Neighborhood Characteristics, Disablement, and Disability Applications and Awards

• In Event: New Trends in Disability, Work, and Federal Disability Programs

Abstract

Although disability determination is based on criteria that pertain to individuals, where people live is not random, and there is growing research linking place of residence with health outcomes. Yet, place characteristics have received only limited attention in prior studies of disability applications and awards. This paper fills this gap using restricted data from the 2000-2018 Health and Retirement Study, matched with data from the National Neighborhood Data Archive, to assess the link of various place-specific factors with SSDI/SSI applications and awards. We restrict the sample to those younger than the full retirement age, who comprise about half of the full sample, to capture those who would most likely apply for disability benefits. We utilize factor analysis to identify multiple latent measures that summarize well the key domains of neighborhood characteristics relevant for our research question and fit the Heckman selection model for a binary outcome, that is, a probit model with sample selection. Our results highlight the extent to which the context of one’s place affects the likelihood of applying for and receiving SSDI/SSI benefits, and the extent to which different groups are differentially exposed to risks of disability applications and receipts.

Author

• Stipica Mudrazija, University of Washington
  Presenting Author