NB24-04: Barriers to SSDI and SSI for Applicants with Mental Impairments
Why has program participation in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) declined in recent years? What barriers do applicants encounter in the process of applying for SSDI/SSI benefits? Are there changes to Social Security Administration (SSA) procedures that can reduce these barriers and improve access to SSDI/SSI benefits? I propose a mixed-methods qualitative project to better understand the experiences of individuals who apply for SSDI/SSI primarily due to mental impairments. These applicants form one of the largest subgroups of SSDI and SSI beneficiaries, but applications based on mental impairments are difficult to adjudicate due to their reliance on self-reported symptoms (Goldman, Frey, and Riley 2019). They also face unique challenges in accessing benefits due to their mental health conditions (Danziger et al. 2009), and a higher likelihood of being part of a marginalized group linked to race, gender, and socioeconomic status (Harden and Slopen 2022; Russel and Fish 2016; Schnittker and McLeod 2005). To identify barriers in equitable access to SSDI and SSI benefits for individuals with mental impairments and potential program improvements, I will combine an analysis of in-depth qualitative interviews with applicants, Disability Determination Services (DDS) staff, and administrative law judges (ALJs) with ethnographic observations of field and hearing offices. The project will include the following steps:
● Write literature review.
● Meet with SSA experts to maximize usefulness of the project to the agency and refine research design.
● Conduct field work, including in-depth interviews and ethnographic observations.
● Transcribe interviews.
● Qualitatively code and analyze transcripts and field notes.
● Draft final paper and non-technical report.
This is the first step in a multi-year project that may also include analyses of administrative records and community-based research.
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Supported by the Social Security Administration
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