Social Security program communications

Community-engaged Research into the Barriers and Communication Preferences of Rural Populations

• January 30, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• benefit claiming, Disparities, Social Security, Social Security program communications

This qualitative research project will use in-depth interviews of rural residents to understand: a) service-related barriers to seeking government benefits in rural areas and communication preferences among rural residents; b) how service-related barriers and communication preferences vary by race/ethnicity, educational…

Disparities in Social Security Knowledge and the Role of Social Capital

• January 15, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disparities, Social Security program communications

Understanding the Social Security Communication Needs of Hispanics with Limited English Language Proficiency

• January 9, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disparities, Social Security program communications

Mixed-method Study on Information, Communications, and Access to Government Benefits among Rural Populations

• January 9, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disability insurance, Disparities, Social Security, Social Security program communications, Supplemental Security Income

The Impact of Affordable and Accessible Broadband on SSDI and SSI Participation

• January 9, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disability insurance, Social Security program communications, Supplemental Security Income

Understanding the Social Security Communication Needs of Hispanics with Limited English Language Proficiency

• January 4, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disparities, Social Security program communications

Although the Social Security Administration already provides information to the general public in Spanish, these efforts could be further bolstered by a better understanding of how best to reach the more than 20 million individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).…

Mixed-method Study on Information, Communications, and Access to Government Benefits among Rural Populations

• January 4, 2024
• Susan Barnes
• Disability insurance, Disparities, Social Security, Social Security program communications, Supplemental Security Income

Rural communities face specific challenges to accessing information about government safety net programs that can provide essential assistance to reduce urban-rural inequalities and contribute to the rural economy. This mixed-methods study examines these challenges, and preferred methods for outreach efforts…

The Impact of Affordable and Accessible Broadband on SSDI and SSI Participation

• December 21, 2023
• Susan Barnes
• Disability insurance, Social Security program communications, Supplemental Security Income

Online access to government services and benefits has become increasingly prevalent, but a substantial portion of low-income, disabled individuals live without a home broadband connection. We study how the launch of a large-scale broadband subsidy program affected participation in the…

Barriers and Communications Preferences of Rural Populations: A Scoping Review

• September 13, 2023
• Susan Barnes
• Disparities, Social Security program communications

Enrollment in federal and state government programs is substantially lower for some eligible demographic subpopulations, particularly persons living in rural areas. Barriers faced when seeking program benefits may, in part, explain such differences in enrollment. The purpose of this paper…

Disparities in Social Security Knowledge and the Role of Social Capital

• May 25, 2023
• Susan Barnes
• Disparities, Social Security program communications

In this paper, we develop a new survey that seeks to better understand how differences in information sources (both formal and informal) across racial and ethnic groups contribute to knowledge and planning for retirement. We consider several scenarios where people…