Annual Report 

of the

Supplemental

 Security

 Income Program

Social Security Administration

2013
.
SOCIAL SECURITY

The Commissioner

June 20, 2013

President Barack H. Obama

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President: 

It is my pleasure to submit to you the 2013 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income

Program (the 17th such report). We prepare this report in compliance with section 231 of the

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

I am also sending this report to Vice President Biden and Congressman Boehner. If you have

any questions regarding this report, your staff may contact Scott Frey, our Deputy

Commissioner for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, at (202) 358-6030 or at

Scott.Frey@ssa.gov.

Sincerely,

Carolyn W. Colvin

Acting Commissioner

Enclosure

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BALTIMORE MD 21235-0001
.
SOCIAL SECURITY

The Commissioner

June 20, 2013

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. President: 

It is my pleasure to submit to you the 2013 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income

Program (the 17th such report). We prepare this report in compliance with section 231 of the

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

I am also sending this report to President Obama and Congressman Boehner. If you have any

questions regarding this report, your staff may contact Scott Frey, our Deputy Commissioner for

Legislation and Congressional Affairs, at (202) 358-6030 or at Scott.Frey@ssa.gov.

Sincerely,

Carolyn W. Colvin

Acting Commissioner

Enclosure

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BALTIMORE MD 21235-0001
.
SOCIAL SECURITY

The Commissioner

June 20, 2013

The Honorable John A. Boehner

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker: 

It is my pleasure to submit to you the 2013 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income

Program (the 17th such report). We prepare this report in compliance with section 231 of the

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

I am also sending this report to President Obama and Vice President Biden. If you have any

questions regarding this report, your staff may contact Scott Frey, our Deputy Commissioner for

Legislation and Congressional Affairs, at (202) 358-6030 or at Scott.Frey@ssa.gov.

Sincerely,

Carolyn W. Colvin

Acting Commissioner

Enclosure

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BALTIMORE MD 21235-0001
.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193)

directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report annually to the President and to the Congress on

the status of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Projections of program recipients and costs

through at least 25 years are a required element of these reports. This report is the 17th of such reports. 

Highlights of the SSI Program

 • The SSI program is a nationwide Federal assistance program administered by SSA that guarantees a

minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. It acts as a safety net for

individuals who have limited resources and little or no Social Security or other income.

 • In January 2013, 8.1 million individuals

received monthly Federal SSI payments averaging $507, up from 7.9 million recipients

with an average payment of $497 in January

2012.

 • Federal expenditures for cash payments under

the SSI program during calendar year 2012

increased 5.4 percent to $51.7 billion, while

the funds made available to administer the SSI

program in fiscal year 2012 decreased 1.2 percent to $3.9 billion. In 2011, the corresponding

program and administrative expenditures were

$49.0 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively.

Major Findings of the Report

 • By 2037, the end of the 25-year projection period, we estimate that the Federal SSI recipient population will reach 9.4 million. The number of SSI program recipients is projected to grow slightly faster

than the U.S. population over the next few years reflecting the still-elevated unemployment rates during the remainder of the recovery from the recent economic downturn. Over the remainder of the 25-

year projection period, the growth in the SSI recipient population is projected to be somewhat slower

than the growth in the overall U.S. population.

 • As a percentage of the total U.S. population, the number of Federal SSI recipients increased slightly

from 2.47 percent in 2011 to 2.51 percent in 2012. We project this percentage to rise very slightly to

2.53 percent over the next few years before beginning a gradual decline over the remainder of the 25-

year projection period reaching 2.42 percent of the population in 2037.

 • We estimate that Federal expenditures for SSI payments in calendar year 2013 will increase by $1.9

billion to $53.6 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent from 2012 levels.

 • In dollars adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2013 levels, we project that Federal expenditures for SSI payments will increase to $61.5 billion in 2037, a real increase of 0.6 percent per year.

 • Federal SSI expenditures expressed as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were 0.33

in 2012. We project that expenditures as a percentage of GDP will remain at 0.33 percent of GDP in

2013, and decline thereafter to 0.23 percent of GDP by 2037.

Aged 

9.5% 

Disabled 

under 18 

19.1% 

Disabled 

18-64 

62.9% 

Disabled 65 

or older 

8.5% 

 SSI Federal Payments, Calendar Year 2012 

$51.7 billion

(XI)

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

II. HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A. RECENT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

B. SSI LEGISLATION SINCE THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

C. CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE SSI PROGRAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

D. KEY RESULTS FROM THE 25-YEAR PROJECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

III. THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

A. BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

B. THE BASIC PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

C. UNIFORM STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVE CRITERIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

D. ASSISTANCE OF LAST RESORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1. Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2. Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3. Filing for Other Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4. Eligibility Issues for Residents of Public Institutions or Medical Treatment Facilities. . . . 11

5. Personal Needs Allowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6. Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

a. Spouse-to-Spouse Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

b. Parent-to-Child Deeming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

c. Sponsor-to-Alien Deeming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION . . . . . . . . . 13

1. Earned Income Exclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2. Impairment-Related Work Expense Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3. Work Expenses of the Blind Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4. Student Earned Income Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5. Plan to Achieve Self-Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6. Special Provisions for Disabled Recipients Who Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

8. Expedited Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

F. ADMINISTRATION OF THE SSI PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1. Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2. Determination of Eligibility for Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3. Payment of Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4. Ensuring Continued Eligibility for Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

5. Representative Payees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

6. Appeal Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7. Fees for Attorneys and Non-attorney Representatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8. Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

a. Emergency Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

b. Presumptive Disability or Blindness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

G. STATE SUPPLEMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

1. Optional State Supplementation Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

2. Mandatory State Supplementation Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3. Administration of State Supplementation Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

4. Passalong Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
(XII)

H. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

1. Windfall Offset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2. Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3. Medicaid Determinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4. SNAP Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

IV. ESTIMATES OF PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM, 2013-37 . . . . . . . . . 25

A. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

B. NUMBERS OF SSI PROGRAM RECIPIENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

C. FEDERAL PAYMENTS UNDER SSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

D. FEDERAL SSI PAYMENTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT . . 50

E. THE SSI PROGRAM’S SHARE OF SSA’S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS 

AND BENEFICIARY SERVICES COSTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

V. APPENDICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

A. HISTORY OF PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

2. Other Eligibility Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

a. Citizenship and U.S. Residency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

b. Other Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

c. Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

d. Institutionalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

e. Vocational Rehabilitation and Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

f. Continuing Disability Reviews and Eligibility Redeterminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

g. Deeming of Income and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

3. Federal Benefit Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

a. Windfall Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

b. Proration of Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

c. Retrospective Monthly Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

d. Uncashed Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

e. Rounding of Payment Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

f. Penalties for False or Misleading Statements or Withholding of Information. . . . . . . . . 64

g. Installment Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

h. Retroactive Payments to Prisoners, Fugitive Felons, and Probation or Parole Violators 65

4. Federal Benefit Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

5. Exclusions from Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

a. General Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

b. Special Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6. Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

a. General Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

b. Special Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

c. Transfer-of-Resources Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

7. Presumptive and Emergency Payments and Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . 75

a. Presumptive Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

b. Emergency Advance Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

c. Interim Assistance Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

8. Medicaid Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

9. State Supplementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

10. Overpayment Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

11. Fees for Attorneys and Non-Attorney Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
(XIII)

B. INCOME AND RESOURCE EXCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

1. Earned Income Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

2. Unearned Income Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

3. Resource Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

C. HISTORICAL ALLOWANCE DATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

1. Technical Notes on the Disability Research File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

2. General Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

D. HISTORICAL REDETERMINATION AND CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW DATA 95

1. Redeterminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

2. Continuing Disability Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION . . . . . . . . . 104

1. Work Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

a. Numbers of Participants in Work Incentive Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

b. Average Earnings of Participants in Work Incentive Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

2. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

F. INVOLVEMENT OF SSI RECIPIENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

G. RESEARCH ON RELATED TOPICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

1. Ongoing Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

a. SSI Policy Simulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

b. National Survey of SSI Children and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

c. Analytic Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

d. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

e. Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

f. Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

g. TANF/SSI Disability Transition Project (TSDTP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

h. Occupational Information System (OIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

i. Homeless with Schizophrenia Presumptive Disability (HSPD) Pilot Demonstration . . . 120

2. Bibliography of Recent Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

H. GLOSSARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD

(XV)

TABLES

III.H1 SSI State Supplementation and Coordination with Other Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

IV.A1 Historical and Projected Social Security Area Population based on the 

Intermediate Assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report, as of July 1, 1974-2037. . . . 26

IV.A2 SSI Federal Benefit Rate Increases and Levels: Historical and Projected on the Basis of the 

Intermediate Assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report, 1974-2037. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

IV.B1 SSI Federally-Administered Applications, Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

IV.B2 SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients, Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

IV.B3 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Death, Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . . . 34

IV.B4 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Reasons Other Than Death, 

Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

IV.B5 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations for All Reasons, Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . 36

IV.B6 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037 37

IV.B7 Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, as of December, 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

IV.B8 SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementation Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

IV.B9 SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered Benefits in Current-Payment Status 

as of December, 1974-2037. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

IV.C1 SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

IV.C2 SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Fiscal Years 1978-2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

IV.C3 SSI Federal Payments in CPI-Indexed 2013 Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2037 . . . . . . . . . . 48

IV.C4 SSI Federally-Administered State Supplementation Payments in Current Dollars, 

Calendar Years 1974-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

IV.D1 SSI Federal Payments as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1974-2037. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

IV.E1 Selected SSI Costs, Fiscal Years 1978-2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

V.A1 Federal Benefit Rates Set by Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

V.C1 Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing and Level of Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

V.C2 Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing and Level of Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

V.D1 SSI Redeterminations and Limited Issues Completed, Fiscal Years 1986-2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 95

V.D2 SSI Continuing Disability Full Medical Reviews by Year of Initial Decision, 

Fiscal Years 1993-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

V.D3 SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by 

Year of Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

V.D4 SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by 

Year of Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
(XVI)

V.E1 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients 

as of December, 1987-2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

V.E2 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Individuals with SSI Recipient 

Status Participating in Other Work Incentives as of December, 1990-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

V.E3 Average Monthly Earnings of SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working 

Recipients, as of December, 1987-2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

V.E4 Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement Claims Allowed, Fiscal Years 1987-2012 . . . . . . . 110

V.E5 Employment Network Payments Allowed, Fiscal Years 2002-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

V.F1 Percentage of SSI Federally-Administered Recipients in Current-Payment Status with 

Participation in Selected Programs Based on SSA Administrative Records, 

December 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
(XVII)

FIGURES

IV.B1 SSI Federally-Administered Applications by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040 . . . . . . 31

IV.B2 SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040 . . . . 33

IV.B3 SSI Federally-Administered Terminations by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040 . . . . . . 37

IV.B4 SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status, by Age Group, 

as of December, 1975-2040. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

IV.B5 Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, by Age Group, as of December, 1975-2040. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

IV.B6 Age-Sex-Adjusted Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, by Eligibility Category, 

as of December, 1975-2040. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

IV.C1 SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, in CPI-Indexed 2013 Dollars, 

Calendar Years 1975-2040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

IV.D1 SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1975-2040. . 50

V.E1 SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients 

as of December, 1987-2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
.
1

I. INTRODUCTION

Congress established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in 1972 by amending the Social

Security Act (the Act) to include Title XVI of the Act, with payments beginning in 1974. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the program. SSI replaced the former Federal-State programs of

Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled in the 50 States

and the District of Columbia. Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands became eligible for SSI in January 1978.

In 2013, the SSI program provides a monthly Federal cash payment of $710 ($1,066 for a couple if both

members are eligible) for an eligible person living in his or her own household and having no other countable income. Since 1975, these Federal SSI benefit rates have increased with the same cost-of-living

adjustment applied to benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.

In addition to setting a Federal benefit standard, the legislation establishing SSI also permitted individual

States to supplement the Federal payment with an additional monthly amount. As described in section III,

these State supplementation payments can be either voluntary at the option of the individual States or, in

certain cases, mandatory under requirements in effect when the SSI program began.

Under section 231 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, SSA

must submit a report on the SSI program to the President and Congress no later than May 30 of each year.

This is the seventeenth annual report on the SSI program. The legislative mandate requires that the report

include:

 • A comprehensive description of the SSI program;

 • Historical and current data relating to: (1) claims intake and dispositions at all levels of decision making; (2) demographic information about recipients, including program cost and prior enrollment in

other public benefit programs; (3) redeterminations, continuing disability reviews, and utilization of

work incentives; (4) administrative costs; and (5) State supplementation program operations; 

 • 25-year projections of future recipients and program costs; 

 • A historical summary of statutory changes to Title XVI of the Act; and

 • Summaries of any relevant research on the SSI program by SSA or others.

In addition, the legislation specified that the report may include views of the SSI program by the Social

Security Advisory Board.

Much of the required information is the subject of extensive ongoing research. In responding to each of the

specific requests for information, every effort has been made to provide the best information available at

this time. SSA will continue to make improvements upon such information in order to help the President

and Congress effectively manage this important part of our social safety net.
2013 SSI Annual Report

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II. HIGHLIGHTS

The SSI program is a nationwide Federal assistance program administered by SSA that guarantees a minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. This section presents highlights of

recent SSI program experience, a summary of important changes to the program in the last year, a discussion of current issues facing the SSI program, and a summary of the key results from the 25-year projections.

A. RECENT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

SSI program experience during the past year included the following:

 • During calendar year 2012, 2.3 million individuals applied for SSI benefits based on blindness or disability, a decrease of 5 percent from 2011. Additionally, 147 thousand individuals applied for SSI benefits based on age, a decrease of 4 percent from 2011. In 2012, 973 thousand applicants were awarded

SSI benefits, a decrease of 7 percent as compared to the 1.0 million awarded benefits in 2011.

 • Each month on average during calendar year 2012, 8.0 million individuals received Federal SSI benefits. This group was composed of 1.1 million aged recipients, 6.8 million disabled recipients, and 65

thousand blind recipients. Of the 6.9 million blind or disabled recipients, 1.3 million were under age

18, and 0.9 million were aged 65 or older. During the year, 9.0 million aged, blind, or disabled individuals received at least 1 month’s Federal SSI benefit.

 • Federal expenditures for payments under the SSI program in calendar year 2012 totaled $51.7 billion,

up from $49.0 billion in 2011.

 • Each month on average during calendar year 2012, 2.3 million individuals received Federally-administered State supplementation payments. This group was composed of 0.5 million aged recipients, 1.7

million disabled recipients, and fewer than 50 thousand blind recipients. During calendar year 2012,

2.7 million individuals received at least 1 month’s Federally-administered State supplementation payment.

 • State expenditures for Federally-administered supplements, excluding fees for Federal administration,

totaled $3.3 billion in calendar year 2012, down from $3.5 billion in 2011.

 • The percentage of SSI recipients receiving their benefits electronically increased from 70 percent in

fiscal year 2011 to 83 percent in fiscal year 2012. SSI recipient participation in direct deposit

increased gradually in the 2000’s after experiencing a period of sharp growth when it more than doubled from 24 percent in 1995 to 49 percent in 2000. Electronic receipt of benefits increased significantly in 2012 and is expected to continue to increase significantly in the next year as most SSI

recipients must receive their benefit payments by direct deposit, the Direct Express® debit card, or an

electronic transfer account, effective March 2013.

 • The cost of administering the SSI program in fiscal year 2012 was $3.9 billion, which was roughly

8 percent of total Federally-administered SSI expenditures.

 • In January 2013, 8.3 million individuals received Federally-administered monthly SSI benefits averaging $526. Of these, 8.1 million received monthly Federal SSI payments averaging $507, and

2.2 million received monthly State supplementation payments averaging $122.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

B. SSI LEGISLATION SINCE THE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Since we submitted the 2012 SSI Annual Report to the President and Congress on May 30, 2012, the following legislative changes have been made to the SSI program:

Public Law 112-240, enacted January 2, 2013

Makes permanent the exclusion from income of all refundable, Federal, and advance tax credits. The law

also makes permanent the 12-month resource exclusion of all refundable Federal and advanced tax credits.

C. CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE SSI PROGRAM

For nearly 40 years, the SSI program has been a crucial lifeline for the most vulnerable among us. Every

month, it helps over 8 million aged, blind, and disabled Americans meet their basic need for food, clothing, and shelter. We strive to improve our administration of this vital program by reaching those in need,

helping those able to work to transition to self-support, and being good stewards of the Nation's tax dollars.

Program Integrity

The SSI benefit, which is means tested, is designed to reflect even small fluctuations in a beneficiary's

income, resources, and living arrangements. To pay benefits accurately, we must consider the many

changes that can occur in individuals' lives every month. Over the years, adjusting SSI benefits to reflect

current circumstances has grown more challenging: our other workloads have increased, our funding has

decreased and is not predictable, and society and SSI law have become more complex.

We have embraced our responsibility to both determine SSI eligibility in a timely manner and pay benefits

accurately. Our goal is to pay the right person the right benefit at the right time, and we use many tools to

ensure that SSI benefits are accurate. One of our most valuable tools is the SSI redetermination process.

During a redetermination, we review the non-medical aspects of a beneficiary's case to ensure that the benefit is accurate and based on up-to-date information. In fiscal year 2012, we completed about 2.6 million

redeterminations and limited issues, a type of targeted redetermination. This represents an increase of

about 170,000, or roughly 7 percent, from fiscal year 2011.

Access to Financial Institutions

A leading cause of improper payments is beneficiaries holding money in excess of the SSI resource limits

($2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple) in financial institution accounts. Access to Financial Institutions (AFI)—an innovative partnership between SSA and the financial community—now provides

timely access to bank account information. Using AFI, we are able to electronically verify the accounts

that beneficiaries disclose to us and search for other non-disclosed bank accounts. Before implementation

of AFI, we relied primarily on beneficiary self-reporting and, to a lesser degree, information from the

Internal Revenue Service to detect large bank accounts. 

AFI has proven to be a successful and powerful tool in preventing and detecting SSI improper payments.

For example, a claimant stated that he had a bank account under the $2,000 resource limit, but AFI found

that the actual balance was $200,000. Another claimant said he had only one bank account, but AFI

uncovered six with balances of nearly $25,000 each. While not routine, these cases demonstrate the potential of AFI to improve accuracy and generate savings for the SSI and Medicaid programs.
2013 SSI Annual Report

4

SSI Telephone Wage Reporting

Wages are the second leading cause of SSI improper payments. To help address this issue, we continue to

expand the use of the SSI Telephone Wage Reporting System (SSITWR). SSITWR is an automated, toll

free service that allows beneficiaries, deemors, and representative payees to send us wage information by

phone. This process is convenient and saves time for both our beneficiaries and our field offices because

successful SSITWR reports automatically update our records. SSITWR has allowed us to process more

wage reports in a timely manner and, because these reports are generally accurate, reduce wage-related

improper payments. 

In addition to continuing to expand the use of SSITWR, SSA is exploring other ways to improve our

access to timely wage information.

