Mortality among SSDI Applicants: Data from the NHIS/SSA Linked Files

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides income to eligible workers under age 65 years who have become disabled and can no longer work. This study compares the mortality experience of persons with self-reported work limitations who apply for SSDI with that of those who do not apply. The mortality risk of racial-ethnic subgroups is examined to determine whether it varies by SSDI application status. Mortality risk may be one measure of the severity of conditions causing the work limitation, thus, we investigate whether people with work limitation who apply for SSDI are more likely to die within a defined period than those who do not apply. Identification of population groups at greater risk of mortality 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 on people with work limitations who apply for SSDI and people with limitations who do not apply. The mortality experience of respondents aged 25-60 years from these linked files who report a work limitation and apply for SSDI within 5 years of their NHIS interview is compared with that of respondents who report a work limitation but do not apply. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method and proportional hazards models are used to examine the mortality experience of the groups. The impact of socioeconomic factors, health status and health care access measures, and health insurance on the probability of application and mortality risk is assessed.