through March 2003. Participants faced significant barriers to employment, including severe disabilities and limited education … and employment experience. Two-thirds were unemployed when they enrolled. They also participated in many benefit programs …, which creates an additional barrier to employment, because they are likely to have difficulty sorting out the complex work …

Describes the employment services used by participants in 12 of the state projects. The most common service delivered … was benefits counseling, which helps participants understand the effect of employment on an individual’s cash benefits …