SSI Disabled Children

As Congress noted when it established the SSI program, “Disabled children who live in low-income

households are...deserving of special assistance in order to help them become self-supporting members of

our society.” Since 1974, the program has assisted many children with disabling conditions and their families. It has allowed parents to care for their children's special needs, provide for their medical treatment,

and pay their bills. In some cases, SSI child disability benefits have prevented families from becoming

homeless. Each month, we pay over $800 million in cash benefits to about 1.3 million children with disabling conditions. Many children are likely to have life-long disabilities, but some have medical conditions amenable to significant medical improvement. For this second group, the goal of the SSI program is

to help them develop and acquire the skills needed to support themselves in adulthood and transition from

the disability rolls to independence.

The SSI children's disability program has remained unchanged for almost 15 years. Accordingly, outside

experts will conduct an SSI Childhood Disability study that will provide an independent analysis of the

SSI disability program for children. We will consult with a broad range of stakeholders in developing the

parameters for the study to ensure the right set of questions are asked and answered.

D. KEY RESULTS FROM THE 25-YEAR PROJECTIONS

The major findings in the 25-year projections prepared for this report are:

 • Following small declines in the SSI recipient population in the late 1990s due to the combined impact

of Public Law 104-121 (the Contract With America Advancement Act of 1996) and Public Law 104-

193 (the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996), modest growth

in the SSI rolls resumed in 2000. The economic recession that began in late 2007 led to faster growth

in the SSI recipient population in recent years. We expect a somewhat higher level of growth to continue for a few years due to the still-elevated unemployment rates during the remainder of the recovery from the recent economic downturn. That brief period of elevated growth is projected to be

followed by a return to more modest growth throughout the remainder of the projection period at a

rate somewhat slower than the rate of growth in the U.S. population. By 2037, we estimate that the

Federal SSI recipient population will reach 9.4 million. As a percentage of the total U.S. population,

we project the number of Federal SSI recipients to increase from 2.51 in 2012 to rise very slightly to

2.53 over the next few years and then to decrease very gradually to 2.42 percent of the population by

2037.

 • We estimate that Federal expenditures for SSI payments in calendar year 2013 will increase by $1.9

billion to $53.6 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent from 2012 levels. In dollars adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2013 levels, we project that SSI program outlays will increase to $61.5

billion in 2037, a real increase of 0.6 percent per year.
5

2013 SSI Annual Report

 • Federal SSI expenditures were 0.33 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012. We project

that such expenditures will remain at 0.33 percent of GDP in 2013, and then decline thereafter to 0.23

percent of GDP by 2037.
2013 SSI Annual Report

6

III. THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM 

This section presents a brief history and comprehensive description of the SSI program. This section also

includes information on the administration of the program and coordination with other programs.

A. BACKGROUND

Federal entitlement programs for the aged, blind, or disabled have their roots in the original Social Security Act of 1935. The Act established an old-age social insurance program administered by the Federal

Government and an old-age means-tested assistance program administered by the States. Congress added

similar programs for the blind or disabled to the Act in later years. Means-tested assistance provided a

safety net for individuals who were either ineligible for Social Security or whose benefits could not provide a basic level of income.

This means-tested assistance comprised three separate programs—Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind,

and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled. Despite substantial Federal financing, these programs

were essentially State programs. Federal law established only broad guidelines for assistance. The Federal

Government provided matching funds to support whatever payment levels the States established, with no

maximum or minimum standards. Consequently, each State was responsible for setting its own standards

for determining who would get assistance and how much they would receive.

Beginning in the early 1960s, this State-operated, Federally-assisted system drew criticism directed at the

“crazy quilt” eligibility requirements and payment levels. Other criticism centered on specific requirements, such as lien laws and provisions that required certain relatives to bear responsibility for the maintenance of needy family members.

Responding to these concerns, Congress passed and the President approved the SSI program in 1972,

which substantially reversed the Federal and State roles with regard to adult assistance. Under the new

arrangement, SSI provides a uniform Federal income floor while optional State programs supplement that

floor. The new program was historic in that it shifted responsibility from the States to the Federal Government for determining who would receive assistance and how much assistance they would receive. 

B. THE BASIC PLAN

The main objective of the SSI program is to provide basic financial support of needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. Congress designed the SSI program based on the following principles:

 • Eligibility requirements and benefit standards that are nationally uniform and eligibility determinations based on objective criteria;

 • An assistance source of last resort for the aged, blind, or disabled whose income and resources are

below specified levels;

 • Incentives and opportunities for those recipients able to work or to be rehabilitated that would enable

them to reduce their dependency on public assistance;

 • An efficient and economical method of providing assistance;

 • Inducements to encourage States to provide supplementation of the basic Federal benefit and protection for former recipients of State adult assistance programs who were converted to the SSI program;

and
7

2013 SSI Annual Report

 • Appropriate coordination of the SSI program with the food stamp, medical assistance, and other programs.1

C. UNIFORM STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVE CRITERIA

Prior to the SSI program, the eligibility of aged, blind, or disabled individuals for Federally-funded adult

assistance depended on the State in which they lived. Benefit levels varied from State to State. The SSI

program replaced the State-run programs with a national program with uniform standards and objective

eligibility criteria. These standards include:

 • A uniform limitation on the dollar amount or value of income and resources that an individual can

have and still qualify for SSI assistance. The countable income limits for individuals and couples are

equal to their respective Federal benefit rates2 and increase annually according to changes in the cost

of living. For 2013, the Federal benefit rate is $710 a month for individuals and $1,066 a month for

couples. The resource limit is $2,000 in countable resources for individuals and $3,000 for couples.

 • A uniform standard of 65 as the minimum age for assistance based on age.

 • A uniform definition of disability and blindness. The definitions for individuals age 18 or older are

the same as those used for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. In order to be

considered disabled, an individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment

that is expected to last or has lasted at least 12 continuous months or is expected to result in death and:

(1) if age 18 or older, prevents him or her from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA)3; or (2) if

under age 18, results in marked and severe functional limitations. However, individuals for whom

addiction to drugs or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of their disabilities are not eligible for benefits. In order to be considered blind, an individual must have central

visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens or have tunnel vision

of 20 degrees or less.

 • Uniform standards for citizenship and residency. In order to be eligible for SSI, an individual

must be a citizen or national of the United States, an American Indian born in Canada who is admitted to the United States under section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an

American Indian born outside the United States who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian

tribe under section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, a noncitizen

who was receiving SSI benefits on August 22, 1996, or a qualified alien in one of the following categories4:

 — Certain noncitizens who are blind or disabled and were lawfully residing in the United States on

August 22, 1996;

1 For example, as explained in section III.H, SSI recipients in most States are also automatically eligible for Medicaid, which generally provides for their

medical needs.

2 See table IV.A2 for historical and estimated future Federal benefit rates.

3 “SGA” describes a level of work activity that is both substantial (i.e., involves the performance of significant physical or mental activities) and gainful

(i.e., activities in work for pay or profit, or in work generally performed for pay or profit). SGA rules do not apply to the SSI blind. Generally, earnings from

work activity of over $1,040 a month are evidence of ability to engage in SGA. If an SSI applicant is earning over $1,040 a month, he or she generally would

not be considered disabled. However, if an SSI recipient is earning over $1,040 a month, he or she could continue to be eligible for SSI. (See “Incentives for

Work and Opportunities for Rehabilitation” section III.E.) The SGA level of $1,040 was increased from $1,010 effective January 1, 2013 (77 FR 65754).

According to regulation, SSA bases yearly increases in the SGA level on increases in the national average wage index.

4 Generally, the law limits SSI eligibility for humanitarian immigrants to 7 years. However, under the “SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees

Act,” which became law on September 30, 2008, lawmakers extended the 7-year period to 9 years during the window of October 1, 2008 through September

30, 2011. Afterwards, the SSI eligibility period reverted back to 7 years. Noncitizens who had naturalization applications pending during this same 3-year

window were exempt from the 7-year limitation.
2013 SSI Annual Report

8

 — Refugees (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after their arrival in the United

States);

 — Asylees (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after the date they are granted asylum);

 — Noncitizens who have had their deportations withheld under section 243(h) of the INA as in

effect prior to April 1, 1997, or who have had their removals withheld under section 241(b)(3) of

the INA (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after the date that deportation or

removal is withheld);

 — Cuban and Haitian entrants as defined by Federal statute, including: 1) section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980; 2) former parolees and other aliens who became residents under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966; 3) aliens who became permanent residents

under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act; 4) aliens who adjusted status as Cuban/

Haitian entrants under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; and

5) aliens who became permanent residents under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act

(the law generally limits eligibility for these categories to the 7-year period after the date that

entrant status is granted);

 — Amerasian immigrants admitted pursuant to section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export

Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988, and subsequent amendments (eligibility generally limited to the 7-year period after their arrival in the United States);

 — Noncitizen active duty Armed Forces personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and their

spouses and dependent children; or

 — Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have earned, or can be credited (from their spouses or

parents) with 40 qualifying quarters of earnings. Qualified aliens in this category must also serve

a 5-year waiting period in which they cannot receive SSI. This waiting period begins with the

date they either entered the United States as an LPR or were adjusted to LPR status.

Qualified alien status includes noncitizens (or their parents or children) who have been battered or

subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse or parent (or a member of the spouse’s

or parent’s family) with whom they live, and who have an approved petition, or have a petition pending, setting forth a prima facie case for adjustment of their immigration status. A complete list of noncitizens who are considered qualified aliens can be found in the Glossary under “Qualified Alien.”

However, to be eligible to receive SSI benefits, these noncitizens also must be in one of the categories

listed above.

In addition, certain noncitizens are treated as refugees for SSI purposes:

 — Noncitizens certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to be victims of trafficking in persons in the United States,1 with eligibility for SSI generally limited to the 7 years after

a determination is made that they are trafficking victims; and 

 — Iraqi or Afghan noncitizens granted special immigrant status under emergency conditions (i.e.,

Iraqis or Afghans who have provided service to the U.S. government and, as a result, may be in

danger within their country of origin), with eligibility for SSI generally limited to the 7 years

after the special immigrant status is granted.

1 Generally defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or

coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

In addition to being a U.S. citizen (or national) or in one of the potentially eligible noncitizen categories, an individual must reside in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. An individual also must be physically present in the United States1. There are two

exceptions to the residency and physical presence requirements: 

 — Blind or disabled children who are citizens of the United States may continue to be eligible for

payments if they are living outside the United States with a parent who is on duty as a member of

the U.S. Armed Forces. This exception also applies to blind or disabled children of military personnel who: (1) are born overseas; (2) become blind or disabled overseas; or (3) applied for SSI

benefits while overseas.

 — Students studying abroad for not more than 1 year also may continue to be eligible for payments

if the studies are sponsored by a U.S. educational institution but could not be conducted in the

United States.

D. ASSISTANCE OF LAST RESORT

As a means-tested program, SSI takes into account all income and resources that an individual has or can

access. The amount of an individual’s countable income and resources are the measure of his or her need

for assistance.

1. Income

The Social Security Act requires us to consider an individual’s income in determining both eligibility for

and the amount of his or her SSI benefit. We first compute an individual’s “countable” income (i.e.,

income less all applicable exclusions) on a calendar month basis. We then compute his or her monthly

benefit by subtracting countable income from the applicable Federal benefit rate.2 Generally, ineligibility

for SSI occurs when countable income equals the Federal benefit rate plus the amount of an applicable

Federally-administered State supplementation payment.3

When an individual lives in the household of another and receives support and maintenance in-kind (i.e.,

room and board) from the householder, the Federal benefit rate decreases by one-third. This is in lieu of

counting the actual value of the support and maintenance as unearned income. In contrast, we count the

value of food or shelter-related items the individual receives in-kind from persons other than the householder (including in-kind assistance from outside the household in which he or she lives) as unearned

income. However, the amount that is countable is limited to an amount equal to one-third of the applicable

Federal benefit rate plus $20.

The Social Security Act defines two kinds of income—earned and unearned. Earned income is wages, net

earnings from self-employment, remuneration for work in a sheltered workshop, royalties on published

work, and honoraria for services. All other income is unearned including, for example, Social Security

benefits, other pensions, and unemployment compensation. The distinction between earned and unearned

income is significant because different exclusions apply to each type of income. 

However, under the law, not everything an individual receives is income. Generally, if the item received is

not food or shelter or cannot be used to obtain food or shelter, it will not be considered as income. For

example, if someone pays an individual’s medical bills, or offers free medical care, or if the individual

1 Fifty States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

2 See table IV.A2 for historical and estimated future Federal benefit rates. We adjust Federal benefit rates in January to reflect changes in the cost of living.

3 We discuss State supplementation payments in section III.G.
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10

receives money from a social services agency that is a repayment of an amount he or she previously spent,

that value is not considered income to the individual. In addition, some items that are considered to be

income are excluded when determining the amount of an individual’s benefit.

Income Exclusions1

The principal earned income exclusions are: 

 • The first $65 per month plus one-half of the remainder; 

 • Impairment-related work expenses of the disabled and work expenses of the blind; 

 • Income set aside or being used to pursue a plan to achieve self-support (PASS) by a disabled or blind

individual; and 

 • The first $30 of infrequent or irregularly received income in a quarter. 

The principal unearned income exclusions are: 

 • The first $20 per month;2

 • Income set aside or being used to pursue a PASS by a disabled or blind individual; 

 • State or locally funded assistance based on need; 

 • Rent subsidies under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs;

 • The value of food stamps; and 

 • The first $60 of infrequent or irregularly received income in a quarter. 

2. Resources 

The Social Security Act also requires us to consider the value of an individual’s resources in determining

whether he or she is eligible for SSI in any given month. The statute states that eligibility is restricted to

individuals who have countable resources, determined monthly, that do not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for a

couple). Although the statute does not define “resources,” it lists those items that are not considered

resources. Our regulations define a resource to be a liquid asset, such as cash, or any real or personal property that, as a general matter, individuals (or their spouses) own and could convert to cash for their support

and maintenance, but there are numerous and complex exceptions to this general rule.

If an applicant disposes of resources at less than fair market value within the 36-month period prior to his

or her application for SSI or at any time thereafter, he or she may be penalized. The penalty is a loss of SSI

benefits for a number of months (up to a 36-month maximum).3 The penalty does not apply if, among

other things, the applicant can show that the resources were disposed of exclusively for a purpose other

than establishing SSI eligibility.

1 A complete list of the SSI income exclusions can be found in section V.B.

2 Any portion of this $20 amount not used to exclude unearned income may be used to exclude earned income.

3 We calculate the number of months of penalty by dividing the uncompensated value of disposed-of-resources by the Federal benefit rate plus the maximum Federally-administered State supplementation payment, if any, applicable to the individual’s living arrangement.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

Resource Exclusions1

The principal resource exclusions are:

 • The home and land appertaining to it, regardless of value;

 • Life insurance policies whose total face value does not exceed $1,500;

 • Burial funds not in excess of $1,500 each for an individual and spouse (plus accrued interest);

 • Household goods, if needed for maintenance, use and occupancy of the home, and personal effects;

 • An automobile, if used to provide necessary transportation;

 • Property essential to self-support;

 • Resources set aside to fulfill a PASS; and

 • Amounts deposited into either a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or “Assets for

Independence Act” individual development account (IDA), including matching funds, and interest

earned on such amounts.

3. Filing for Other Benefits 

As the “program of last resort,” eligible individuals receive SSI benefits only to the extent other income

and resources do not satisfy their needs. After evaluating all other income and resources, SSI pays what is

necessary to bring an individual to the statutorily prescribed income floor. In keeping with this principle,

the Act requires that SSI applicants and recipients file for other payments for which they may be eligible,

such as annuities, pensions, retirement or disability benefits, workers’ compensation, and unemployment

insurance benefits. 

We must provide an individual with written notice of potential eligibility for other benefits and of the

requirement to take all appropriate steps to pursue these benefits. The individual has 30 days from receipt

of the notice to file for the benefits involved. 

4. Eligibility Issues for Residents of Public Institutions or Medical Treatment Facilities 

State and local governments—rather than the Federal Government—traditionally have taken the financial

responsibility for residents of their public institutions. The SSI program continues this long-standing public assistance policy. Residents of public institutions for a full calendar month are generally ineligible for

SSI unless one of the following exceptions applies:

 • The public institution is a medical treatment facility and Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the

cost of care, or in the case of a child under age 18, Medicaid or private health insurance pays more

than 50 percent of the cost of care—in these situations, the SSI payment is limited to $30;

 • The public institution is a publicly-operated community residence that serves no more than

16 residents;

 • The public institution is an emergency shelter for the homeless—in these situations payments are limited to no more than 6 months in any 9-month period;

1 We include a more detailed list of the SSI resource exclusions in section V.B.
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 • The recipient was eligible under section 1619(a) or (b)1 for the month preceding the first full month in

the public institution and permitted by the institution to retain any benefits—in this situation, payments are limited to 2 months; or

 • A physician certifies that the recipient’s stay in a medical treatment facility is likely not to exceed 3

months, and SSA determines that continued SSI eligibility is necessary to maintain and provide for

the expenses of the home to which the individual will return. In these situations, the recipient may

continue to receive the full benefit for any of the first 3 full months of medical confinement if he or

she meets all other conditions for payment.

5. Personal Needs Allowance 

When individuals enter medical treatment facilities in which Medicaid pays more than half of the bill, the

law generally requires us to reduce their monthly Federal benefit rate to $30 beginning with the first full

calendar month they are in the facility. In the case of an individual under age 18, the $30 payment amount

is also applicable if private insurance or a combination of Medicaid and private insurance pays more than

half the bill. In these cases, the SSI program provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by the facility. 

6. Deeming 

The Act requires us to count, in certain situations, the income and resources of others in determining

whether an individual’s income and resources fall below the levels established by law. We call this process

“deeming”; it applies in cases where an eligible individual lives with an ineligible spouse, an eligible child

lives with an ineligible parent, or an eligible noncitizen has a sponsor.2 In concept, the practice takes into

account the responsibility of the spouse, parent, or sponsor to provide for the basic needs of the eligible

individual. 

a. Spouse-to-Spouse Deeming 

When an eligible individual lives in the same household with a spouse who is not eligible for SSI, we

deem the ineligible spouse’s income and resources to be available to the eligible individual. In determining

the amount of income and resources available to the eligible individual, we use all applicable exclusions.

In addition, the law provides a living allowance for the ineligible spouse as well as for any ineligible children under age 18 (or under age 22 and a student) living in the household. The allowance reduces the

amount of income to be deemed. Spouse-to-spouse deeming generally results in approximately the same

amount of income available to the couple that would be available if both members of the couple were

aged, blind, or disabled and eligible for SSI.

Deeming does not apply when the eligible individual is not living in the same household as the ineligible

spouse. However, if the ineligible spouse’s absence is temporary or is due solely to an active duty assignment as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, deeming continues to apply. 

b. Parent-to-Child Deeming 

A child under age 18 is subject to deeming from an ineligible natural or adoptive parent (and that parent’s

spouse, if any) living in the same household. Deeming does not apply if: (1) a child lives in a household

1 See section III.E.6 of this report for a description of the special section 1619 provisions for disabled individuals who work.

