Editing Supplemental Security Income (section)

==Improving outcomes for disabled youth==
Disabled youth transitioning to adulthood have been a focus of policymakers. Upon turning 18, a child's disability is re-evaluated using SSA's definition of disability for adults. In about one-third of the cases, SSI benefits are terminated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18|url=https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11005.pdf|website=www.ssa.gov}}</ref> Policymakers have been concerned that these youth, who have a history of health problems, are unprepared to support themselves in adulthood. As a result, Congress has created special provisions in the law and funded large-scale research studies to test ways to improve outcomes for youth on SSI. In addition, federal agencies have made some attempts to improve outcomes through better practices.

A special provision of the Social Security Act, called Section 301, allows disabled youth to retain benefits at age 18 so long as they are working in an approved program to prepare for employment in adulthood. For example, youth participating in programs run by state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies may continue to receive benefits even if they do not meet the adult disability definition. Because many families are unaware of the protections under Section 301, SSA began mailing information to families with disabled youth to inform them of this provision and provide other information to help youth successfully transition to adulthood.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Helping Young People with Disabilities Successfully Transition to Adulthood|url=https://blog.ssa.gov/helping-young-people-with-disabilities-successfully-transition-to-adulthood/|website=www.ssa.gov|date=8 September 2016 }}</ref>

Congress has funded two large-scale studies to test ways to improve outcomes among disabled youth on SSI. The Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) tested service and other interventions in several states. Findings from the demonstration were mixed, with some interventions improving outcomes (employment, lower contact with the juvenile justice system) and some interventions not having statistically significant effects.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Final Report on the Youth Transition Demonstration Evaluation|url=https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/documents/YTD%20Final%20Report%20508%20Compliant%2012-29-2014.pdf|website=www.ssa.gov}}</ref> YTD was followed by the Promoting Readiness in Minors in SSI (PROMISE) demonstration. Interim impact results found positive employment and other outcomes from "case management, employment-promoting services, benefits counseling, financial education, and parent training and information about youth’s disability."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Promoting Readiness of Minors in SSI (PROMISE) Evaluation: Interim Services and Impact Report|url=https://www.mathematica.org/publications/es-promoting-readiness-of-minors-in-ssi-promise-evaluation-interim-services-and-impact-report|website=www.mathematica.org}}</ref>