Affiliations: Program for Disability Research, Rutgers, the State
University of New Jersey, 303 George Street, Suite 405, New Brunswick, NJ
08901, USA. Tel.: +1 732 932 4167; Fax: +1 732 932 1894; E-mail:
toddh@rci.rutgers.edu
Abstract: Understanding the program, benefit, and income paths that persons
access before they obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) could
provide a crucial perspective in the ability to identify ways to reduce the
inflow to the program. For this study, we used data from public surveys
combined with information from the Social Security Administration to examine
benefits and incomes used by DI beneficiaries. Program participation among DI
beneficiaries before they obtained DI and the relative risk in moving to DI
from a particular benefit was analyzed. A large proportion of DI beneficiaries
received workers' compensation benefits, employer disability benefits,
retirement income, and food stamps before obtaining DI, or they lacked health
insurance or were covered through Medicaid. Persons involved with employer
disability benefits, personal disability insurance, government employee
disability benefits, and, for men, Medicaid and public assistance, had the
highest risks of obtaining DI. Targeting specific programs with projects and
interventions involving employment and health care for individuals at-risk of
obtaining DI could reduce the need to apply for DI benefits.
Keywords: Social Security Disability Insurance, disability income, public assistance, health insurance