2 Deeming also applies to an individual who lives with an essential person (a concept carried over from the former State assistance plans). However, there

are fewer than 40 of these cases remaining.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

with only the spouse of a parent (i.e., a stepparent); and (2) the natural or adoptive parent has permanently

left the household. Deeming to a child continues if the parent is absent from the household only if the

absence is temporary or due solely to active duty assignment as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. If a

child lives in a household in which all members are receiving public assistance benefits, we do not consider that child to be receiving any support and deeming does not apply.

In the deeming computation, we first calculate the parent’s income, using any exclusions that apply. Then

we subtract a living allowance for the parent(s) and each ineligible child under age 18 (or under age 22 if a

student) who is living in the household. We deem the remainder to be available to the eligible child(ren). 

c. Sponsor-to-Alien Deeming 

We deem the income and resources of noncitizens to include those of their sponsors. The way we deem the

income and resources and the length of the deeming period depends on whether the sponsor signed a

legally enforceable affidavit of support1 or the previous version of the affidavit. Generally, noncitizens

who entered the country before 1998 did so under the old version of the affidavit.2

Under the old version of the affidavit, deeming of the sponsor’s income and resources lasts until the noncitizen has been in the United States for 3 years.3 The law provides living allowances equal to the Federal

benefit rate for the sponsor as well as allowances equal to one-half of the Federal benefit rate for each of

the sponsor’s dependents. The law also provides allowances for the sponsor and his or her family members

in determining deemed resources. These allowances reduce the amount of the sponsor’s income and

resources deemed to the noncitizen.

For noncitizens admitted into the United States under a legally enforceable affidavit of support, deeming

generally applies until the noncitizen becomes a U.S. citizen. Deeming ends before citizenship if the noncitizen has earned, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings. Children and spouses of

workers may be credited with quarters earned by the worker. A quarter otherwise earned after 1996 does

not count as one of the required 40 if the noncitizen or worker received Federal means-tested public benefits during the relevant period. 

For this group of noncitizens, deeming also does not apply for specified periods if the noncitizens or their

children or parents have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty while in the United States or if

sponsors leave the noncitizens indigent by not providing them with sufficient support. 

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION

SSI benefits provide a basic level of assistance for individuals who are blind or disabled with limited earnings capacity due to their impairments. Nonetheless, for recipients who want to work, the SSI program is

designed to encourage and support their work attempts in order to help them achieve greater degrees of

independence. The SSI program includes a number of work incentives that enable recipients who are blind

or disabled to work and retain benefits or to increase their levels of work activity without the loss of SSI

disability status or Medicaid. These incentives provide higher amounts of income or resource exclusions

as recognition of the expenses associated with working or as inducements to seek rehabilitation services

and support for work efforts. 

1 Legally enforceable affidavits of support are required by Public Law 104-208.

2 The Immigration and Naturalization Service now known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began using the new, legally

enforceable affidavits on December 19, 1997. However, if a potential immigrant had a visa issued before that date, the sponsor would sign an old version of

the affidavit even if the affidavit was signed after December 19, 1997.

3 For a temporary period—January 1994 through September 1996—the deeming period was 5 years.
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14

The SSI program also includes provisions to help disabled recipients obtain vocational rehabilitation (VR)

and employment support services. These provisions were revised by legislation establishing the Ticket to

Work program, which we describe in section III.E.7.

1. Earned Income Exclusion 

We exclude the first $65 ($85 if the individual has no income other than earnings) of any monthly earned

income plus one-half of remaining earnings for SSI benefit computation purposes. This general earned

income exclusion offsets expenses incurred when working.

2. Impairment-Related Work Expense Exclusion 

We exclude the costs of certain impairment-related services and items that a disabled (but not blind) individual needs in order to work from earned income in determining SSI eligibility and payment amounts.

In calculating these expenses, amounts equal to the costs of certain attendant care services, medical

devices, equipment, prostheses, vehicle modifications, residential modifications to accommodate wheelchairs, and similar items and services are deductible from earnings. The costs of routine drugs and routine

medical services are not deductible unless these drugs and services are necessary to control the disabling

condition.

3. Work Expenses of the Blind Exclusion 

We exclude any earned income by a blind individual used to meet expenses needed to earn that income

from earned income in determining SSI eligibility and payment amounts. A deductible expense need not

be directly related to the worker’s blindness; it need only be an ordinary and necessary work expense of

the worker.

Some frequently excluded work expenses include transportation to and from work, meals consumed during work hours, job equipment, licenses, income or FICA taxes, and costs of job training. 

4. Student Earned Income Exclusion 

The student earned income exclusion is an additional exclusion for an individual who is under age 22 and

regularly attending school. Under current regulations, we exclude up to $1,730 of earned income per

month but no more than $6,960 per year.1

5. Plan to Achieve Self-Support 

A plan to achieve self-support (PASS) allows a disabled or blind individual to set aside income and

resources to get a specific type of job or to start a business. A PASS may involve setting aside funds for

education or vocational training. A recipient can also set aside funds to purchase work-related equipment

or pay for transportation related to the work goal. We exclude the income and resources that a recipient

sets aside under the SSI income and resources tests. 

The individual must have a feasible work goal, must have a specific savings or spending plan, and must

provide for a clearly identifiable accounting for the funds that he or she sets aside. We must approve the

1 Increased from $1,700 and $6,840, respectively, effective January 1, 2013 (77 FR 65754). Under current regulations this amount increases yearly based

on changes in the cost of living.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

PASS; the individual must then follow the plan and negotiate revisions as needed. SSA monitors the plans

by reviewing them periodically to evaluate the individual’s progress towards attaining the work goal. 

6. Special Provisions for Disabled Recipients Who Work 

This work incentive generally is known by its section number in the Act, section 1619. Under section

1619(a), disabled individuals who would cease to be eligible because of earnings over the SGA level may

receive special cash benefits as long as they:

 • Continue to have the disabling condition;

 • Have income under the amount that would cause ineligibility for any payment under SSI income

counting rules; and

 • Meet all other nondisability requirements for SSI payment.

In many States, being a recipient of the special benefit permits the individual to be eligible for Medicaid

benefits.

Section 1619(b) also provides “SSI recipient” status for Medicaid eligibility purposes to individuals:

 • Whose earnings preclude any SSI payment but are not sufficient to provide a reasonable equivalent of

SSI benefits, social services, and Medicaid benefits that an individual would have in the absence of

earnings; and 

 • Whose ability to continue working would be seriously inhibited by the loss of social services and

Medicaid benefits. 

To qualify for extended Medicaid coverage under section 1619(b) an individual must: 

 • Have a disabling condition;

 • Need Medicaid in order to work;

 • Not be able to afford equivalent medical coverage and publicly funded personal or attendant care

without assistance; 

 • Meet all nondisability requirements for SSI payment other than earnings; and 

 • Have received a regular SSI cash payment in a previous month within the current period of eligibility.

(In some States, the individual must have qualified for Medicaid the month preceding the first month

of 1619 eligibility.) 

In determining whether individuals’ earnings are not sufficient to provide them with the equivalent benefits they would be eligible for if they stopped working, we compare their earnings to a threshold amount

for their State of residence. Section 1619(b) status continues if the earnings are at or below the threshold.

If earnings exceed the State threshold, we make an individualized assessment of the need for Medicaid and

1619(b) status may continue. 

7. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program

Since the beginning of the SSI program, State VR agencies have provided services to those blind or disabled SSI recipients whom they have accepted as clients. SSA has traditionally reimbursed the VR agency
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16

for services provided in situations where the services result in the individual’s working at the SGA level

for a continuous period of 9 months and in certain other limited situations.

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 established a Ticket to Work and SelfSufficiency program under which a blind or disabled beneficiary may obtain VR, employment, and other

support services from a qualified private or public provider, referred to as an “employment network” (EN),

or from a State VR agency. In addition, the Ticket legislation provided that ENs would be compensated

under an outcome or outcome-milestone payment system.1 By expanding the pool of providers and giving

the providers incentives for achieving success, this program seeks to expand a disabled beneficiary’s

access to these services in order to assist the beneficiary in finding, entering, and retaining employment

and reducing his or her dependence on cash benefits.

The Ticket to Work program has been in operation nationwide since September 2004. Under this program,

SSA provides eligible individuals who receive SSI benefits due to blindness or disability with access to

services under the Ticket to Work program. These individuals may obtain the vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, and other support services needed to return to work or go to work for the first

time. The Ticket to Work program provides that as long as the beneficiary is “using a ticket” SSA will not

initiate a continuing disability review to determine whether the beneficiary has medically improved.

ENs and State VR agencies are the only providers of VR services to disabled SSI recipients that SSA can

compensate for those services. All ENs receive their compensation through the Ticket to Work program’s

milestone or outcome-based payment system. Unless State VR agencies have elected to participate as an

EN for specific cases, they receive compensation under the traditional VR reimbursement system. Any

services provided by the State VR agencies to SSI recipients who are not yet eligible for a ticket receive

compensation under the traditional VR reimbursement system.

Individuals who improve medically and, therefore, are no longer considered disabled or blind may continue to receive SSI benefits if they are actively participating in the Ticket to Work program or another

approved program of VR services, employment services, or other support services. For benefits to continue, SSA must determine that continuing or completing the program will increase the likelihood that the

individual will be permanently removed from the SSI rolls. SSI benefits and Medicaid generally continue

until the recipient completes the approved program or the individual ceases to participate in the program.

In 2008, SSA revised the Ticket to Work regulations to enhance beneficiary choice and improve the effectiveness of the program. The revisions extended the program to all adult OASDI disabled and SSI blind or

disabled beneficiaries, removed disincentives for ENs to participate in the program, provided incentives

for ENs to support beneficiaries through a more gradual return to work and positioned ENs to better support ongoing retention of employment. The regulations also encourage partnership between State VR

agencies and ENs to provide long-term services to a beneficiary by allowing the beneficiary to assign a

ticket to an EN after receiving VR services.

8. Expedited Reinstatement

A disabled or blind individual whose eligibility for SSI payments ended because of earnings can request

expedited reinstatement of SSI benefits without filing a new application. To qualify for expedited reinstatement, the individual must make the request within 60 months after his or her eligibility ended and

must have a disabling medical condition that: (1) is the same as (or related to) the disabling medical condition that led to the previous period of eligibility; and (2) prevents the performance of SGA. In determining

1 State VR agencies generally have the option on a case-by-case basis of electing to be paid under an EN payment system or under the traditional cost reimbursement payment system. Effective July 21, 2008, a State VR agency under the traditional cost reimbursement option and an EN under the EN payment

system may be compensated for providing successive services to a beneficiary.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

whether the individual is disabled or blind, the medical improvement review standard is applied. Normal

nonmedical requirements for SSI eligibility still apply.

An individual requesting expedited reinstatement may receive up to 6 months of provisional benefits while

his or her request is pending. These benefits generally are not considered an overpayment if we deny the

request. Provisional benefits may include Medicaid but do not include any State supplementation payments.

F. ADMINISTRATION OF THE SSI PROGRAM

The framers of the SSI program chose SSA to administer the SSI program because the basic system for

paying monthly benefits to a large number of individuals was already in place in the form of the Social

Security program, and SSA had a long-standing reputation for thoughtfully and respectfully serving the

public.

1. Application Process

Individuals can apply for SSI benefits at any one of the approximately 1,250 SSA field offices around the

country or through SSA teleservice centers. Although many of the eligibility requirements for the Social

Security program and the SSI program are different, the application process is very similar. Individuals

typically file for benefits under both programs at the same time.

SSA corroborates information provided by applicants for SSI through independent or collateral sources.

Generally, the basic responsibility for obtaining evidence lies with the claimant, although SSA often gives

advice and assistance on ways to obtain it. However, due to the special circumstances of the SSI population (e.g., financial need, old age, or illness), SSA provides them with extra help obtaining needed information.

With regard to disability and blindness claims, SSA determines the nonmedical eligibility factors and each

State’s disability determination services (DDS) determines the medical eligibility factors.1

2. Determination of Eligibility for Benefits

SSI applications have no retroactivity and become effective in the month after the month of filing or the

month after all eligibility requirements are met, whichever is later. Eligibility for benefits in a month is

based on income received in that month. We generally calculate the amount of the monthly benefit using

income in the second month preceding the month for which the benefit is paid.2 However, at the start of a

period of eligibility or re-eligibility, we determine the amount of benefits for both the first and second

months using the income received in the first month.

3. Payment of Benefits

In general, we pay SSI benefits on the first day of each month. If the first of the month falls on a weekend

or legal public holiday, we deliver benefit payments on the first working day preceding such Saturday,

Sunday, or holiday. Monthly benefit payments include both the Federal SSI and State amounts if the recipient lives in a State in which SSA administers the State supplementation payment. (See section III.G.)

1 The applicant can appeal unfavorable determinations related to either the nonmedical or medical eligibility factors. The administrative review process

consists of several steps, which must be requested within certain time periods.

2 This method of calculating the benefit is called retrospective monthly accounting.
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Effective May 1, 2011, applicants filing for SSI benefit payments must choose direct deposit, the Direct

Express® debit card, or an electronic transfer account (ETA). Effective March 1, 2013, individuals must

receive their SSI benefits electronically through direct deposit, the Direct Express® debit card, or ETA,

unless they qualify for an automatic exemption (e.g., based on age) or are granted a waiver on the basis of

hardship. Examples of such hardship situations include inability to manage an account at a financial institution or Direct Express® due to mental impairment, or to remote geographic location lacking the necessary infrastructure to support electronic financial transactions. As of May 2013, about 91 percent of SSI

recipients received their benefits electronically.

4. Ensuring Continued Eligibility for Benefits

SSI recipients have their nonmedical eligibility factors redetermined periodically; the frequency of these

reviews depends on a variety of factors.

In addition to these nonmedical reviews, we conduct medical reviews on disabled or blind recipients in

order to determine if they continue to be disabled or blind. For administrative efficiency, we conduct the

medical reviews most often on those disabled or blind recipients whose medical conditions are most likely

to improve. The Act provides for medical reviews for disabled or blind recipients under the following circumstances:

 • When earnings of recipients exceed the SGA level;1

 • At least once every 3 years for recipients under age 18 whose medical conditions are likely to

improve;

 • Not later than 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is a contributing factor

material to the determination of their disability, unless SSA determines that the impairment is not

likely to improve within 12 months of the child’s birth; and 

 • Within 1 year after attaining age 18 for those recipients whose eligibility we established under the disabled child eligibility criteria. We conduct the required review using the adult eligibility criteria.

The Act requires applicants and recipients to report events and changes of circumstances that may affect

their SSI eligibility and benefit amounts. The Act requires such reports, for example, when an individual

has a change in the amount of his or her income or resources, changes living arrangements, or leaves the

United States. Failure or delay in reporting such a change can result in monetary penalties or ineligibility

for SSI benefits.

The basic “failure to report” penalty is $25 for the first such failure or delay, $50 for the second such failure or delay, and $100 for each subsequent failure or delay. However, in cases of fraud or false representation of material facts, SSA’s Inspector General can assess civil monetary penalties in amounts as large as

$5,000. In such cases of fraud or false representation, SSA also has the authority to suspend eligibility to

SSI benefits for specific periods of 6 months for the first occurrence, 12 months for the second occurrence,

and 24 months for each subsequent occurrence.

Additionally, SSA may use an accelerated rate of overpayment recovery to encourage accurate reporting.

Overpayments to SSI recipients are generally recovered by withholding from the monthly benefit an

amount equal to 10 percent of the individual’s countable monthly income. For many recipients whose only

income is SSI, this withheld amount is 10 percent of their monthly SSI payment. However, if SSA deter1 A medical review cannot be initiated while the SSI recipient is “using a ticket” under the Ticket to Work program.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

mines that the recipient misrepresented or concealed material information, 100 percent of the monthly SSI

benefit may be subject to recovery.

5. Representative Payees 

When SSI recipients are incapable of managing their benefits or are declared legally incompetent, we

appoint representative payees for them, and we send their SSI benefits to the representative payees. In

many cases the representative payee is a spouse, a parent, or other close relative who will act in the recipient’s best interest. In some cases, SSA approves an organization to serve as a payee. SSA authorizes certain types of organizations to collect a fee from the benefit for acting as payee. The fee cannot exceed the

lesser of 10 percent of the payment amount or a specified amount ($39 a month in 20131).

Representative payees may use an SSI recipient’s benefit only for the use and benefit of the recipient and

must account for all benefits received. The Act requires representative payees to report any changes that

may affect SSI recipients’ eligibility and payment amount. SSA may hold representative payees liable for

certain overpayments that occur. In cases in which a child is due a retroactive payment that exceeds six

times the Federal benefit rate, the Act requires the representative payee to establish a dedicated account at

a financial institution to maintain the retroactive payment. Representatives must make expenditures from

the account primarily for certain expenses related to the child’s impairment.

6. Appeal Rights 

Individuals who disagree with an SSA determination (e.g., eligibility for or the amount of SSI benefits)

can appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council review, and Federal

court review. If individuals do not agree with the decision they receive at one level, they may appeal to the

next. A reconsideration is a complete review by SSA (or by the DDS if applicants are appealing a disability determination).2 A hearing gives applicants the opportunity to appear before an administrative law

judge (ALJ) who had no part in the initial determination or the reconsideration. The Social Security

Appeals Council may dismiss a request for review, deny a request for review if it believes the hearing

decision was correct, or it may decide the case itself, or remand the case to the ALJ for further action. A

Federal district court may look at cases when applicants disagree with the Appeal Council’s decision or

denial of the request for review.

SSI recipients must receive advance notice of any adverse action SSA plans to take against them and may

continue to receive monthly benefits if they appeal the adverse action. For reconsiderations involving the

amount of an SSI payment, recipients qualify for benefit continuation if they file the appeal within 10 days

of receipt of the notice of adverse action. For appeals of medical cessations or determinations reopened

and revised due to medical reasons, recipients qualify for benefit continuation at the reconsideration and

hearing levels if they file the appeal and elect benefit continuation within 10 days of receipt of the initial

or reconsideration determination.

7. Fees for Attorneys and Non-attorney Representatives

At any time, an individual may appoint a representative in any dealings with SSA. If such a representative

is an attorney, he or she must be in good standing and: (1) admitted to practice law before the U.S.

Supreme Court, a U.S. Federal, state, territorial, insular possession, or District of Columbia court; or (2) a

member of a State bar if that membership carries with it the authority to practice law in that state. Nonattorneys must be known to possess good character and reputation and must be able to competently advise

1 For disabled recipients who also have a drug addiction or alcoholism condition, the maximum permitted fee in 2013 is $76 a month (77 FR 65754).

2 SSA introduced a modification of this process in 10 States for disability applications filed October 1, 1999 and later. Under this revised process, applicants appeal initial disability denial determinations directly to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, thereby eliminating the reconsideration step.

