SSA's Disability Demonstration Projects Likely to Provide Important Information About Disability Work Incentives

Publication Date: August 2004

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Eileen Sweeney

Research Area: Banking and finance

Keywords: Fiscal future; Economic projections; Disabilities; Retirement

Type: Report

Abstract:

Work underway, or scheduled to begin within the next year, on a number of demonstration projects at the Social Security Administration should help to inform discussions about possible changes and improvements in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs. These projects will test what steps can be taken to assist applicants and recipients with disabilities who wish to attempt to return to work.

This analysis describes these projects in order to provide a better understanding of the range of work now underway. In addition, Appendix 1 provides a chart with basic information about each of the demonstration projects. As will be evident in the discussion that follows, more detail is available about some of the projects than about others, as some are further along in development. This information will be updated as additional details become available. Later analyses will review information about outcomes and evaluations associated with these projects.