Access and Obstacles: Policy in Practice for Individuals with Disabilities

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

Navigating public benefits is complicated and may be even more so for people living with disabilities, particularly in situations where program eligibility requires complex determinations. Understanding how individuals with disabilities and their families experience programs and policies--including navigating eligibility and the application process—is crucial for understanding inequities in program outcomes.  This panel brings together three papers that explore the challenges faced by families and individuals with disabilities in accessing critical benefits, both disability-specific benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA)  (i.e., SSDI benefits and SSI payments) and SNAP benefits. The three papers use diverse methods and focus on experiences of different populations of interest--including children, adults, and veterans--to examine individuals’ perspectives of policy efficacy with a focus on administrative burden. 

The first paper uses a mixed methods approach to explore family experiences applying for SSI for a child with a disability. Combining administrative data and in-depth interviews, the authors find variation in receipt and experiences in applying for SSI and offer insight into the role of administrative burden and  potential barriers for families during the application process. Likewise, the second paper draws on interviews with SSDI and SSI recipients and attorneys to describe experiences with the disability appeals process. Findings provide context for administrative burden in the appeals process and offer insights into opportunities for crafting more effective policy. Finally, the last paper in the panel broadens the scope of benefits outside of SSA to consider administrative burden in cross-program participation for veterans with disabilities. 

Taken together, the papers in this panel offer a nuanced understanding of how individuals with disabilities experience public programs, particularly navigating sometimes-complex application and eligibility processes. Understanding these perspectives is crucial to effective collaboration across levels of policymaking to design and implement effective policies. This panel will also benefit from the expertise and insights of Dr. Priyanka Anand who has extensive experience studying disability policy and safety net programs

Policy Area

• Poverty and Income Policy

Secondary Policy Area

• Health Policy

Chair

• Jonathan Schwabish, Urban Institute

Discussant

• Priyanka Anand, George Mason University

Individual Presentations

• Family Experiences Applying for SSI Children’s Benefits - Presenting Author: Molly A Costanzo, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Lisa Klein Vogel, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• The Impact of the 2013 SNAP Reduction on Service-Disabled Veterans - Non-Presenting Co-Author: Philip Armour, RAND School of Public Policy; Presenting Author: Catria Gadwah-Meaden, RAND School of Public Policy; Non-Presenting Co-Author: LeeAnn Stevens, RAND School of Public Policy

• Effect of Unemployment Shock at Older Ages on Food Insecurity. - Presenting Author: Ehsan Mohaghegh Dowlatabadi, Syracuse University

Organizer

• Molly A Costanzo, University of Wisconsin-Madison