The options for appeal beyond the hearing level are unchanged.
2013 SSI Annual Report

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and assist claimants in presenting their cases. A person cannot be a representative if he or she is disqualified or suspended from acting as a representative with SSA or is prohibited by any law from acting as a

representative. 

With a limited exception, representatives must use one of SSA’s fee authorization processes to request a

fee for their services.1 They can request a fee by either submitting a fee agreement or filing a fee petition.

SSA reviews the documents and authorizes the fee the representative may charge or receive. Under the

statute, the fee under an approved fee agreement is the lesser of 25 percent of the past-due benefits or a

maximum amount (currently $6,000) adjustable by the Commissioner at his or her discretion. There is no

limit on the amount of the fee based on a fee petition; a reasonable fee is determined after reviewing the

specific services provided by the representative. After SSA authorizes the fee, the representative may not

charge or receive more than the amount authorized.

The SSI program previously differed from the Social Security program in that we did not withhold

amounts from an individual’s SSI benefits to directly pay the representative his or her authorized fee. SSI

claimants were responsible for paying such fees directly to their representatives. However, beginning February 28, 2005, Congress extended direct payment of both attorney and non-attorney representative fees to

the SSI program.2 As in the fee process for the Social Security program, we can withhold up to 25 percent

of the individual’s SSI past-due benefits to pay an eligible representative’s fee directly. The law also

requires that we charge representatives an assessment of the smaller of 6.3 percent of each authorized fee

withheld or the flat-rate cap of $88. This assessment applies to authorized fees withheld under the SSI program and the Social Security program; however, in concurrent cases, we only charge the assessment once

based on the total fee we directly pay to the representative. We adjust the flat-rate cap based on annual

cost-of-living adjustments that we round down to the next lower dollar. This flat-rate cap has prevented

SSA from recouping much of the costs incurred in the fee-withholding program.

Non-attorney representatives must meet specified prerequisites in order to be paid directly by SSA out of

SSI applicants’ past-due benefits. These prerequisites include: (1) having a bachelor’s degree or equivalent

qualifications from training and work experience; (2) securing and maintaining adequate professional liability insurance; (3) passing a criminal background check; (4) passing an examination given by SSA that

tests knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Act and recent court decisions; and (5) demonstrating

ongoing completion of qualified courses of continuing education.

8. Advance Payments 

The SSI program has procedures that help to respond to the immediate needs of new claimants. These procedures are in addition to State and local programs designed to help those in need as they await decisions

on their SSI status. 

a. Emergency Advance Payments 

A new claimant who faces a financial emergency, and for whom there is a strong likelihood of being found

eligible, may receive up to 1 month of SSI benefits (i.e., the Federal payment amount plus any applicable

State supplement). We recover the amount paid from later SSI payments (in full from the first payment or

in increments over no more than a 6-month period depending upon the circumstances). However, if we

subsequently deny the claim because the claimant is not disabled or blind, we waive repayment. If we

deny the claim for other reasons, we treat the amount paid as an overpayment.

1 We do not need to authorize a fee when the representative informs us in a prescribed manner that a third-party entity will pay the representative’s fee and

the claimant and affected parties are not liable for it in any way. We also do not need to authorize a fee that the court authorized based on actions as a legal

guardian or court-appointed representative.

2 Public Law 108-203, enacted March 2, 2004, granted temporary extension of the attorney fee payment system to SSI claims for a period of 5 years. Public

Law 111-142, enacted February 27, 2010, made this extension permanent.
21

2013 SSI Annual Report

b. Presumptive Disability or Blindness 

A claimant applying for benefits based on disability or blindness may be paid up to 6 months of benefits

when the available evidence reflects a high degree of probability that his or her impairment will meet the

definition of disability or blindness and he or she is otherwise eligible for disability benefits. We do not

treat these payments as overpayments if we later determine that the individual is not disabled or blind. If

we disallow the claim for other reasons, the amount paid is an overpayment.

G. STATE SUPPLEMENTATION

In designing the SSI program, Congress recognized that States,1 in many instances, may want to provide a

higher level of income maintenance than that provided by the Federal program. At the same time the law

gave the States the option either to provide no supplementation to the Federal assistance payments or to

supplement those payments based on their views of the needs of their citizens. Lawmakers also mandated

that States not provide lower benefits under the Federal program than they had provided under the former

State program. The following paragraphs describe the various forms of State supplementation that currently exist. Table III.H1 summarizes State-specific participation in these programs as well as other programs requiring State and Federal coordination as discussed in section III.H.

1. Optional State Supplementation Programs 

For individuals who first became eligible for SSI in 1974 or later, each State could supplement Federal

payments to whatever extent it found appropriate with respect to the needs of its citizens and resources of

the State. Currently, 44 States and the District of Columbia have optional State supplementation programs.

Some States provide supplementary payments to all individuals eligible for SSI benefits while others limit

them to certain SSI recipients (e.g., the blind or residents of domiciliary-care facilities), or extend them to

persons ineligible for SSI because of excess income. Congress significantly restricted States’ flexibility in

setting supplementary payments, however, by the passalong provisions (see Passalong Provisions section

below).

2. Mandatory State Supplementation Programs 

Congress requires2 States to maintain the December 1973 income levels of individuals who were transferred in 1974 from the former State adult assistance programs to the SSI program, except for Texas,

which has a constitutional bar against mandatory State supplementation. Over the years, many individuals

who converted to SSI from the State benefit rolls have died and others have had their incomes increase

above the December 1973 level. As a result, few individuals continue to receive mandatory State supplementation payments.

3. Administration of State Supplementation Payments 

A State may administer its supplementary program or enter into an agreement under which SSA will make

eligibility determinations and payments on behalf of the State. Under State administration, the State pays

its own program benefits and absorbs the full administrative costs. Under Federal administration, States

are required to pay SSA a fee for each supplementary payment issued. In fiscal year 2013, the fee is

1 References to State include, in addition to the 50 States, the District of Columbia. The applicable State supplementation provisions would also apply to the

Northern Mariana Islands if it began making State supplementation payments.

2 Requirement does not affect West Virginia, since, in 1973, SSI Federal benefit rates exceeded the applicable income standards under the State’s adult

assistance programs.
2013 SSI Annual Report

22

$11.12 per payment issued. Fees increase in succeeding fiscal years based on increases in the Consumer

Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

States that administer their own supplementary payment programs to SSI recipients establish their own eligibility criteria for the supplementary payments. States with Federally-administered programs may supplement the Federal benefit among a limited number of geographical and living arrangement variations for

SSI recipients.1

4. Passalong Provisions

When the SSI program began in 1974, Congress did not require States to maintain their efforts with regard

to levels of State supplementation payments. However, in 1976, in reaction to States reducing their supplementary payment amounts when SSI payments increased, Congress mandated that States pass along SSI

benefit increases resulting from cost-of-living adjustments. 

To meet the passalong requirement, a State may either maintain each State payment level from year to

year—the “payment levels” method—or it may spend the same amount of money, in the aggregate, that it

spent for supplementary benefits in the 12-month period preceding the increase in the SSI benefit rate—

the “total expenditures” method. Currently, 39 States use the levels method and 8 States plus the District

of Columbia use the expenditure method. West Virginia has no optional supplementary plan and the legislation did not require it to establish a mandatory plan because Federal SSI income standards exceeded all

payments made under the State’s adult assistance programs in 1973. Arizona and North Dakota have no

optional supplementary plan and no mandatory minimum State supplementation recipients remaining.

H. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS

SSI benefits are not the only form of assistance available to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with limited means. Medicaid, nutrition benefits, and temporary State assistance are also important supports that

help prevent further impoverishment and improve health outcomes.

The SSI statute includes provisions that are intended to prevent duplication between SSI benefits and other

benefits that the Social Security program or States may provide. For example, the "windfall offset" prevents windfall payments to individuals entitled to receive Social Security and SSI payments for the same

period.

SSA also plays a limited but important role in helping States administer the Medicaid Program and the

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).2

1. Windfall Offset 

If a person receives SSI payments and we later determine that person is entitled to retroactive Social Security benefits, we reduce such retroactive Social Security benefits by the amount of SSI payments the person would not have been eligible for had the Social Security benefits been paid in the month they were

due. Congress enacted this “windfall offset” to prevent windfall payments to individuals entitled to receive

Social Security and SSI payments for the same period.

1 Includes, for this purpose, those eligible for SSI benefits but for income.

2 In 2008, the Food Stamp program changed its name to SNAP.
23

2013 SSI Annual Report

2. Interim Assistance Reimbursement

SSA may enter into agreements under which States or local governments are reimbursed for basic needs

assistance provided during the period that either an eligible individual’s SSI application for benefits was

pending or we suspended and subsequently reinstated the individual’s SSI benefits.

Under these interim assistance reimbursement agreements, if the individual has given SSA written authorization, SSA first reimburses the State, then pays the authorized representative’s fee, and pays the remainder in installments to the recipient or his or her representative payee. Thirty-seven States and the District

of Columbia have interim assistance agreements with SSA. 

3. Medicaid Determinations 

Most SSI recipients are categorically eligible for Medicaid. A State may either use SSI eligibility criteria

for determining Medicaid eligibility or use its own criteria as long as the criteria are no more restrictive

than the State’s January 1972 medical assistance standards. Thirty nine States and the District of Columbia

use SSI criteria and 11 States use eligibility criteria more restrictive than those of the SSI program. 

States also may enter into agreements with SSA for SSA to make Medicaid eligibility determinations on

their behalf for as long as the eligibility requirements of the State’s Medicaid plans match those for the SSI

program. Under these agreements, SSA determines only when an individual is eligible for Medicaid; SSA

does not determine Medicaid ineligibility. SSA has Medicaid determination agreements with 32 States and

the District of Columbia. 

The Act provides continued Medicaid eligibility for certain Social Security beneficiaries who lose SSI eligibility due to (1) entitlement to Social Security benefits; or (2) a change in Social Security benefits resulting from:

 • Cost-of-living adjustments;

 • Actuarial increases in disabled widow(er)’s benefits before age 60;

 • Changes in the definition of disability for widow(er)’s benefits; or

 • Increases in or entitlement to childhood disability benefits.

4. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Applications 

SSI recipients in all States, except California,1 may be eligible for SNAP benefits. Under agreements

entered into by the Department of Agriculture and SSA, Social Security offices notify Social Security and

SSI applicants and recipients of their potential benefits under the SNAP and make SNAP applications

available to them.

The law also provides for Social Security offices to take SNAP applications from eligible or potentially

eligible SSI households that are not already receiving nutrition benefits and do not have an application

pending. Social Security offices forward the SNAP applications and any supporting documents to the local

SNAP offices within 1 day of taking the application. The SNAP office determines eligibility for nutrition

benefits. 

1 California “cashes out” nutrition benefits and SSI recipients there receive a cash payment in their State supplementation payment in lieu of benefits.
2013 SSI Annual Report

24

Table III.H1.—SSI State Supplementationa and Coordination with Other Programs

a See body of text for description of the various forms of State supplementation.

 United States and 

District of Columbia

Optional State program—

Administered by:

Method of mandatory 

passalong of benefit 

increases from 

cost-of-living adjustments

Medicaid eligibility 

determination— Interim 

assistance 

reimbursement 

agreement 

with SSA

Based on: Agreement 

with SSA 

to 

determine 

State eligibility

Federal 

(SSA)

Federal 

& State

“Payment

levels”

“Total

expenditures

”

Federal 

criteria

State

criteria

Alabama b

b State has no recipients receiving mandatory minimum State supplementation.

* * ** Alaska * * * * Arizona b * ** Arkansas c

c Mandatory minimum State supplementation program is Federally-administered. No optional program.

* * * California d

d Mandatory minimum State supplementation program is Federally-administered.

* * * ** Colorado * * * * * Connecticut b * * ** Delaware d * * * * * District of Columbia d * ** * * Florida b * * * * * Georgia d * * * ** Hawaii b * * * * Idaho * ** Illinois * * * * Indiana b * * ** Iowa d * * * * * Kansas d * ** * Kentucky b * * * * * Louisiana d * * ** Maine * * * * * Maryland d * * * ** Massachusetts d * * * * * Michigan d * * * * * e

Minnesota b * * * * Mississippi c * ** Missouri * * * * Montana d * * * ** Nebraska * * * * Nevada b ** * * New Hampshire * * * * e

e State provides assistance only in initial application cases. No assistance provided during periods that SSI benefits are suspended or terminated.

New Jersey d * * * ** New Mexico * * * * * e

New York d ** * * * North Carolina * * * * * North Dakota b * Ohio d * * * * Oklahoma * ** Oregon * * * * Pennsylvania d ** * * * Rhode Island b * * * * * e

South Carolina b * * ** South Dakota d * * * * Tennessee c * ** Texas f

f State does not have a mandatory minimum State supplementation program.

* * * * Utah b ** * * Vermont b * * * * * Virginia b * * ** Washington * * * * * West Virginia f * * Wisconsin * * * * * Wyoming * * **

Total 31 7 7 39 9 40 11 33 38
25

2013 SSI Annual Report

IV. ESTIMATES OF PROGRAM RECIPIENTS AND FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM, 2013-37

As section III explains, an individual must meet certain requirements related to his or her income and

resources to be eligible for SSI payments. In addition, all persons under age 65, and certain individuals age

65 or older, must be blind or disabled. Consequently, future SSI program expenditures will depend on a

variety of difficult-to-predict factors, including the performance of national and local economies, distribution of personal income, the prevalence of disability in the general population, and the determination of

disability according to the definition in the Act. Nonetheless, for planning purposes we must develop the

best possible projections of future SSI program recipients and expenditures.

This section presents projections of program recipients and expenditures under the SSI program for a

period of 25 years. The projections rely on the intermediate demographic and economic assumptions

developed for the 2013 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the OASDI Trust Funds,1 and they

assume that the present statutory provisions and regulations under which the SSI program operates will

not change during the projection period. The current projection model starts with estimates of the general

population by single year of age and gender. We project transitions into SSI payment status separately for:

(1) new recipients resulting from an application for program benefits; and (2) returns to payment status

from suspended status. We project movements out of payment status separately for: (1) terminations due

to death; and (2) suspensions of payment for all other reasons.2 We reexamine and if warranted, revise the

assumptions and methods the model uses each year in light of recent experience and new information

about future conditions. 

A. DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS

We first present select demographic and economic projections from the 2013 Trustees Report that we used

for the SSI projections in this SSI Annual Report. The single economic parameter that has the most direct

effect on the level of SSI benefits is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (hereafter denoted as CPI),3 which is used for indexing the SSI Federal benefit rate. Sections V.A and

V.B of the Trustees Report present a detailed discussion of these demographic and economic projections.

An important feature of the intermediate assumptions in the 2013 Trustees Report is a gradual recovery

from the economic downturn that began in late 2007. This downturn generated a large increase in applications for SSI disability benefits, resulting in an increase in projected SSI expenditures. We expect the level

of applications to decline over the next several years as the economy recovers.

The following two tables summarize two key parameters underlying the estimates in this report. Table

IV.A1 presents population projections by selected age subgroups that are consistent with the presentation

of SSI recipient projections in the next section. Table IV.A2 presents a complete history of the cost-of-living adjustment factors and Federal benefit rates since the inception of the program, along with projections

of such amounts consistent with the economic assumptions underlying the SSI expenditure estimates in

section IV.C.

1 House Document 113-33 published June 10, 2013.

2 The two main reasons other than death for termination of SSI payments are: (1) failure to satisfy income and resource limitations of the SSI program;

and (2) recovery from a qualifying disability.

3 Historical values of the CPI are developed and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2013 SSI Annual Report

26

Notes: 1. Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

2. Historical data are estimated and subject to revision.

Table IV.A1.—Historical and Projected Social Security Area Population based on the 

Intermediate Assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report, as of July 1, 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Year

Age groups a

a Age as of last birthday.

Total

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74 75 or older all ages

Historical data:

1974 .................. 71,012 59,833 36,386 32,823 13,862 8,917 222,833

1975 .................. 70,011 61,815 36,360 33,185 14,175 9,141 224,687

1976 .................. 68,983 63,743 36,474 33,466 14,495 9,416 226,576

1977 .................. 68,072 65,469 36,803 33,739 14,828 9,682 228,594

1978 .................. 67,254 67,051 37,342 33,978 15,181 9,935 230,741

1979 .................. 66,536 68,641 37,962 34,137 15,511 10,211 232,999

1980 .................. 65,982 70,196 38,520 34,256 15,813 10,495 235,263

1981 .................. 65,570 71,431 39,328 34,318 16,089 10,793 237,529

1982 .................. 65,269 72,152 40,701 34,269 16,367 11,112 239,870

1983 .................. 65,096 72,620 42,251 34,175 16,607 11,436 242,186

1984 .................. 65,082 72,979 43,747 34,082 16,828 11,743 244,461

1985 .................. 65,243 73,199 45,255 33,946 17,097 12,048 246,788

1986 .................. 65,490 73,316 46,821 33,778 17,403 12,350 249,158

1987 .................. 65,723 73,379 48,460 33,659 17,683 12,646 251,550

1988 .................. 65,961 73,422 50,134 33,624 17,915 12,943 253,999

1989 .................. 66,352 73,314 51,875 33,675 18,105 13,263 256,584

1990 .................. 67,191 72,935 53,659 33,790 18,329 13,606 259,510

1991 .................. 68,382 72,304 55,454 33,994 18,599 13,942 262,676

1992 .................. 69,561 71,551 57,170 34,420 18,829 14,279 265,811

1993 .................. 70,636 70,831 58,738 35,043 18,998 14,606 268,852

1994 .................. 71,578 70,121 60,334 35,696 19,105 14,932 271,766

1995 .................. 72,351 69,446 62,026 36,299 19,149 15,285 274,557

1996 .................. 72,964 68,912 63,462 37,154 19,128 15,652 277,271

1997 .................. 73,390 68,566 64,430 38,494 19,056 16,019 279,955

1998 .................. 73,653 68,411 65,246 40,007 18,946 16,359 282,622

1999 .................. 73,852 68,373 66,056 41,496 18,823 16,669 285,269

2000 .................. 74,159 68,518 66,693 43,016 18,743 16,950 288,080

2001 .................. 74,547 68,859 67,109 44,567 18,704 17,202 290,988

2002 .................. 74,896 69,198 67,297 46,181 18,713 17,423 293,708

2003 .................. 75,209 69,524 67,326 47,845 18,794 17,625 296,322

2004 .................. 75,515 69,813 67,322 49,567 18,954 17,838 299,009

2005 .................. 75,828 70,039 67,330 51,325 19,190 18,040 301,752

2006 .................. 76,157 70,326 67,235 53,060 19,538 18,221 304,538

2007 .................. 76,440 70,850 66,870 54,714 20,083 18,396 307,354

2008 .................. 76,579 71,629 66,266 56,248 20,803 18,534 310,058

2009 .................. 76,558 72,492 65,565 57,769 21,543 18,686 312,611

2010 .................. 76,419 73,311 64,838 59,349 22,208 18,886 315,012

2011................... 76,232 74,038 64,159 60,716 23,038 19,101 317,285

2012 .................. 76,132 74,684 63,603 61,657 24,222 19,352 319,650

Projected:

