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335791
Examining the Variation in Social Security Disability Program Participation across States


Sunday, November 1, 2015

John Gettens, PhD, Disability, Health and Employment Policy Unit, Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Alexis Henry, ScD, OTR/L, Disability, Health and Employment Policy Unit, Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Pei-Pei Lei, M.A., Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA
Background: There is wide variation in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) participation across states among working-age individuals.  There is limited understanding of this and the explanations likely exist at the person, local and state levels. There is no prior research on the local-level explanations, for example, variation in local area poverty, employment, or disability prevalence.  

Methods: Using 2009-2011 American Community Survey data, we describe the variation in SSI and SSDI participation across local areas and use local-level and person-level (e.g. age, education, race) factors to account for the variation in SSI and SSDI participation across states. Local areas were defined by Public Use Micro Areas (PUMAs), geographically contiguous areas of approximately 100,000 persons.  Regression techniques were used.  Thematic maps were constructed.

Results:  Estimated SSI participation rates range from 13.4% to 0.4% across PUMA (mean = 2.9%, SD =1.8 ).  SSDI participation rates range from 16.2% to 0.7% (mean 4.0%, SD=2.0).  A substantial portion of the variation SSI and SSDI participation is explained by variation in disability prevalence.   Disability prevalence and SSI and SSDI participation rates are highly correlated (r =.82; .88.).  Preliminary results indicate that among persons with disabilities, approximately ½ of the variation in SSI participation and 1/3 of the variation in SSDI participation across states is accounted for person-level or local area-level factors.

Conclusion:  Variation in person-level and local area-level factors account for a substantial portion of the variation in SSI and SSDI participation across states.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the variation in disability program participation across geographic areas

Keyword(s): Disabilities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked on analyses of disability and healthcare policies and the effects of these programs. I conduct research on public health, healthcare and the employment of persons with disabilities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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