United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-07-13 monographic deposited born digital 32 p. GA 1.13:T-HEHS-00-151 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151 P0b002ee180396d58 f:he00151t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151 T-HEHS-00-151 Disability benefits Program graduation Federal social security programs Employees with disabilities Cost control Disability insurance Private sector practices Foreign governments Vocational rehabilitation Eligibility determinations Supplemental Security Income Program Social Security Disability Insurance Program Germany Sweden Netherlands SSI Testimony HEHS Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed how disability systems in the private sector and other countries encourage and facilitate return to work in three key areas: (1) the eligibility assessment process; (2) work incentives; and (3) staffing practices.<p/>GAO noted that: (1) the disability systems of the private insurers and the countries GAO reviewed integrate return-to-work considerations early after disability onset and throughout the eligibility assessment process; (2) this involves both determining--as well as enhancing--the ability of each claimant to return to work; (3) these systems provide incentives for claimants to take part in vocational rehabilitation programs and to obtain appropriate medical treatment and for employers to provide work opportunities for claimants; (4) managers of these other systems also explained to GAO that they have developed techniques--such as separating claims--to use staff with the appropriate expertise to provide return-to-work assistance to claimants in a cost-effective manner; (5) although these practices are common to the private sector insurers and the countries whose systems GAO examined, limited data exist on the cost-effectiveness of these approaches; (6) Social Security Administration may face greater difficulty in returning some of its beneficiaries to work than the private sector insurers, since Disability Insurance (DI) covers a broader population than the private insurers; (7) nevertheless, opportunities exist to help disabled workers remain at or return to the work place; (8) in recognition of these opportunities, SSA has recently begun placing greater priority on returning beneficiaries to work; (9) moreover, the new Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, by expanding access to vocational rehabilitation services, is expected to enhance work incentives for people with disabilities; (10) however, fundamental policy weaknesses in the DI program remain unchanged; and (11) as GAO has reported in the past, these weaknesses include an eligibility determination process that concentrates on applicants' incapacities, an all-or-nothing benefits structure, and return-to-work services offered only after a lengthy determination process. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151/html/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151/pdf/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151.pdf GAO/T-HEHS-00-151 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-00-151 Testimony GAO/T-HEHS-00-151; SSA Disability: Other Programs May Provide Lessons for; Disability benefits Program graduation Federal social security programs Employees with disabilities Cost control Disability insurance Private sector practices Foreign governments Vocational rehabilitation Eligibility determinations Supplemental Security Income Program Social Security Disability Insurance Program Germany Sweden Netherlands SSI