2013 .................. 76,174 75,267 63,173 62,454 25,465 19,656 322,190

2014 .................. 76,329 75,755 62,911 63,248 26,605 19,999 324,847

2015 .................. 76,564 76,150 62,891 63,874 27,726 20,381 327,585

2016 .................. 76,871 76,532 63,093 64,266 28,827 20,833 330,423

2017 .................. 77,233 76,957 63,429 64,466 29,870 21,408 333,364

2018 .................. 77,651 77,449 63,776 64,555 30,879 22,091 336,400

2019 .................. 78,166 77,955 64,050 64,612 31,956 22,780 339,519

2020 .................. 78,752 78,364 64,254 64,677 33,133 23,425 342,604

2021 .................. 79,347 78,725 64,496 64,654 34,189 24,231 345,643

2022 .................. 79,908 79,066 64,929 64,384 34,974 25,351 348,612

2023 .................. 80,435 79,334 65,600 63,895 35,694 26,538 351,496

2024 .................. 80,918 79,530 66,452 63,322 36,469 27,649 354,341

2025 .................. 81,345 79,670 67,414 62,719 37,240 28,754 357,142

2026 .................. 81,778 79,768 68,387 62,134 37,948 29,880 359,895

2027 .................. 82,293 79,822 69,260 61,638 38,545 31,038 362,595

2028 .................. 82,933 79,808 69,990 61,250 39,024 32,231 365,237

2029 .................. 83,662 79,757 70,552 61,019 39,360 33,463 367,814

2030 .................. 84,381 79,761 70,954 61,014 39,498 34,715 370,323

2031 .................. 85,045 79,842 71,268 61,212 39,419 35,974 372,760

2032 .................. 85,641 79,983 71,555 61,525 39,177 37,242 375,125

2033 .................. 86,161 80,174 71,869 61,842 38,887 38,484 377,418

2034 .................. 86,595 80,404 72,233 62,084 38,644 39,681 379,640

2035 .................. 86,938 80,686 72,598 62,274 38,456 40,843 381,795

2036 .................. 87,198 81,067 72,911 62,514 38,252 41,946 383,887

2037 .................. 87,386 81,547 73,165 62,943 37,917 42,961 385,918
27

2013 SSI Annual Report

Table IV.A2.—SSI Federal Benefit Rate Increases and Levels: Historical and Projected on the Basis of the Intermediate

Assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report, 1974-2037

Year

Benefit rate

increase a

a Increases prior to 1984 were effective for the payment due on July 1 of the year. Increases shown for 1984 and later are effective for the payment due on

January 1 of the year.

Federal benefit rate

Individual Couple Essential person b

b A concept carried over from the former State assistance plans. Fewer than 50 of those cases currently remain.

Historical data:

Initial benefit paid January 1, 1974 c ...............

c SSA paid benefits in January 1974 using the Federal benefit rates established by Public Law 92-603, enacted October 30, 1972: $130.00 for individuals;

$195.00 for couples; and $65.00 for essential persons. SSA subsequently made retroactive payments to adjust initial payments to the higher Federal benefit

rates established by Public Law 93-233, enacted December 31, 1973.

— $140.00 $210.00 $70.00

1974....................................................... d 4.3%

d Ad hoc increases as specified in the law.

146.00 219.00 73.00

1975....................................................... 8.0 157.70 236.60 78.90

1976....................................................... 6.4 167.80 251.80 84.00

1977....................................................... 5.9 177.80 266.70 89.00

1978....................................................... 6.5 189.40 284.10 94.80

1979....................................................... 9.9 208.20 312.30 104.20

1980....................................................... 14.3 238.00 357.00 119.20

1981....................................................... 11.2 264.70 397.00 132.60

1982....................................................... 7.4 284.30 426.40 142.50

1983....................................................... d 7.0 304.30 456.40 152.50

1984....................................................... 3.5 314.00 472.00 157.00

1985....................................................... 3.5 325.00 488.00 163.00

1986....................................................... 3.1 336.00 504.00 168.00

1987....................................................... 1.3 340.00 510.00 170.00

1988....................................................... 4.2 354.00 532.00 177.00

1989....................................................... 4.0 368.00 553.00 184.00

1990....................................................... 4.7 386.00 579.00 193.00

1991....................................................... 5.4 407.00 610.00 204.00

1992....................................................... 3.7 422.00 633.00 211.00

1993....................................................... 3.0 434.00 652.00 217.00

1994....................................................... 2.6 446.00 669.00 223.00

1995....................................................... 2.8 458.00 687.00 229.00

1996....................................................... 2.6 470.00 705.00 235.00

1997....................................................... 2.9 484.00 726.00 242.00

1998....................................................... 2.1 494.00 741.00 247.00

1999....................................................... 1.3 500.00 751.00 250.00

2000....................................................... e 2.5

e Originally determined as 2.4 percent, but pursuant to Public Law 106-554, enacted December 21, 2000, is effectively now 2.5 percent.

f

 513.00

f SSA originally paid benefits in 2000 and through July 2001 based on Federal benefit rates of $512.00 and $530.00, respectively. Pursuant to Public Law

106-554, beginning in August 2001 SSA made monthly payments based on the higher $531 amount. SSA made lump-sum compensation payments based on

an adjusted benefit rate for months prior to August 2001.

769.00 257.00

2001....................................................... 3.5 f 531.00 796.00 266.00

2002....................................................... 2.6 545.00 817.00 273.00

2003....................................................... 1.4 552.00 829.00 277.00

2004....................................................... 2.1 564.00 846.00 282.00

2005....................................................... 2.7 579.00 869.00 290.00

2006....................................................... 4.1 603.00 904.00 302.00

2007....................................................... 3.3 623.00 934.00 312.00

2008....................................................... 2.3 637.00 956.00 319.00

2009....................................................... 5.8 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

2010....................................................... 0.0 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

2011....................................................... 0.0 674.00 1,011.00 338.00

2012....................................................... 3.6 698.00 1,048.00 350.00

2013....................................................... 1.7 710.00 1,066.00 356.00

Projected:

2014....................................................... 2.0 724.00 1,087.00 363.00

2015....................................................... 2.0 739.00 1,109.00 370.00

2016....................................................... 2.5 757.00 1,136.00 379.00

2017....................................................... 2.6 777.00 1,166.00 389.00

2018....................................................... 2.7 798.00 1,197.00 400.00

2019....................................................... 2.8 821.00 1,231.00 411.00

2020....................................................... 2.8 844.00 1,265.00 422.00

2021....................................................... 2.8 867.00 1,301.00 434.00

2022....................................................... 2.8 891.00 1,337.00 447.00

2023....................................................... 2.8 916.00 1,375.00 459.00

2024....................................................... 2.8 942.00 1,413.00 472.00

2025....................................................... 2.8 969.00 1,453.00 485.00

2026....................................................... 2.8 996.00 1,494.00 499.00

2027....................................................... 2.8 1,024.00 1,535.00 513.00

2028....................................................... 2.8 1,052.00 1,578.00 527.00

2029....................................................... 2.8 1,082.00 1,623.00 542.00

2030....................................................... 2.8 1,112.00 1,668.00 557.00

2031....................................................... 2.8 1,143.00 1,715.00 573.00

2032....................................................... 2.8 1,175.00 1,763.00 589.00

2033....................................................... 2.8 1,208.00 1,812.00 605.00

2034....................................................... 2.8 1,242.00 1,863.00 622.00

2035....................................................... 2.8 1,277.00 1,915.00 640.00

2036....................................................... 2.8 1,312.00 1,969.00 657.00

2037....................................................... 2.8 1,349.00 2,024.00 676.00
2013 SSI Annual Report

28

The adjustment to the monthly Federal benefit rate in January of each year reflects the increase in the CPI,

generally from the third quarter of the second prior calendar year to the third quarter of the prior calendar

year. This cost-of-living adjustment is identical to the adjustment applied to Social Security benefits under

the OASDI program after initial benefit eligibility. In previous years, the Federal benefit rate was subject

to occasional ad hoc increases, either in place of or in addition to the automatic adjustments. Table V.A1

presents a history of legislation affecting the Federal benefit rate. It is worth noting that the Federal benefit

rate did not increase in 2010 or 2011; table IV.A2 shows the increases for January 1, 2010 and January 1,

2011 as 0.0 percent. This unusual situation occurred because the CPI in both the third quarter of 2009 and

the third quarter of 2010 was below the actual level achieved in the third quarter of 2008. In the third quarter of 2011, the CPI exceeded the CPI for the third quarter of 2008 by 3.6 percent, resulting in a Federal

benefit rate increase of 3.6 percent for January 1, 2012.
29

2013 SSI Annual Report

B. NUMBERS OF SSI PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

This section presents projections of the numbers of persons receiving Federal SSI payments by category

and age group.1 The SSI recipient categories of: (1) aged; or (2) blind or disabled identify the criteria

under which the recipient established eligibility for SSI benefits. The following paragraphs discuss the

recipient categories in more detail.

 • Aged recipients establish their eligibility for SSI benefits by meeting the age-65-or-older requirement2 and other SSI eligibility requirements. In December 2012, 1.2 million aged individuals

received Federally-administered SSI payments. 

 • Blind or disabled recipients establish their eligibility for SSI benefits by meeting the definition of

blindness or disability and the applicable income and resource limits as well as any other SSI eligibility requirements. In December 2012, there were 7.1 million blind or disabled recipients of Federallyadministered SSI payments. These recipients can fall into two subcategories based on age: blind or

disabled adults (age 18 or older) and blind or disabled children (under age 18). 

 — Blind or disabled adults meet the definition of blindness or disability for individuals age 18 or

older and SSI income and resource limits. Students age 18 to 21 must meet the adult definition of

disability; they differ from other adults only in that they qualify for a special student earned

income exclusion. When blind or disabled adult recipients reach age 65, we generally continue

to classify them as blind or disabled adults (rather than aged). In December 2012, 5.8 million

blind or disabled individuals age 18 or older received Federally-administered SSI payments,

including 925 thousand disabled or blind recipients age 65 or older.

 — Blind or disabled children meet the definition of blindness or disability for individuals under age

18. These children are subject to parent-to-child deeming until they reach the age of 18. At age

18 these individuals continue to be eligible for SSI if they meet the definition of blindness or disability for individuals age 18 or older as well as other eligibility criteria. We reclassify those who

continue to be eligible after age 18 as blind or disabled adults. In December 2012, 1.3 million

blind or disabled individuals under age 18 received Federally-administered SSI payments.

Table IV.B1 presents historical and projected numbers of persons applying for SSI benefits by calendar

year. Figure IV.B1 presents the same information as a graph. Following a 4-year period in the mid-2000s

when applications remained fairly level at 2.1 million per year, applications started increasing in 2008,

largely due to the severe economic recession that began at the end of 2007 and continued into 2009. The

level of applications, which continued to increase through 2010, decreased only slightly in 2011 as the

economy recovered slowly but decreased at a faster rate in 2012 as the economic recovery continued. We

are projecting that applications will decline to 2.1 million in 2018 and remain at that lower level through

2022, reflecting the impact of individuals coming on the SSI rolls earlier due to the economic downturn,

and then grow slightly, leveling off at about 2.2 million per year in 2024. This leveling off of the projected

applications is a significant change from the projected applications in the 2012 SSI Annual Report where

we estimated that applications would grow roughly in line with the overall population after a period of

economic recovery.

This change in the projected ultimate growth pattern of the applications is due to two improvements in our

projection methodology designed to make the projections more consistent with the assumptions underlying the OASDI Trustees Report. First, we reduced application growth due to the expectation that the portion of the population that meets SSI income and resource requirements will decline over time as the CPI,

and therefore the SSI Federal benefit rate, is projected to grow at a slower rate than average wages and

1 We project recipient flows on a calendar-year-age basis, with activity throughout a given year tabulated according to age at the end of the calendar year.

Tabulations of recipients in current-payment status are provided as of December of each calendar year at which time calendar year of age and age last birthday are the same. However, we summarize the tabulations that reflect activity throughout the calendar year according to calendar year of age, and thus they

will not correspond precisely to tabulations summarized according to age last birthday. For example, applications for the 0-17 age group for a given calendar

year include applications only for those individuals who are under 18 at the end of the calendar year.

2 Individuals may apply for SSI benefits based on age as of the day preceding their 65th birthday.
2013 SSI Annual Report

30

income generally. Second, we further adjusted the growth in applications to reflect the slower growth projected for the portion of the Social Security area population composed of U.S. citizens or legal immigrants

as compared to the overall population because SSI recipients must come from this portion of the population.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B1.—SSI Federally-Administered Applications,a Calendar Years 1974-2037

[In thousands]

a Based on data reported in the Integrated Workload Management System (formerly known as the District Office Workload Report).

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 b, c ...

b “All” column estimated by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics using a 10-percent sample and published in the SSI Annual Statistical

Report.

c Includes conversions from State programs and applications received in 1973.

125 590 626 1,303 158 20 1,434 1,496 2,822 2,931 5,752

1975 b....... 94 276 258 443 15 d

d Fewer than 500.

238 145 1,086 382 1,468

1976 ......... 82 260 250 384 8 d 175 80 984 254 1,239

1977 ......... 100 286 246 401 7 1 174 84 1,040 259 1,298

1978 ......... 94 276 256 413 7 d 170 88 1,046 258 1,304

1979 ......... 106 282 268 426 7 d 178 84 1,090 262 1,352

1980 ......... 122 310 272 438 8 1 187 89 1,151 276 1,427

1981 ......... 78 206 173 271 5 d 88 42 733 130 864

1982 ......... 88 246 206 278 11 1 93 48 830 141 971

1983 ......... 102 258 225 311 5 1 122 68 902 190 1,092

1984 ......... 103 267 247 321 7 d 178 108 944 286 1,230

1985 ......... 114 294 297 409 7 d 151 73 1,122 223 1,345

1986 ......... 122 316 334 426 7 1 150 81 1,205 231 1,437

1987 ......... 108 287 299 331 7 1 134 66 1,033 200 1,233

1988 ......... 114 282 301 317 7 1 131 69 1,021 200 1,221

1989 ......... 116 297 323 329 7 d 146 76 1,072 222 1,294

1990 ......... 149 335 380 356 6 d 156 71 1,226 227 1,454

1991 ......... 237 391 453 391 7 d 159 68 1,479 227 1,706

1992 ......... 339 453 522 407 8 d 163 64 1,728 226 1,955

1993 ......... 473 506 570 416 7 d 158 61 1,973 218 2,191

1994 ......... 517 492 571 402 6 d 136 52 1,989 188 2,177

1995 ......... 473 435 524 363 6 d 121 44 1,801 165 1,966

1996 ......... 431 393 500 345 9 1 108 44 1,678 153 1,831

1997 ......... 306 317 438 307 8 1 82 35 1,377 117 1,494

1998 ......... 318 317 453 331 9 1 96 39 1,428 136 1,563

1999 ......... 338 317 470 336 6 d 107 39 1,468 145 1,614

2000 ......... 337 321 486 341 6 d 102 39 1,493 140 1,633

2001 ......... 351 346 502 354 4 d 98 35 1,558 134 1,691

2002 ......... 385 388 550 384 4 d 105 38 1,711 142 1,853

2003 ......... 400 404 565 408 4 d 100 36 1,781 135 1,916

2004 ......... 420 438 604 452 4 d 101 37 1,919 138 2,057

2005 ......... 429 439 604 477 5 d 112 44 1,954 156 2,110

2006 ......... 415 437 584 484 4 d 109 41 1,925 150 2,075

2007 ......... 421 442 578 502 5 d 105 39 1,948 143 2,091

2008 ......... 434 482 593 535 5 d 109 38 2,048 147 2,195

2009 ......... 497 578 666 612 5 d 110 37 2,359 147 2,506

2010 ......... 503 599 666 645 5 1 110 38 2,419 148 2,567

2011 ......... 498 588 646 662 6 1 114 39 2,400 153 2,553

2012 ......... 474 555 605 651 5 1 111 36 2,291 147 2,438

Projected:

2013 ......... 448 508 570 609 7 d 115 37 2,142 152 2,294

2014 ......... 452 513 575 604 6 d 121 38 2,150 159 2,309

2015 ......... 436 501 559 590 6 d 125 39 2,093 164 2,256

2016 ......... 424 486 542 572 6 d 128 40 2,030 168 2,198

2017 ......... 413 472 528 553 6 d 132 41 1,971 173 2,144

2018 ......... 407 462 518 540 6 d 135 42 1,934 177 2,111

2019 ......... 405 457 512 532 6 d 139 43 1,913 183 2,095

2020 ......... 407 456 510 529 7 d 143 44 1,908 188 2,096

2021 ......... 410 457 511 526 7 d 146 46 1,910 193 2,103

2022 ......... 416 463 519 526 7 d 149 48 1,931 197 2,128

2023 ......... 425 471 533 527 7 d 151 50 1,964 201 2,165

2024 ......... 430 474 542 522 7 d 153 52 1,975 205 2,180

2025 ......... 431 473 548 513 7 d 155 54 1,972 209 2,182

2026 ......... 432 471 554 505 7 d 156 56 1,970 212 2,183

2027 ......... 434 470 558 500 7 d 157 57 1,968 215 2,183

2028 ......... 436 467 562 496 7 d 158 59 1,967 217 2,184

2029 ......... 437 465 563 494 7 d 157 61 1,966 218 2,184

2030 ......... 439 463 564 493 7 d 155 63 1,966 218 2,184

2031 ......... 439 462 564 494 6 d 152 65 1,966 217 2,183

2032 ......... 440 461 565 494 6 d 150 67 1,966 217 2,183

2033 ......... 440 461 565 494 6 d 148 69 1,967 217 2,184

2034 ......... 440 461 567 494 6 d 148 70 1,968 218 2,186

2035 ......... 439 462 567 495 6 d 147 72 1,970 219 2,189

2036 ......... 438 463 568 497 6 d 146 73 1,972 219 2,191

2037 ......... 437 464 567 500 6 d 142 74 1,975 217 2,191
31

2013 SSI Annual Report

As part of SSA’s adjudication of these applications, we evaluate levels of income and resources available

to the applicants as well as other eligibility factors including marital and citizenship status and living

arrangements. In addition, well over 90 percent of the SSI applications are for disability benefits that

require the DDS to evaluate the alleged impairment. Applicants may appeal an unfavorable disability

determination through several administrative levels of appeal. If an applicant exhausts all administrative

levels of appeal, he or she may appeal to the Federal courts.1

Table IV.B2 and figure IV.B2 present historical and projected numbers of persons who start receiving SSI

payments as a result of this decision process. We count individuals as of the first month that they move

into SSI payment status. For this reason, we refer to these individuals as “new recipients” rather than

“awards.”2 From 2004 to 2007, the numbers of new recipients remained fairly level, roughly consistent

with the applications received during this period. Starting in 2008, however, the numbers of new recipients

increased substantially. This increase is attributable to: (1) the sharp increase in applications due to the

economic downturn; (2) improvements in claims processing; and (3) initiatives to accelerate the processing of cases pending adjudication.

