Affiliations: [a] Cornell University and University of Melbourne, Ithaca, NY, USA | [b] Social Security Administration, Woodlawn, MD, USA | [c] University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA | [d] Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Richard V. Burkhauser, 259 MVR Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Tel.: +1 607 255 2097; Fax: +1 607 255 4071; E-mail:rvb1@cornell.edu
Abstract: We provide a face validity test of the Department of Health and Human
Services' (HHS) approved minimum six-question sequence (6QS) to capture the
population with disabilities. Using linked 2009 Current Population
Survey/Social Security Administration records data we find that the 6QS
captures 66.3% of those whom administrative records confirm are receiving
disability-based Social Security benefits. Adding a work-activity question
increases our capture rate to 89.3%. We find little difference in the distribution of conditions of those
reporting only a 6QS-based disability and those only reporting a work
activity-based disability. The four function-related questions do a
relatively good job of capturing beneficiaries based on these conditions.
But the work-activity question does a far better job of capturing
beneficiaries than do the two activity-related questions. We conclude that
the 6QS is fundamentally flawed and that any minimum standard for capturing
the population with disabilities must include a work-activity question.
Keywords: Measuring disability populations, function-based measures, activity-based measures, disability prevalence, matched CPS/SSA administrative records data
