RETAINWORKS Impact Evaluation

Launched by MATHEMATICA POLICY RESEARCH, INC. · Dec 20, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The RETAINWORKS Impact Evaluation is a study aimed at helping people who have injuries or illnesses that make it hard for them to keep working. This program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration, and it focuses on providing support to those who may be at risk of losing their jobs and needing disability benefits in the future. Participants will receive a variety of services, including medical support and help with staying at work or returning to work after an injury or illness.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be between 18 and 65 years old, currently employed or looking for work, and living or working in Kansas. They should have a work disability, which means their health issue is affecting their ability to work in some way, whether it’s attending work, performing their duties, or being productive. Importantly, individuals who are already receiving disability benefits are not eligible for this trial. Those who join can expect to be part of a program that aims to improve their work situation and help them maintain their employment while also contributing to research that will benefit others in similar situations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• • Has a work disability. Work disability is defined as an injury, illness, or medical condition that has the potential to inhibit or prevent continued employment or labor force participation. Work disability exists when an employee is not able to perform their usual work as a result of a health problem
• * The work disability (i.e., illness, injury, or medical condition) must impact the participant's employment in one or more of the following ways:
• • 1. Participant's ability to attend work;
• • 2. Participant's ability to perform work duties;
• • 3. Participant's work performance/productivity
• * The condition must be a new condition or an exacerbation of a chronic condition that falls into one or more of the following categories:
• • 1. Musculoskeletal injuries;
• • 2. Mental health disorders;
• • 3. Chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - this list is not all-inclusive;
• • 4. Other newly diagnosed illnesses or injuries that affect the individual's employment
• • The condition may be acquired from or attributed to either on-the-job (occupational-related) or off-the-job (non-occupational-related) factors
• * The participant must meet all the following criteria:
• • 1. Be between the ages of 18 and 65 years;
• • 2. Be currently employed or seeking employment;
• • 3. Either live or work in Kansas;
• • 4. Have a valid social security number;
• • 5. Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • May NOT have application for SSDI or SSI benefits pending or already receiving such benefits at the onset of the injury or illness