JTO Direct - Weekly News Edition
7/26/03
Report: Removing Addicts SSI Benefits a Failure
Research into the ramifications of removing addicted individuals from a federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in 1996 shows that most individuals have not returned to work as originally projected, the Associated Press reported July 21.
The Drug Addiction and Alcohol program under SSI provided low-income, addicted people with about $500 a month, plus health benefits through Medicaid, if they were receiving treatment.
An estimated 170,000 people were enrolled nationally in the program before the U.S. Congress terminated the benefit as part of an overhaul of the country's welfare system.
"There was widespread observation in Congress that when benefits were terminated, people would go back to work," said Jim Baumohl of Bryn Mawr College, one of the researchers who examined the impact of the policy change.
The study, conducted over two years, included interviews with about 2,000 people in nine cities and counties who had their benefits terminated. The research showed that 37 percent of the study's participants re-qualified for SSI by proving that they had other disabilities, while another 27 percent replaced at least half of the money lost through other welfare programs, wages, or help from family and friends.
Those who lost the benefits and were unable to replace them were 60 to 70 percent more likely to suffer material hardships. Furthermore, people were less likely to receive treatment once the Drug Addiction and Alcohol program ended.
The research was led by Jean Norris of the Public Health Institute in California. The study's findings are published in the July 21 online journal Contemporary Drug Problems.
7/26/03
Report: Removing Addicts SSI Benefits a Failure
Research into the ramifications of removing addicted individuals from a federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in 1996 shows that most individuals have not returned to work as originally projected, the Associated Press reported July 21.
The Drug Addiction and Alcohol program under SSI provided low-income, addicted people with about $500 a month, plus health benefits through Medicaid, if they were receiving treatment.
An estimated 170,000 people were enrolled nationally in the program before the U.S. Congress terminated the benefit as part of an overhaul of the country's welfare system.
"There was widespread observation in Congress that when benefits were terminated, people would go back to work," said Jim Baumohl of Bryn Mawr College, one of the researchers who examined the impact of the policy change.
The study, conducted over two years, included interviews with about 2,000 people in nine cities and counties who had their benefits terminated. The research showed that 37 percent of the study's participants re-qualified for SSI by proving that they had other disabilities, while another 27 percent replaced at least half of the money lost through other welfare programs, wages, or help from family and friends.
Those who lost the benefits and were unable to replace them were 60 to 70 percent more likely to suffer material hardships. Furthermore, people were less likely to receive treatment once the Drug Addiction and Alcohol program ended.
The research was led by Jean Norris of the Public Health Institute in California. The study's findings are published in the July 21 online journal Contemporary Drug Problems.
Comments
Post a Comment
Kritik yang membangun akan membantu di masa yang akan datang 😁😁😁