 Figure IV.B1.—SSI Federally-Administered Applications by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040

[In thousands]

1 See section V.C for data on recent experience in the disability decision process.

2 In addition, these counts differ slightly from other similar totals identified as “awards” and published by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics

(ORES) in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin. The ORES totals are similar in concept to those used in this report, but differ

slightly due to the timing of the action being tabulated. For example, ORES does not count a disability benefit as being awarded until the disability decision

is made. In contrast, under the procedures used in this report, individuals first coming on the SSI rolls through a finding of presumptive disability would be

counted as a “new recipient” in the first month of presumptive disability payment.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

Historical Projected

75 or older
2013 SSI Annual Report

32

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B2.—SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients, Calendar Years 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Calendar year a

a Represents period in which first payment was made, not date of first eligibility for payments.

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals b

b Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 c ......

c Totals for 1974 include recipients converted from previous State programs as well as new recipients to the SSI program during 1974.

63 390 381 925 141 18 1,211 1,268 1,919 2,479 4,398

1975......... 58 133 105 272 16 d

d Fewer than 500.

216 131 584 347 931

1976......... 43 105 88 207 9 d 147 70 452 218 669

1977......... 48 104 84 184 8 1 140 69 429 209 637

1978......... 43 92 76 154 6 d 127 66 370 193 563

1979......... 44 87 62 133 4 d 116 53 330 169 499

1980......... 41 92 61 142 4 d 125 59 341 184 524

1981......... 37 77 49 106 3 d 80 37 272 117 389

1982......... 38 63 51 90 4 d 72 31 245 103 348

1983......... 47 88 62 117 3 d 95 51 317 146 463

1984......... 47 109 78 142 4 d 131 78 380 209 589

1985......... 48 104 80 148 4 d 106 46 384 152 536

1986......... 55 127 109 153 5 d 110 51 449 161 610

1987......... 48 119 106 157 5 d 116 52 435 167 602

1988......... 50 101 108 146 5 1 112 56 412 167 579

1989......... 48 113 115 155 5 d 127 62 436 189 625

1990......... 76 136 134 182 5 d 149 66 533 215 748

1991......... 126 146 172 200 6 d 139 54 650 193 844

1992......... 221 199 221 233 6 d 133 48 881 181 1,062

1993......... 235 194 221 225 6 d 136 49 881 185 1,066

1994......... 204 164 207 215 6 d 116 42 796 157 953

1995......... 177 147 207 218 5 d 105 36 755 141 895

1996......... 145 134 193 203 6 1 93 35 681 128 809

1997......... 116 111 171 178 4 d 68 25 580 93 673

1998......... 135 117 181 194 7 1 78 30 634 108 742

1999......... 140 114 186 195 5 d 88 33 640 120 760

2000......... 145 112 180 191 5 d 84 31 633 115 748

2001......... 157 121 185 198 4 d 79 28 665 107 772

2002......... 171 128 195 212 4 d 82 29 710 111 821

2003......... 180 132 194 214 4 d 77 27 724 104 828

2004......... 183 138 202 231 4 d 78 27 757 105 862

2005......... 178 131 192 238 4 d 81 29 744 111 854

2006......... 175 128 190 243 3 d 81 28 739 109 849

2007......... 172 128 186 252 3 d 75 27 741 103 844

2008......... 183 146 204 289 4 d 79 26 825 105 930

2009......... 198 161 214 322 4 d 80 26 900 106 1,006

2010......... 205 173 221 346 4 d 80 26 949 106 1,055

2011......... 202 163 206 356 4 d 83 27 932 110 1,042

2012......... 190 148 181 340 4 d 85 25 863 110 973

Projected:

2013......... 187 140 176 331 6 d 92 26 840 118 958

2014......... 181 139 175 318 5 d 93 26 818 120 938

2015......... 178 138 174 313 6 d 95 27 809 122 931

2016......... 175 138 174 305 6 d 97 28 797 125 922

2017......... 171 138 173 294 6 d 99 28 782 128 910

2018......... 170 137 171 287 6 d 101 30 771 131 902

2019......... 173 139 173 288 6 d 106 31 781 137 918

2020......... 171 136 169 281 6 d 107 31 764 138 902

2021......... 172 136 169 279 6 d 109 32 764 141 905

2022......... 174 138 171 278 7 d 111 34 768 145 913

2023......... 177 139 175 277 7 d 112 35 776 147 923

2024......... 182 143 181 279 7 d 116 37 792 153 945

2025......... 180 140 180 270 7 d 115 38 776 153 929

2026......... 180 139 181 265 7 d 116 39 773 155 927

2027......... 180 139 183 262 7 d 116 40 770 156 927

2028......... 181 138 184 259 7 d 116 42 768 158 926

2029......... 181 137 184 258 7 d 116 43 767 158 925

2030......... 185 139 188 262 6 d 116 45 781 161 942

2031......... 182 136 185 257 6 d 112 46 767 158 924

2032......... 182 136 185 257 6 d 110 47 765 157 922

2033......... 182 136 185 256 6 d 109 48 765 156 921

2034......... 181 136 186 256 6 d 108 49 765 157 922

2035......... 181 136 186 257 6 d 108 50 766 157 924

2036......... 184 139 190 263 6 d 108 52 782 160 942

2037......... 180 137 186 259 6 d 104 51 767 155 922
33

2013 SSI Annual Report

The numbers of new recipients declined slightly in 2011 and more sharply in 2012, similar to the change

in applications. Consistent with the pattern of projected applications, we project the total number of new

recipients to continue to decline from the peak in 2010 and then to reach a relative low point by 2020.

Over the longer term, we project the number of new recipients to level off and remain essentially level

throughout the projection period. These projected new recipients reflect the adjustments to the projected

applications to make them more consistent with the assumptions underlying the OASDI Trustees Report. 

Some persons receiving SSI benefits in a year will stop receiving payments during the year because of

death or the loss of SSI eligibility. A recipient can lose eligibility in two ways: (1) a nonmedical redetermination; or (2) a continuing disability review (CDR).1 In a redetermination, we reexamine the recipient's

nonmedical factors of eligibility, including income and resources. In a CDR, we determine whether the

recipient continues to meet the Social Security Act's definition of disability. For example, disabled children, upon attainment of age 18, lose eligibility if they do not qualify for benefits under the disabled adult

eligibility criteria. We refer to the net reduction in the number of SSI recipients in current-payment status

during a period as the number of SSI terminations for that period. 

In the following tables, we have separated the numbers of persons moving out of payment status into terminations due to death (table IV.B3), as well as terminations for all other reasons (table IV.B4). Table

IV.B5 and figure IV.B3 present historical and projected numbers of total terminations by calendar year.

The overall total number of terminations in 2012 decreased by about 2 percent from 2011. This decrease in

the number of Federally-administered terminations is due in part to a decrease in the number of terminations for State recipients not receiving Federal benefits. In addition, some of the decrease is attributable to

a decrease in the number of new SSI recipients concurrently eligible for OASDI disability benefits who

 Figure IV.B2.—SSI Federally-Administered New Recipients by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040

[In thousands]

1 We present some historical details on income and resource redeterminations and the results of continuing disability reviews in section V.D. Section V.E

presents information on certain incentive programs intended to encourage disabled SSI recipients to return to work.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older

Historical Projected
2013 SSI Annual Report

34

received SSI benefits only temporarily during the 5-month SSDI waiting period due to the 2012 decrease

in new recipients.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B3.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Deatha, Calendar Years 1974-2037

[In thousands]

a Terminations where the death of the SSI recipient was recorded in SSA administrative systems as of the first month of nonpayment of SSI benefits.

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals b

b Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... c

c Fewer than 500.

3 8 34 7 2 40 97 55 137 192

1975 ......... 1 5 12 35 10 2 39 108 65 147 212

1976 ......... 2 5 9 36 12 1 34 103 64 137 201

1977 ......... 1 5 12 30 15 1 36 101 65 137 203

1978 ......... 2 5 8 34 16 2 31 95 67 126 193

1979 ......... 2 6 9 32 18 2 29 92 67 121 189

1980 ......... 3 5 9 31 22 1 27 100 71 127 198

1981 ......... 3 5 8 31 24 2 21 92 73 112 186

1982 ......... 3 4 8 28 21 2 16 80 65 96 161

1983 ......... 3 6 8 25 21 3 15 79 65 94 158

1984 ......... 3 4 9 29 18 5 13 83 67 96 163

1985 ......... 2 6 10 29 24 6 17 84 77 101 178

1986 ......... 2 8 12 28 22 8 15 83 80 98 178

1987 ......... 3 8 13 30 23 10 15 82 87 97 184

1988 ......... 5 8 14 31 25 12 16 81 95 97 191

1989 ......... 3 8 16 33 23 12 15 78 95 93 187

1990 ......... 4 9 18 36 22 14 16 75 103 92 194

1991 ......... 4 9 20 39 23 17 17 74 112 91 203

1992 ......... 4 11 22 38 22 15 16 69 111 84 195

1993 ......... 6 13 27 41 23 17 16 72 127 88 215

1994 ......... 6 14 27 41 23 17 16 69 127 85 212

1995 ......... 6 13 30 43 24 18 16 65 135 81 216

1996 ......... 7 12 30 44 24 18 16 67 135 83 218

1997 ......... 5 10 24 43 24 19 15 64 127 79 206

1998 ......... 5 9 24 43 25 20 14 64 127 78 205

1999 ......... 5 9 25 45 25 21 13 63 131 76 207

2000 ......... 5 8 27 46 25 21 12 61 132 73 205

2001 ......... 5 8 28 47 25 22 11 60 135 71 207

2002 ......... 5 8 28 49 24 21 11 58 135 70 205

2003 ......... 5 9 28 51 26 21 10 56 138 66 204

2004 ......... 5 8 27 52 25 22 10 56 140 65 205

2005 ......... 5 8 28 54 25 22 9 54 141 63 204

2006 ......... 5 8 27 55 25 22 9 54 143 62 205

2007 ......... 5 8 26 57 25 23 8 54 145 62 207

2008 ......... 5 8 25 60 25 21 8 53 144 62 206

2009 ......... 5 9 25 64 26 22 8 52 150 60 210

2010 ......... 4 8 22 63 26 22 8 50 146 58 204

2011 ......... 5 9 21 66 26 23 8 50 149 58 207

2012 ......... 5 9 22 69 27 23 8 51 154 58 212

Projected:

2013 ......... 5 10 22 72 28 24 7 49 160 56 216

2014 ......... 4 10 22 74 28 25 8 48 163 55 218

2015 ......... 4 10 21 75 29 25 8 48 164 56 220

2016 ......... 4 10 21 75 30 25 8 48 165 56 221

2017 ......... 4 10 21 74 31 26 8 48 165 56 221

2018 ......... 4 10 20 73 32 26 8 48 165 56 221

2019 ......... 4 10 20 71 34 26 8 48 165 56 221

2020 ......... 4 10 20 70 35 27 8 48 165 56 221

2021 ......... 4 10 20 69 36 27 9 48 165 56 221

2022 ......... 4 10 20 67 37 28 9 48 165 57 222

2023 ......... 4 10 20 66 38 28 9 48 165 57 222

2024 ......... 4 9 20 64 39 29 9 49 166 57 223

2025 ......... 4 9 20 63 39 30 9 49 166 58 224

2026 ......... 4 9 20 62 40 31 9 50 166 59 225

2027 ......... 4 9 21 61 40 32 9 50 166 59 226

2028 ......... 3 9 21 60 39 34 9 51 166 60 226

2029 ......... 3 9 21 59 39 35 9 52 166 61 227

2030 ......... 3 9 21 59 38 36 9 53 167 62 228

2031 ......... 3 9 21 59 37 38 9 54 167 63 229

2032 ......... 3 9 20 58 36 39 9 55 167 64 231

2033 ......... 3 9 20 58 36 40 8 56 167 65 231

2034 ......... 3 9 20 58 35 42 8 58 167 66 232

2035 ......... 3 9 20 57 34 43 8 59 167 67 233

2036 ......... 3 9 20 57 33 44 8 60 167 68 235

2037 ......... 3 9 20 57 33 45 8 61 167 69 236
35

2013 SSI Annual Report

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B4.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations Due to Reasons Other Than Death, Calendar Years 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals a

a Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 5 33 34 69 12 2 27 29 154 56 210

1975 ......... 7 50 44 104 15 2 88 91 221 180 401

1976 ......... 11 70 61 139 24 1 107 133 306 240 546

1977 ......... 13 65 56 110 19 1 76 92 265 168 433

1978 ......... 11 64 49 97 18 1 64 86 241 150 391

1979 ......... 12 59 43 96 23 1 58 85 234 144 378

1980 ......... 19 48 43 80 23 1 44 77 214 121 334

1981 ......... 17 43 39 72 21 1 49 86 192 134 326

1982 ......... 19 48 43 79 23 1 50 87 212 137 348

1983 ......... 18 43 36 63 14 1 25 61 175 86 261

1984 ......... 13 51 37 77 21 1 37 60 200 98 298

1985 ......... 11 42 37 68 13 2 23 54 172 77 249

1986 ......... 18 49 47 73 16 3 34 60 206 94 300

1987 ......... 19 51 48 75 17 3 32 57 214 89 302

1988 ......... 19 52 51 74 15 5 33 59 216 93 309

1989 ......... 19 55 52 72 16 4 33 58 218 91 308

1990 ......... 14 52 57 73 17 8 40 68 221 108 330

1991 ......... 20 50 70 84 18 5 33 58 248 91 339

1992 ......... 39 68 94 103 19 8 34 56 329 90 419

1993 ......... 34 73 97 106 22 8 37 55 340 92 433

1994 ......... 41 73 101 107 18 8 32 49 348 81 429

1995 ......... 47 81 111 115 20 7 32 48 382 80 461

1996 ......... 47 89 128 119 21 8 29 49 413 78 491

1997 ......... 128 105 147 115 18 8 24 40 522 64 586

1998 ......... 67 89 112 110 19 8 22 38 406 61 466

1999 ......... 119 111 120 116 20 9 24 43 495 68 563

2000 ......... 84 99 111 112 22 9 22 38 437 61 498

2001 ......... 65 95 111 118 20 9 22 38 418 60 478

2002 ......... 78 100 122 133 20 9 20 35 463 55 517

2003 ......... 72 95 122 135 20 9 20 36 453 56 509

2004 ......... 85 101 136 156 23 9 24 38 510 62 572

2005 ......... 64 101 129 157 20 8 15 30 479 45 524

2006 ......... 56 96 131 162 21 8 19 30 473 50 522

2007 ......... 46 108 124 160 20 8 18 29 466 48 513

2008 ......... 63 112 131 185 20 8 18 27 518 45 563

2009 ......... 61 124 141 214 27 10 25 37 576 63 639

2010 ......... 76 122 131 209 21 8 22 28 565 50 615

2011 ......... 73 128 126 222 23 8 23 31 580 54 634

2012b........

b Terminations for 2012 reflect the reclassification of about 23,000 Federal recipients from the aged to the blind or disabled category because the State of

Massachusetts took over the administration of their State Supplementation program.

66 125 119 214 8 2 37 41 533 78 611

Projected:

2013 ......... 68 131 118 215 23 10 23 30 567 53 620

2014 68 139 116 213 23 10 23 28 569 52 620

2015 ......... 71 138 114 215 24 11 24 29 573 53 626

2016 ......... 94 137 112 213 26 11 24 29 593 53 646

2017 ......... 95 140 114 215 27 12 24 29 603 54 657

2018 ......... 75 143 116 214 29 13 24 31 591 55 646

2019 ......... 73 142 116 211 30 13 24 32 584 56 640

2020 ......... 74 142 116 207 31 13 25 32 582 57 639

2021 ......... 75 140 115 201 33 13 26 32 577 58 635

2022 ......... 73 142 115 196 34 14 26 33 574 59 633

2023 ......... 72 140 116 192 35 14 27 34 570 61 631

2024 ......... 74 140 119 189 35 15 27 35 571 62 633

2025 ......... 74 140 121 186 36 15 28 36 572 63 635

2026 ......... 73 141 123 184 37 16 28 37 573 64 638

2027 ......... 73 141 125 182 37 16 28 38 574 66 640

2028 ......... 74 141 126 181 37 17 28 39 575 67 642

2029 ......... 74 140 127 180 36 18 28 40 575 68 643

2030 ......... 75 140 127 180 36 19 28 41 576 69 646

2031 ......... 75 140 128 180 35 20 28 42 578 70 648

2032 ......... 76 140 128 180 35 20 28 43 579 71 650

2033 ......... 76 140 128 180 34 21 27 44 580 72 652

2034 ......... 76 140 129 180 34 22 27 46 582 73 654

2035 ......... 76 141 129 181 34 22 27 47 583 73 657

2036 ......... 77 142 130 182 34 23 27 48 586 74 661

2037 ......... 76 142 130 183 33 23 26 49 588 75 663
2013 SSI Annual Report

36

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B5.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations for All Reasons, Calendar Years 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Calendar year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals a

a Historical totals estimated based on 1-percent or 10-percent sample data.

