The Experiences and Challenges Facing Adolescent SSI Recipients with Mental Disorders

Background and Purpose: Given the role of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in providing financial support to transition age youth with disabilities, and in light of increasing political effort to replace cash benefits with in-kind supports, it is critical that we understand the experiences and needs of young SSI recipients before they exit high school. This study uses new data from the 2012 National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2012) to examine the challenges facing young SSI recipients in special education during the years preceding high school exit.

Methods: We limited our study to 7,900 adolescents, ages 13 to 23 years, that received special education services under one of the following three disability categories: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) or emotional disturbances (ED). We chose these disabilities because they are high-incidence impairment categories among child SSI recipients. We first used descriptive analysis to generate national point estimates across several domains including individual and family characteristics, receipt of public benefits (such as TANF and food stamps) and employment training and experiences. Then, we employed tests of significance to examine differences between adolescents that did and did not receive SSI benefits. 

Results:  The combined sample of SSI recipients included 3,150 students, or 40% of the eligible sample population. Roughly 30% of adolescents with ASD,  52% adolescents with ID and 34% adolescents with ED received SSI. SSI recipients had lower self-reported health, poorer communication skills and lower household income relative to their peers that did not receive SSI. Adolescents that received SSI had higher odds of receiving government assisted health care than the non-SSI group (OR=1.6, p<.001) but lower odds of being covered by any health insurance (OR=0.93 p<.001). 30% of SSI recipients had paid work experience during high school. 

Conclusion and Implications: SSI recipients may be especially vulnerable during the transition into adulthood due to economic disadvantage, health-related challenges and low rates of employment training in high school. Future research should examine how these factors influence later outcomes and identify strategies that promote an optimal transition into adulthood.