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Public Knowledge About the Social Security Administration’s DisaSAbility Programs: Findings from the Understanding America Study
General Information
Title
Public Knowledge About the Social Security Administration’s DisaSAbility Programs: Findings from the Understanding America Study
Author
Matt Messel, Tokunbo B. Oluwole, and David Rogofsky
Publication Type
Journal paper
Outlet
Social Security Bulletin
Year
2022
Abstract
In this article, we examine public awareness of the disability benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Using 2021 survey results from the nationally representative panel of Understanding America Study respondents, we explore public knowledge of various aspects of the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. We present descriptive statistics that highlight different levels of program knowledge from one program aspect to another as well as across respondent characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, income, and presence of a long-term disabling condition. Program aspects covered in the survey questions include financial and medical eligibility for program benefits, application and disability determination procedures, and typical processing times and benefit amounts. Our findings may enable SSA and other stakeholders who work with people with disabilities to target informational outreach to groups with lower current levels of program knowledge.