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ........ 5 36 42 103 19 4 67 126 209 193 402

1975 ........ 8 55 56 140 25 3 127 199 287 326 613

1976 ........ 13 75 71 174 35 3 141 236 371 377 748

1977 ........ 14 71 68 140 34 3 112 194 330 305 636

1978 ........ 14 70 58 130 34 3 94 181 308 276 584

1979 ........ 13 65 52 128 41 2 88 177 301 265 566

1980 ........ 22 53 52 111 45 2 70 177 284 248 532

1981 ........ 20 48 47 103 45 3 69 177 266 246 512

1982 ........ 21 52 51 107 43 2 65 168 277 233 510

1983 ........ 21 49 44 87 34 4 39 140 240 180 419

1984 ........ 16 55 46 106 39 6 50 144 267 194 461

1985 ........ 13 47 47 97 37 8 40 138 249 178 427

1986 ........ 21 58 59 101 38 11 48 143 287 192 478

1987 ........ 22 59 61 106 40 13 47 138 301 185 486

1988 ........ 24 60 65 105 39 18 49 140 311 189 500

1989 ........ 22 63 69 105 39 15 47 136 312 183 496

1990 ........ 18 61 75 109 39 22 56 144 324 200 524

1991 ........ 25 60 90 123 40 22 50 132 360 182 542

1992 ........ 42 78 115 140 41 23 50 125 440 175 614

1993 ........ 40 86 124 148 45 24 54 127 467 181 648

1994 ........ 47 87 128 148 41 24 48 118 475 166 642

1995 ........ 54 94 142 158 44 25 47 113 517 160 677

1996 ........ 54 101 158 163 45 27 45 116 548 161 710

1997 ........ 133 116 172 159 43 26 39 105 648 143 792

1998 ........ 73 98 136 153 44 29 36 102 533 138 671

1999 ........ 124 120 146 161 45 31 38 106 626 144 770

2000 ........ 89 107 138 159 46 29 35 99 569 134 703

2001 ........ 70 103 139 166 45 31 34 98 554 132 685

2002 ........ 83 108 150 182 44 30 31 93 598 124 722

2003 ........ 76 104 149 186 46 30 31 92 591 122 713

2004 ........ 90 109 163 208 48 31 34 93 650 127 777

2005 ........ 69 109 157 211 45 30 24 84 621 107 728

2006 ........ 61 104 158 217 46 31 28 84 615 112 727

2007 ........ 51 116 150 218 46 31 27 83 610 110 720

2008 ........ 68 120 155 245 45 29 26 80 663 106 769

2009 ........ 66 133 166 278 52 32 33 90 726 123 849

2010 ........ 80 130 153 272 46 30 29 79 712 108 820

2011 ........ 77 137 147 288 49 31 31 81 729 112 841

2012b.......

b Terminations for 2012 reflect the reclassification of about 23,000 Federal recipients from the aged to the blind or disabled category because the State of

Massachusetts took over the administration of their State Supplementation program.

70 134 140 283 35 25 44 92 687 136 823

Projected:

2013 ........ 73 141 141 287 51 35 30 79 727 109 836

2014 ........ 72 149 138 287 51 35 31 76 731 107 839

2015 ........ 75 148 135 290 53 36 32 77 737 108 845

2016 ........ 98 146 133 288 56 37 32 77 758 109 867

2017 ........ 99 149 135 289 58 38 32 77 769 109 878

2018 ........ 79 153 137 287 61 39 32 79 756 111 867

2019 ........ 77 151 136 282 64 39 33 80 749 112 861

2020 ........ 77 152 135 277 66 40 33 80 747 113 860

2021 ........ 78 149 134 270 69 40 34 80 742 115 856

2022 ........ 77 152 135 263 71 41 35 81 739 116 855

2023 ........ 76 150 136 258 73 43 35 82 736 118 853

2024 ........ 77 150 139 253 74 44 36 84 737 119 856

2025 ........ 77 149 141 249 76 45 36 85 738 121 859

2026 ........ 77 150 144 246 76 47 37 86 739 123 862

2027 ........ 77 151 145 243 76 49 37 88 740 125 866

2028 ........ 77 150 147 240 76 51 37 90 741 127 868

2029 ........ 78 149 147 239 75 53 37 92 741 129 870

2030 ........ 78 149 148 238 74 55 37 94 743 131 874

2031 ........ 79 149 148 239 73 57 37 96 745 133 877

2032 ........ 79 149 149 239 71 59 36 98 746 135 881

2033 ........ 79 149 149 238 70 61 36 101 747 137 884

2034 ........ 79 149 149 238 69 63 35 103 748 138 887

2035 ........ 79 150 150 238 68 65 35 106 750 140 890

2036 ........ 80 151 150 239 67 67 34 108 753 142 895

2037 ........ 79 151 150 240 66 68 34 110 755 144 899
37

2013 SSI Annual Report

Our projected terminations reflect the assumption that within the next few years increased resources will

be available to SSA for processing CDRs, which would result in higher levels of SSI terminations,

although that assumption is uncertain and it has been difficult to predict Congressional action in this area. 

 Figure IV.B3.—SSI Federally-Administered Terminations by Age Group, Calendar Years 1975-2040

[In thousands]

Table IV.B6.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 70 338 321 756 109 13 1,010 1,019 1,606 2,029 3,635

1975 ......... 106 395 352 838 164 14 963 1,062 1,869 2,025 3,893

1976 ......... 124 420 352 813 208 14 864 1,003 1,932 1,867 3,799

1977 ......... 147 442 358 800 249 16 785 980 2,013 1,765 3,778

1978 ......... 165 460 361 791 277 16 728 958 2,069 1,686 3,755

1979 ......... 176 472 359 764 307 16 656 938 2,094 1,593 3,687

1980 ......... 188 500 351 750 342 17 609 925 2,149 1,533 3,682

1981 ......... 194 514 349 720 366 17 541 888 2,160 1,430 3,590

1982 ......... 191 517 346 683 386 21 459 871 2,144 1,329 3,473

1983 ......... 198 555 366 692 412 28 449 890 2,250 1,339 3,590

1984 ......... 210 595 393 700 406 48 463 884 2,352 1,347 3,699

1985 ......... 226 634 426 717 402 72 462 860 2,477 1,322 3,799

1986 ......... 240 688 475 739 397 91 465 827 2,630 1,291 3,922

1987 ......... 249 717 524 756 392 113 464 804 2,751 1,268 4,019

1988 ......... 254 738 564 774 387 127 468 777 2,844 1,245 4,089

1989 ......... 263 757 613 799 382 145 488 760 2,959 1,247 4,206

1990 ......... 306 788 677 840 389 156 508 749 3,156 1,257 4,412

1991 ......... 395 833 769 897 390 166 542 736 3,451 1,279 4,730

1992 ......... 555 920 877 970 402 173 577 727 3,898 1,304 5,202

1993 ......... 721 990 979 1,034 410 179 604 720 4,312 1,324 5,636

1994 ......... 839 1,032 1,071 1,089 425 182 610 716 4,638 1,326 5,965

1995 ......... 915 1,058 1,150 1,134 435 188 601 713 4,880 1,315 6,194

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Calendar year

Historical Projected

75 or older

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17
2013 SSI Annual Report

38

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Combining the number of persons coming on the SSI payment rolls during a year with the number of those

already receiving benefits at the beginning of the year, and subtracting the number leaving the rolls during

the year, yields the number of persons receiving Federally-administered SSI payments at the end of the

year. Table IV.B6 and figure IV.B4 present the number of individuals receiving Federal SSI payments,

who comprise the great majority of Federally-administered recipients. The number of Federal SSI recipients at the end of 2012 increased by about 2.2 percent over the corresponding number at the end of 2011, a

somewhat smaller increase than experienced between 2010 and 2011.

As figure IV.B4 illustrates, the implementation of Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193 resulted in

a decline in the Federal recipient population from 1996 to 1997. From the end of 1997 through the end of

2000, the Federal SSI recipient population grew at an annual rate of less than 1 percent. From the end of

2000 to the end of 2008, the Federal SSI recipient population grew an average of 1.7 percent per year.

Since the end of 2008, the Federal recipient population has grown an average of 2.7 percent per year due

largely to the economic recession and continuing economic downturn. As the economy slowly recovers,

we project somewhat slower growth in the recipient population with year-to-year increases averaging

approximately 1.2 percent from the end of 2012 through the end of 2015.

Historical data: (Cont.)

1996 ......... 954 1,066 1,198 1,176 444 192 586 711 5,029 1,296 6,326

1997 ......... 878 1,039 1,196 1,198 457 193 547 704 4,960 1,251 6,212

1998 ......... 885 1,038 1,238 1,243 464 197 521 705 5,063 1,226 6,289

1999 ......... 845 1,005 1,274 1,278 474 195 499 704 5,072 1,203 6,275

2000 ......... 844 994 1,303 1,313 484 196 483 703 5,134 1,186 6,320

2001 ......... 879 995 1,329 1,353 493 196 461 703 5,245 1,165 6,410

2002 ......... 912 1,002 1,344 1,394 502 200 447 705 5,354 1,152 6,505

2003 ......... 956 1,023 1,353 1,436 511 204 430 703 5,482 1,133 6,614

2004 ......... 990 1,044 1,350 1,476 515 208 412 699 5,584 1,111 6,695

2005 ......... 1,034 1,065 1,347 1,523 522 215 408 705 5,706 1,113 6,819

2006 ......... 1,076 1,095 1,334 1,575 529 220 405 704 5,830 1,109 6,939

2007 ......... 1,119 1,124 1,316 1,634 540 228 397 704 5,960 1,101 7,061

2008 ......... 1,151 1,173 1,306 1,704 550 234 396 704 6,119 1,100 7,219

2009 ......... 1,198 1,229 1,302 1,793 559 241 396 704 6,322 1,101 7,423

2010 ......... 1,238 1,294 1,307 1,900 566 251 394 704 6,557 1,099 7,656

2011 ......... 1,276 1,345 1,305 2,002 577 260 398 703 6,765 1,101 7,866

2012 ......... 1,311 1,381 1,287 2,089 608 278 391 694 6,955 1,085 8,040

Projected:

2013 ......... 1,338 1,396 1,268 2,156 625 286 401 690 7,067 1,091 8,158

2014 ......... 1,359 1,401 1,252 2,202 644 293 411 688 7,150 1,099 8,250

2015 ......... 1,369 1,409 1,247 2,226 669 299 422 688 7,218 1,110 8,328

2016 ......... 1,350 1,422 1,250 2,228 701 303 435 687 7,254 1,122 8,376

2017 ......... 1,325 1,431 1,253 2,210 735 309 447 690 7,263 1,137 8,400

2018 ......... 1,316 1,439 1,252 2,179 772 314 460 693 7,273 1,153 8,426

2019 ......... 1,313 1,449 1,254 2,150 811 320 477 697 7,298 1,174 8,472

2020 ......... 1,307 1,454 1,255 2,119 850 325 492 702 7,309 1,194 8,504

2021 ......... 1,301 1,462 1,260 2,086 886 333 503 715 7,328 1,218 8,546

2022 ......... 1,298 1,469 1,274 2,051 919 343 509 734 7,355 1,243 8,598

2023 ......... 1,298 1,479 1,294 2,021 946 354 518 752 7,393 1,269 8,662

2024 ......... 1,299 1,491 1,322 1,996 972 366 528 771 7,446 1,299 8,746

2025 ......... 1,297 1,500 1,346 1,967 993 380 537 791 7,483 1,328 8,811

2026 ......... 1,297 1,506 1,369 1,939 1,007 397 545 812 7,515 1,357 8,872

2027 ......... 1,300 1,510 1,386 1,917 1,015 416 551 834 7,544 1,385 8,930

2028 ......... 1,309 1,509 1,400 1,900 1,017 436 556 858 7,571 1,413 8,984

2029 ......... 1,320 1,506 1,409 1,889 1,015 456 558 883 7,596 1,440 9,036

2030 ......... 1,334 1,508 1,418 1,891 1,006 477 560 909 7,633 1,468 9,101

2031 ......... 1,345 1,508 1,421 1,892 991 497 556 935 7,655 1,491 9,146

2032 ......... 1,353 1,508 1,424 1,896 976 516 550 961 7,674 1,511 9,185

2033 ......... 1,359 1,509 1,430 1,898 963 533 544 986 7,691 1,529 9,221

2034 ......... 1,364 1,510 1,435 1,898 953 549 537 1,010 7,708 1,547 9,255

2035 ......... 1,366 1,512 1,440 1,898 945 563 529 1,034 7,724 1,563 9,287

2036 ......... 1,369 1,518 1,447 1,907 935 576 523 1,056 7,753 1,579 9,332

2037 ......... 1,367 1,523 1,449 1,919 921 586 514 1,075 7,765 1,590 9,355

Table IV.B6.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037 (Cont.)

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All
39

2013 SSI Annual Report

Beginning in 2015, the numbers of Federal SSI recipients are projected to grow at a rate of less than 1 percent per year for the remainder of the 25-year projection period. In order to place this projected growth in

the context of overall population growth, table IV.B7 and figure IV.B5 present Federal SSI prevalence

rates, defined as SSI recipients with Federal benefits in current-payment status as percentages of selected

Social Security area population totals. 

In table IV.B7, we calculated the age group percentages using the corresponding population age group

totals. We computed the ratios for the separate recipient categories—total blind or disabled and total

aged—as percentages of differing base populations, the total Social Security Area population and the 65

and older Social Security population, respectively. As a result of this method of calculation, the percentage

for the total SSI recipient population is not the arithmetic sum of the percentages for the respective recipient categories. The prevalence rate for all Federal SSI recipients declined from 1975 through the early

1980s. In 1983, this percentage started increasing and continued to increase through 1996. The prevalence

rate then declined in 1997, due to the implementation of Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193, but

leveled out over the next few years. It has increased slightly over the past few years, and we expect it to

continue to increase slightly through 2015 and then decrease gradually through the rest of the projection

period.

 Figure IV.B4.—SSI Recipients with Federal Benefits in Current-Payment Status, by Age Group, 

as of December, 1975-2040

[In thousands]

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older

Historical Projected
2013 SSI Annual Report

40

Table IV.B7.—Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, as of December, 1974-2037

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disableda

a Blind or disabled recipients as a percentage of the total Social Security Area population.

Agedb

b Aged recipients as a percentage of the 65 or older Social Security Area population.

Allc

c Total recipients as a percentage of the total Social Security Area population. Totals do not equal sums of components due to overlapping populations.

Historical data:

1974 ........ 0.10 0.56 0.88 2.29 0.77 0.14 7.19 11.23 0.72 8.78 1.63

1975 ........ .15 .63 .97 2.51 1.14 .15 6.70 11.38 .83 8.54 1.73

1976 ........ .18 .65 .96 2.42 1.41 .14 5.88 10.43 .85 7.68 1.67

1977 ........ .22 .67 .97 2.36 1.66 .17 5.21 9.94 .88 7.09 1.65

1978 ........ .25 .68 .96 2.32 1.80 .15 4.73 9.46 .89 6.61 1.62

1979 ........ .27 .68 .94 2.23 1.96 .15 4.17 9.00 .89 6.10 1.58

1980 ........ .29 .71 .91 2.18 2.14 .16 3.81 8.64 .91 5.74 1.56

1981 ........ .30 .72 .87 2.10 2.25 .16 3.33 8.07 .91 5.24 1.51

1982 ........ .29 .71 .83 1.99 2.33 .18 2.77 7.68 .89 4.77 1.44

1983 ........ .31 .76 .85 2.02 2.46 .24 2.68 7.63 .93 4.71 1.48

1984 ........ .32 .81 .88 2.06 2.39 .40 2.72 7.39 .96 4.65 1.51

1985 ........ .35 .87 .93 2.11 2.32 .58 2.67 7.00 1.00 4.47 1.53

1986 ........ .37 .94 1.00 2.19 2.26 .72 2.64 6.57 1.05 4.28 1.57

1987 ........ .38 .98 1.06 2.25 2.20 .87 2.60 6.25 1.09 4.13 1.59

1988 ........ .39 1.01 1.11 2.30 2.14 .97 2.59 5.90 1.12 3.99 1.60

1989 ........ .40 1.03 1.16 2.37 2.10 1.07 2.67 5.62 1.15 3.93 1.63

1990 ........ .45 1.08 1.24 2.48 2.10 1.12 2.74 5.40 1.21 3.88 1.69

1991 ........ .58 1.16 1.36 2.62 2.08 1.17 2.89 5.19 1.31 3.88 1.79

1992 ........ .80 1.29 1.51 2.79 2.12 1.19 3.04 5.00 1.46 3.89 1.95

1993 ........ 1.02 1.40 1.64 2.92 2.15 1.20 3.16 4.85 1.60 3.90 2.09

1994 ........ 1.17 1.48 1.75 3.02 2.22 1.20 3.18 4.71 1.70 3.86 2.19

1995 ........ 1.26 1.53 1.83 3.10 2.27 1.21 3.13 4.59 1.77 3.78 2.25

1996 ........ 1.31 1.55 1.87 3.12 2.32 1.21 3.06 4.46 1.81 3.70 2.27

1997 ........ 1.20 1.52 1.85 3.05 2.40 1.18 2.87 4.32 1.76 3.54 2.21

1998 ........ 1.21 1.52 1.88 3.05 2.45 1.18 2.75 4.24 1.78 3.45 2.22

1999 ........ 1.15 1.47 1.92 3.02 2.52 1.15 2.65 4.16 1.77 3.37 2.19

2000 ........ 1.14 1.45 1.95 3.00 2.58 1.14 2.57 4.09 1.77 3.30 2.18

2001 ........ 1.18 1.44 1.98 2.98 2.63 1.13 2.46 4.04 1.80 3.22 2.19

2002 ........ 1.22 1.44 2.00 2.96 2.67 1.13 2.38 4.00 1.82 3.16 2.21

2003 ........ 1.28 1.47 2.01 2.95 2.70 1.14 2.27 3.94 1.84 3.08 2.22

2004 ........ 1.31 1.49 2.01 2.92 2.70 1.15 2.16 3.87 1.86 2.99 2.23

2005 ........ 1.37 1.52 2.00 2.92 2.69 1.18 2.11 3.86 1.88 2.96 2.25

2006 ........ 1.42 1.55 1.99 2.92 2.67 1.20 2.04 3.82 1.91 2.90 2.27

2007 ........ 1.47 1.58 1.97 2.94 2.64 1.22 1.94 3.79 1.93 2.82 2.29

2008 ........ 1.51 1.63 1.98 2.99 2.59 1.25 1.87 3.76 1.97 2.76 2.32

2009 ........ 1.57 1.69 2.00 3.06 2.55 1.28 1.81 3.73 2.02 2.70 2.37

2010 ........ 1.63 1.76 2.03 3.16 2.51 1.31 1.75 3.69 2.08 2.64 2.42

2011 ........ 1.68 1.81 2.04 3.27 2.45 1.35 1.69 3.64 2.13 2.57 2.47

2012 ........ 1.73 1.84 2.03 3.37 2.44 1.42 1.57 3.54 2.17 2.44 2.51

Projected:

2013 ........ 1.76 1.85 2.01 3.43 2.39 1.43 1.54 3.46 2.19 2.37 2.52

2014 ........ 1.79 1.84 1.99 3.46 2.37 1.44 1.51 3.39 2.19 2.31 2.53

2015 ........ 1.79 1.85 1.98 3.47 2.36 1.44 1.49 3.32 2.20 2.26 2.53

2016 ........ 1.76 1.85 1.98 3.46 2.38 1.43 1.48 3.24 2.19 2.22 2.53

2017 ........ 1.72 1.86 1.97 3.42 2.42 1.42 1.47 3.16 2.17 2.18 2.51

2018 ........ 1.70 1.85 1.96 3.37 2.46 1.39 1.46 3.07 2.15 2.14 2.50

2019 ........ 1.68 1.85 1.96 3.32 2.49 1.38 1.46 3.00 2.14 2.10 2.49

2020 ........ 1.66 1.85 1.95 3.27 2.51 1.36 1.46 2.94 2.13 2.07 2.47

2021 ........ 1.64 1.85 1.95 3.23 2.55 1.34 1.45 2.88 2.11 2.04 2.46

2022 ........ 1.63 1.86 1.95 3.19 2.60 1.32 1.44 2.81 2.10 2.02 2.46

2023 ........ 1.62 1.86 1.96 3.18 2.62 1.30 1.43 2.76 2.10 2.00 2.46

2024 ........ 1.61 1.87 1.98 3.17 2.63 1.29 1.43 2.72 2.09 1.99 2.46

2025 ........ 1.60 1.88 1.98 3.15 2.64 1.29 1.43 2.68 2.09 1.98 2.46

2026 ........ 1.59 1.89 1.99 3.13 2.63 1.30 1.42 2.65 2.08 1.97 2.46

2027 ........ 1.58 1.89 1.99 3.12 2.61 1.31 1.42 2.62 2.07 1.96 2.46

2028 ........ 1.58 1.89 1.99 3.11 2.59 1.32 1.41 2.60 2.07 1.96 2.45

2029 ........ 1.58 1.89 1.99 3.10 2.57 1.33 1.41 2.58 2.06 1.95 2.45

2030 ........ 1.58 1.89 1.99 3.09 2.54 1.34 1.41 2.56 2.06 1.96 2.45

2031 ........ 1.58 1.89 1.99 3.08 2.52 1.35 1.41 2.54 2.05 1.96 2.45

2032 ........ 1.58 1.88 1.99 3.07 2.50 1.36 1.41 2.52 2.04 1.96 2.44

2033 ........ 1.58 1.88 1.98 3.06 2.48 1.36 1.40 2.51 2.03 1.96 2.44

2034 ........ 1.58 1.88 1.98 3.05 2.47 1.36 1.39 2.50 2.03 1.96 2.43

2035 ........ 1.58 1.87 1.98 3.04 2.46 1.35 1.38 2.48 2.02 1.95 2.43

2036 ........ 1.58 1.87 1.98 3.04 2.45 1.35 1.37 2.47 2.02 1.95 2.43

2037 ........ 1.57 1.86 1.98 3.03 2.44 1.34 1.36 2.46 2.01 1.95 2.42
41

2013 SSI Annual Report

The various subcategories of Federal SSI recipients follow significantly different growth patterns in relation to their respective population totals. The overall aged prevalence rate has declined steadily throughout

the historical period. We project that it will continue to decline through 2027, and then remain fairly level

thereafter through the rest of the projection period, as the portion of the aged population over 74 increases.

