Federal officials are looking for ideas to help improve outcomes for young people with disabilities as they enter adulthood.

The Social Security Administration said this month that it wants to encourage brighter economic futures for transition-age youth with disabilities. And, the agency is asking the public to weigh in.

In a Federal Register notice, the agency said it is seeking input on strategies for those ages 14 to 25 who receive Supplemental Security Income.

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“While studies have shown that transition-age SSI recipients are at risk of poor economic outcomes — lower earnings and employment — when they become adults, it is not clear what supports could improve these outcomes or who should provide them,” Social Security officials wrote in the notice. “Understanding that SSI is only one part of the social safety net of programs intended to support individuals, SSA is interested in playing an appropriate role supporting broader federal, state and local efforts to improve the adult outcomes of youth SSI recipients.”

As of 2016, more than 9 million individuals were receiving monthly SSI payments and about 11 percent of them were considered to be transition age, according to Social Security.

Specifically, the agency is asking for ideas about programs that have shown promise in improving economic outcomes for those with disabilities, recommendations on how Social Security can assist youth in transition and what the agency can do to support other federal entities in the process.

Feedback may help inform new policies and demonstration programs, the notice said.

The move to obtain input from the public is part of a broader effort from Social Security to address the needs of transition-age beneficiaries. In addition, the agency said it has started sending brochures to SSI recipients ahead of their 18th birthdays with information about resources for those entering adulthood, among other steps.

Comments will be accepted through February 2.

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