Who applies for SSDI? Data from the NHIS Linked SSA files

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides income to workers under age 65 years who have become disabled and can no longer work. The purpose of this study is to identify determinants of SSDI application for use in simulations of SSDI application and acceptance rates as the economy, income supplementation programs, and program eligibility rules change. Identifying which population groups are most likely to apply may allow SSA to effectively target education campaigns about eligibility and the application process.

The 1994-1996 National Health Interview Survey Linked Social Security Administration database has information both on people who apply for SSDI and people with similar characteristics (in this case, respondent-reported limitation in ability to work or other health status measures) who do not apply, including detailed information on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health conditions, access to health care and use of health care services. The characteristics of respondents aged 25-60 years from these linked files who apply for SSDI within 5 years of their NHIS interview are compared with those of respondents who report a work limitation but do not apply. Proportional hazards models are used to examine the associations between socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors, assorted health status and behavior measures, and health insurance and the liklihood of applying for SSDI.