Striking While the Iron is Hot: The Effect of Vocational Rehabilitation Service Wait Times on Employment Outcomes for Applicants Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies play a significant role in supporting the employment goals of people with disabilities, but delays in the receipt of vocational services could adversely affect employment outcomes of applicants for services. This study explores the effect of waiting for VR services on employment outcomes for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. Using multivariate models based on agency order of selection characteristics and a measure of the usual wait time for VR services, the study found that longer wait times are associated with lower employment outcomes at VR closure and throughout SSA administrative data.