[Life situations and needs of people at high risk of permanent work disability]

The risk index for permanent work disability (RI-EMR) can be used to identify insured persons with a high likelihood of receiving a disability pension in the next five years. To tailor more precisely proactive outreach as well as support services to these people, the study aimed to explore their specific problems and needs, and cluster them to typical case constellations.Interviews were conducted with 50 insured persons with a high RI-EMR score (≥60). Recruitment and sampling were carried out using a letter and a short questionnaire. The analysis followed a mix of sequential-narrative and category-based approach, supplemented by a systematic-contrastive case comparison. Subsequently, it was examined whether the identified case types could be found in the administrative data of the German Pension Insurance (GPI).We identified 6 case constellations that differed in terms of their illness and employment biographies and remaining earning capacity, leading to different support needs. These ranged from information, counselling, and application support regarding specific rehabilitation services, to case management, as well as the initiation of a participation plan procedure and transition support into a (permanent) work disability or (premature) old age pension. The case types could be found in the administrative data of the GPI, so that statements about their approximate proportions in the overall population could be made.Within the group of insured individuals with a high RI-EMR, types of different problems and needs can be described, and identified by using routine data. This provides concrete hints for tailored outreach and support for the target group.