perform tasks related to school and work, were more likely to obtain disability benefits.

Programs like OnTrackNY should prioritize helping participants pursue meaningful work and education to help them achieve their goals.

References

1. Humensky J, Scodes J, Wall M, Malinovsky I, Marino L, Smith T, Sederer L, Nossel I, Bello I, Dixon L. Disability enrollment in a community-based coordinated specialty care program. Am J Psychiatry 174(12):1224-1225, 2017. PubMed PMID: 29191038; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5839472. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.1707075.
 

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