Consistency in the disability determination process is important for ensuring accuracy and equity in the provision of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Using SSA administrative data on DI applications, we propose to examine the link between variation in the award rate for subjective and/or psychological conditions over time and across states and Disability Determination Service (DDS) offices. In addition, we propose a novel identification strategy for estimating the labor supply effects of DI that exploits this variation using applications data linked to administrative earnings records.
Does Disability Insurance Receipt Discourage Work? Using Examiner Assignment to Estimate Causal Effects of SSDI Receipt
Nicole Maestas, Kathleen J. Mullen,2012