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BHBF sought to improve economic self-sufficiency among youth who were receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits through person-centered planning, employment and education services, case management, financial work incentives, work-based experience, and job development.

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BHBF sought to improve economic self-sufficiency among youth who were receivinged Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits through person-centered planning, employment and education services, case management, financial work incentives, work-based experience, and job development.

After an initial assessment, BHBF participants met with a community employment development specialist (CEDS) to set employment goals and plan for the education necessary to achieve these goals. Participants also worked with a benefit specialist who guided them through the supportive services they could access by referral (for example, housing subsidies, tax credits, transportation and child care assistance, and transitional health care through Medicaid) as well as the waivers to SSA program rules provided by BHBF. BHBF included waivers to SSA program rules that increased the amount of earnings disregarded when calculating benefits; decreased the rate benefits were reduced as earnings increased; extended benefits for those in danger of losing them at age 18 or when their case was re-reviewed; and excluded certain financial accounts from asset calculations. Participants next moved into career preparation activities that consisted of resume writing, mock interviews, communication courses, and job fairs. After these career preparation services, BHBF provided work-based experience, such as paid and unpaid on-the-job training and job development, under the supervision of the CEDS. Participants also took part in financial literacy and life-skills courses and received case management throughout the program. Participants were eligible to receive matching funds in individual development accounts (IDAs) to save for expenses related to getting an education, starting a business, and purchasing or repairing a car or home.

Participants could use BHBF services for up to 18 months. Participants received follow-up services for several weeks on average after securing paid employment. Matching funds in IDAs were available for up to two years, and the waivers to SSA program rules were available for up to four years. Youth between the ages of 16 and 22 receiving SSA disability benefits were eligible for BHBF. BHBF was implemented in Miami-Dade County, FL. The evaluation of BHBF also studied Transition Works, another intervention aimed at improving self-sufficiency among youth who received SSA disability benefits.

Year evaluation began: 2008
Implementing organization(s): ServiceSource implemented the intervention in partnership with Human Services Coalition, the YWCA, and Partners for Self-Employment.
Populations and employment barriers: Disability(ies), Young adults (aged 16-24)
Intervention services: Case management, Employment retention services, Financial incentives, Supportive services, Financial education, Soft skills training, Apprenticeships, Unpaid work experience, Work experience, Work readiness activities, Employment coaching, Job search assistance, Job development/job placement
Setting(s): Urban only

Effectiveness Rating and Effect By Outcome Domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2018 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Little evidence to assess support favorable $2,196 per year 0.11 840
Long-term Supported favorable $2,238 per year 0.11 695
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase employment Short-term Supported favorable 1% (in percentage points) 0.03 840
Long-term Little evidence to assess support favorable 0% (in percentage points) 0.00 695
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $3 per year 0.00 850
Long-term Not supported unfavorable $187 per year 0.07 840
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods Little evidence to assess support 0% (in percentage points) 0.00 683
* This intervention was assessed as supported for this domain, meaning it achieved one or more statistically significant, favorable effects. However, the intervention has an average effect size that is unfavorable because the average includes all effects in this domain - both statistically significant and favorable effects and statistically insignificant but unfavorable effects.

Effectiveness rating key:

  • Well-supported Well-supported   
  • Supported  Supported   
  • Not supported  Not supported   
  • Mixed support  Mixed support   
  • Insufficient evidence  Insufficient evidence   
  • No evidence  No evidence
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Studies of this Intervention

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Study Quality Rating Study Counts per Rating
High High 1