Understanding the Local-Level Predictors of Disability Program Flows: New Adult Awards and Beneficiary Work Activity
Evidence | Publications

Understanding the Local-Level Predictors of Disability Program Flows: New Adult Awards and Beneficiary Work Activity

WP#2021-22
Published: Dec 01, 2021
Publisher: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College
Health Economic Well Being and Income Support Disability Federal
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Associated Project

Retirement and Disability Research Consortium

Time frame: 2018-2029

Prepared for:

Social Security Administration

Authors

Jody Schimmel Hyde

Jonathan Schwabish

Paul O’Leary

Dara Lee Luca

Key Findings
  • There was substantial variation across the county in new benefit awards and the share of beneficiaries that work.
  • There were significant associations between specific demographic subgroups and outcomes at the PUMA level independent of other socioeconomic and health factors.
  • Availability and access to economic opportunity may be important factors in explaining beneficiary outcomes.
  • The availability of health services, particularly the number of physicians, may be associated with both increased benefit awards and better beneficiary work outcomes.

This study examines how local-level factors that are associated with work activity and flows into and out of Social Security Disability Insurance (SI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.

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