In contrast, except for decreases in the late 1990s due to the eligibility redeterminations and continuing

disability reviews mandated by Public Law 104-193, the prevalence rate for blind or disabled children

increased steadily throughout the historical period, with the increase being quite steep in the early 1990s.

The total blind or disabled prevalence rate (as a percentage of the total population at all ages) remained

fairly level until the early 1980s, when it started increasing and then continued to increase through 1996.

The blind or disabled prevalence rate declined slightly in the late 1990s due to the effects of welfare

reform legislation, but resumed its upward trend in 2000. That upward trend has continued through 2012,

and we estimate it will continue through 2015, reaching 2.2 percent of the total population. In the later

years of the projection period, the estimated overall prevalence rate for blind or disabled recipients will

gradually decline due to: (1) the SSI-eligible population growing more slowly than the overall population,

(2) a smaller proportion of the population becoming new recipients than during the recent economic slowdown; (3) the changing age distribution in the population; and (4) our assumption that SSA will receive

the resources necessary to process normal CDR and nonmedical redetermination workloads.

Figure IV.B6 presents prevalence rates on an age-sex-adjusted basis, adjusted to the age-sex distribution of

the Social Security area population for the year 2004. Adjusting these rates in this manner is useful when

comparing rates over a long period of time because the age-sex-adjusted rates control for the effects that a

changing age-sex distribution in the population can have on prevalence rates over time. We do not, however, account for the change over time of other factors that may affect the percentage of the Social Security area population that is SSI-eligible. 

 Figure IV.B5.—Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, by Age Group, as of December, 1975-2040

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Year

0-17

18-34

35-49

50-64

65-74

75 or older

Total

Historical Projected
2013 SSI Annual Report

42

A review of the chart below shows that the age-sex adjustment does not change the overall pattern of the

prevalence rates. The overall SSI prevalence rate on an age-sex adjusted basis is higher in the early years

and lower in the projection period than the gross prevalence rate. The adjustment generally results in a

more noticeable effect for the aged, especially in the early years of the SSI program, due in part to the aged

prevalence rate being quite high in those early years.

Table IV.B8 presents historical and projected numbers of individuals who receive only a Federally-administered State supplement.

 Figure IV.B6.—Age-Sex-Adjusted Federal SSI Prevalence Rates, by Eligibility Category, as of December, 1975-2040

Table IV.B8.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementation Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 1 12 20 57 13 1 138 120 104 257 361

1975 ......... 1 15 25 74 21 2 144 138 139 282 421

1976 ......... 1 14 27 87 26 2 134 146 156 280 437

1977 ......... 1 16 27 94 35 2 136 150 174 286 460

1978 ......... 1 16 26 93 41 2 127 155 180 282 462

1979 ......... 1 18 25 89 49 2 121 157 184 278 462

1980 ......... 2 20 26 82 52 2 112 162 185 274 460

1981 ......... 1 19 26 75 58 2 94 155 181 248 429

1982 ......... 1 18 23 68 53 2 82 137 165 219 384

1983 ......... 1 17 19 50 44 4 65 111 136 176 312

1984 ......... 1 18 23 50 47 7 68 116 147 184 331

1985 ......... 1 21 28 53 45 8 67 115 157 182 339

1986 ......... 1 23 31 55 45 11 66 116 166 182 348

1987 ......... 1 26 36 60 43 12 72 115 178 187 366

1988 ......... 1 26 42 59 44 14 74 114 187 188 375

1989 ......... 2 28 45 60 45 16 76 115 195 192 387

1990 ......... 2 31 54 60 44 17 82 116 208 197 405

1991 ......... 2 29 54 59 42 17 78 108 203 186 389

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

9%

10%

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Year

Gross rates

Age-sex-adjusted rates

Historical Projected

Aged

Total

Blind or disabled
43

2013 SSI Annual Report

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B9 displays the combined numbers of persons receiving either a Federal SSI payment or a Federally-administered State supplement.

Certain noteworthy patterns appear in the numbers of SSI recipients in the recent past and projections of

such numbers for the near future. The total number of SSI recipients increased rapidly in the early 1990s

due to the growth in the numbers of disabled adults and children. The growth in the numbers of children

receiving SSI resulted in large part from the Supreme Court decision in the case of Sullivan v. Zebley,

110 S. Ct. 885 (1990), which greatly expanded the criteria used for determining disability for children.

The growth in the numbers of disabled adults is a more complicated phenomenon. Extensive research

conducted under contract to SSA and the Department of Health and Human Services suggests that this

growth was the result of a combination of factors including: (1) demographic trends; (2) a downturn in the

economy in the late 1980s and early 1990s; (3) long-term structural changes in the economy; and (4)

changes in other support programs (in particular, the reduction or elimination of general assistance programs in certain States). The 1996 welfare reform legislation, the economic downturn in the early 2000s,

Historical data: (Cont.)

1992 ......... 2 29 55 59 37 16 70 97 197 167 364

1993 ......... 2 29 58 59 34 15 64 88 197 151 348

1994 ......... 2 28 59 56 32 14 59 81 192 139 331

1995 ......... 3 25 59 56 32 14 54 77 188 131 320

1996 ......... 2 21 54 53 29 13 49 68 172 116 288

1997 ......... 2 20 55 53 29 13 46 65 172 111 283

1998 ......... 2 18 54 55 28 13 43 63 171 106 277

1999 ......... 2 18 57 58 28 13 43 62 177 105 282

2000 ......... 2 17 57 60 29 13 42 61 179 103 282

2001 ......... 2 17 56 62 29 12 41 59 179 100 278

2002 ......... 3 17 57 64 30 12 42 58 183 100 283

2003 ......... 3 18 58 67 30 12 42 58 188 100 288

2004 ......... 3 18 58 70 31 12 43 58 193 100 293

2005 ......... 3 18 56 73 31 12 44 58 193 102 295

2006 ......... 3 18 55 76 32 12 45 58 194 103 297

2007 ......... 2 18 53 77 32 12 46 57 195 103 298

2008 ......... 3 18 52 80 34 12 46 57 198 103 301

2009 ......... 2 16 43 69 29 11 38 48 168 85 254

2010 ......... 2 16 42 71 29 11 37 48 171 85 257

2011 ......... 2 16 39 70 29 11 35 45 166 81 246

2012 ........ 1 14 34 64 28 11 31 40 152 71 223

Projected:

2013 ........ 1 14 32 65 29 11 34 41 153 74 227

2014 ........ 1 15 32 67 31 11 37 42 156 79 235

2015 ........ 1 15 32 68 32 11 39 43 160 83 243

2016 ........ 1 16 33 69 34 12 41 45 164 86 250

2017 ........ 1 16 33 70 36 12 43 46 168 90 258

2018 ........ 2 17 34 71 38 12 46 48 174 94 267

2019 ........ 2 17 36 72 40 13 48 50 180 98 278

2020 ........ 2 18 37 73 42 13 50 52 185 102 287

2021 ........ 2 18 37 73 44 14 52 54 188 106 294

2022 ........ 2 18 38 72 46 14 53 56 191 109 300

2023 ........ 2 18 38 71 48 15 54 59 193 112 305

2024 ........ 2 18 39 70 49 16 55 61 195 116 310

2025 ........ 2 18 40 69 51 16 56 63 196 119 315

2026 ........ 2 18 41 68 51 17 57 65 197 122 319

2027 ........ 2 18 41 68 52 18 57 67 198 124 323

2028 ........ 2 18 42 67 52 19 58 69 199 127 326

2029 ........ 2 18 42 66 52 20 58 72 200 129 329

2030 ........ 2 18 42 66 51 21 58 74 201 132 333

2031 ........ 2 18 42 66 50 22 58 76 201 134 335

2032 ........ 2 19 42 67 50 23 57 78 202 135 337

2033 ........ 2 19 43 67 49 24 56 80 202 137 339

2034 ........ 2 19 43 67 48 25 55 82 203 138 341

2035 ........ 2 19 43 66 48 25 55 84 203 139 342

2036 ........ 2 19 43 67 48 26 54 86 203 140 344

2037 ........ 2 19 43 67 47 26 53 88 204 141 345

Table IV.B8.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered State Supplementation Benefits Only,

in Current-Payment Status as of December, 1974-2037 (Cont.)

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All
2013 SSI Annual Report

44

and the recent economic recession that began late in 2007 have contributed to the more recent changes in

program participation.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.B9.—SSI Recipients with Federally-Administered Benefits in Current-Payment Status 

as of December, 1974-2037

[In thousands]

Year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ......... 71 349 341 813 122 14 1,148 1,138 1,710 2,286 3,996

1975 ......... 107 410 378 911 185 16 1,107 1,200 2,007 2,307 4,314

1976 ......... 125 434 379 900 234 15 999 1,149 2,088 2,148 4,236

1977 ......... 147 458 385 893 284 18 921 1,130 2,187 2,051 4,238

1978 ......... 166 476 387 884 319 17 855 1,113 2,249 1,968 4,217

1979 ......... 177 490 384 852 357 17 777 1,095 2,278 1,872 4,150

1980 ......... 190 521 377 833 393 20 721 1,086 2,334 1,808 4,142

1981 ......... 195 533 375 795 424 19 635 1,043 2,341 1,678 4,019

1982 ......... 192 535 369 751 439 23 541 1,008 2,309 1,549 3,858

1983 ......... 198 572 386 742 456 32 514 1,001 2,386 1,515 3,901

1984 ......... 212 613 417 751 453 54 531 999 2,499 1,530 4,029

1985 ......... 227 655 454 769 447 80 530 975 2,634 1,504 4,138

1986 ......... 241 711 506 794 442 102 531 942 2,796 1,473 4,269

1987 ......... 251 743 560 816 436 124 536 920 2,930 1,455 4,385

1988 ......... 255 764 606 833 431 142 543 891 3,030 1,433 4,464

1989 ......... 265 785 658 859 427 160 564 875 3,154 1,439 4,593

1990 ......... 309 819 731 900 432 172 589 865 3,363 1,454 4,817

1991 ......... 397 863 823 956 432 183 620 845 3,654 1,465 5,118

1992 ......... 556 949 932 1,029 440 189 647 824 4,095 1,471 5,566

1993 ......... 723 1,019 1,036 1,093 445 194 667 808 4,509 1,475 5,984

1994 ......... 841 1,060 1,130 1,146 457 196 669 797 4,830 1,466 6,296

1995 ......... 917 1,083 1,209 1,190 467 202 656 790 5,068 1,446 6,514

1996 ......... 955 1,087 1,252 1,229 472 205 634 778 5,201 1,413 6,614

1997 ......... 880 1,059 1,251 1,252 486 205 593 770 5,133 1,362 6,495

1998 ......... 887 1,056 1,292 1,298 492 209 564 768 5,234 1,332 6,566

1999 ......... 847 1,024 1,331 1,336 503 208 543 765 5,249 1,308 6,557

2000 ......... 847 1,011 1,360 1,373 513 209 525 764 5,312 1,289 6,602

2001 ......... 882 1,012 1,385 1,415 522 209 502 762 5,424 1,264 6,688

2002 ......... 915 1,019 1,401 1,458 532 212 489 763 5,536 1,252 6,788

2003 ......... 959 1,040 1,410 1,503 541 216 471 761 5,670 1,233 6,902

2004 ......... 993 1,062 1,408 1,546 546 221 455 756 5,777 1,211 6,988

2005 ......... 1,036 1,083 1,404 1,596 553 228 452 763 5,900 1,214 7,114

2006 ......... 1,079 1,113 1,388 1,651 560 232 450 762 6,024 1,212 7,236

2007 ......... 1,121 1,142 1,369 1,711 572 240 443 761 6,155 1,205 7,360

2008 ......... 1,154 1,191 1,358 1,784 584 246 442 761 6,317 1,203 7,521

2009 ......... 1,200 1,244 1,345 1,862 588 252 434 752 6,491 1,186 7,677

2010 ......... 1,239 1,311 1,350 1,971 595 262 432 752 6,728 1,184 7,912

2011 ......... 1,277 1,361 1,344 2,072 606 271 434 748 6,931 1,182 8,113

2012 ........ 1,312 1,395 1,321 2,154 637 289 422 734 7,107 1,156 8,263

Projected:

2013 ........ 1,339 1,410 1,300 2,221 654 297 435 731 7,220 1,165 8,385

2014 ........ 1,360 1,415 1,284 2,269 675 304 447 731 7,307 1,178 8,485

2015 ........ 1,371 1,424 1,279 2,294 701 310 461 731 7,379 1,192 8,571

2016 ........ 1,351 1,437 1,283 2,297 735 315 477 731 7,418 1,208 8,626

2017 ........ 1,326 1,447 1,286 2,279 771 321 491 736 7,431 1,227 8,658

2018 ........ 1,318 1,455 1,286 2,250 810 327 506 741 7,447 1,247 8,693

2019 ........ 1,315 1,466 1,290 2,223 851 333 525 747 7,478 1,272 8,750

2020 ........ 1,309 1,472 1,291 2,192 892 339 543 754 7,494 1,296 8,791

2021 ........ 1,303 1,480 1,297 2,159 931 347 555 768 7,516 1,323 8,840

2022 ........ 1,300 1,487 1,312 2,124 965 358 562 790 7,546 1,352 8,897

2023 ........ 1,300 1,497 1,333 2,092 995 369 571 810 7,586 1,381 8,967

2024 ........ 1,301 1,509 1,361 2,067 1,021 382 583 832 7,641 1,415 9,056

2025 ........ 1,299 1,518 1,386 2,036 1,043 396 593 854 7,680 1,447 9,126

2026 ........ 1,299 1,524 1,409 2,008 1,058 414 601 877 7,713 1,479 9,191

2027 ........ 1,302 1,528 1,428 1,985 1,067 434 608 901 7,743 1,510 9,252

2028 ........ 1,310 1,527 1,442 1,967 1,069 455 613 927 7,770 1,540 9,311

2029 ........ 1,322 1,524 1,451 1,955 1,066 477 616 954 7,796 1,570 9,366

2030 ........ 1,336 1,527 1,460 1,957 1,057 498 618 983 7,834 1,600 9,434

2031 ........ 1,347 1,526 1,464 1,959 1,042 519 614 1,011 7,856 1,625 9,481

2032 ........ 1,355 1,527 1,467 1,962 1,025 539 607 1,039 7,876 1,646 9,522

2033 ........ 1,361 1,527 1,472 1,965 1,011 557 600 1,066 7,894 1,666 9,560

2034 ........ 1,365 1,528 1,478 1,964 1,001 573 592 1,093 7,911 1,684 9,595

2035 ........ 1,367 1,530 1,483 1,964 993 588 584 1,118 7,927 1,702 9,629

2036 ........ 1,371 1,537 1,491 1,974 983 601 577 1,142 7,956 1,719 9,676

2037 ........ 1,369 1,542 1,492 1,986 968 612 568 1,163 7,969 1,730 9,699
45

2013 SSI Annual Report

C. FEDERAL PAYMENTS UNDER SSI

To estimate future amounts of Federal expenditures under SSI, we first modify the projected Federal benefit rates (table IV.A2) to reflect actual payment levels, taking into account historical and projected levels of

adjustments for other actual or deemed income. We combine these actual payment levels with the projected numbers of persons receiving Federal SSI payments to generate estimates of the amounts of Federal

SSI payments. Table IV.C1 shows historical amounts of such payments by calendar year. We compute

these payment amounts on a cash-flow basis, which is consistent with the concepts used to define SSI

obligations for the Federal Budget. As a result, for months after January 1978, when SSI payments are due

on the first of the month and the first of the month falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, we tabulate these

payments in the previous month.1

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Since we use this cash-flow concept, payments in table IV.C1 differ from similar amounts in other Social

Security Administration publications, such as the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin, in two main ways. First, tabulations of payments in the Annual Statistical Supplement group payments by the month the payment is due, while table IV.C1 groups payments by the month in which we

1 Public Law 95-216, the Social Security Amendments of 1977, enacted December 20, 1977, requires that SSI payments, which are normally due on the

first of the month, be delivered early when the normal delivery date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. 

Table IV.C1.—SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars,a Calendar Years 1974-2013

[In millions]

a Total historical payments for 1974-77 agree with those presented in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin. Total historical payments for 1978-83 are estimated.

Calendar 

year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

1974........... $40 $438 $452 $968 $135 $17 $825 $958 $2,050 $1,783 $3,833

1975............ 128 537 499 1,099 190 17 812 1,031 2,471 1,843 4,314

1976............ 176 605 541 1,147 241 17 762 1,023 2,727 1,785 4,512

1977............ 227 671 579 1,174 298 17 721 1,016 2,966 1,737 4,703

1978 b .........

b Includes 13 months of payments since payments due on January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1979 were both paid in calendar year 1978.

302 781 655 1,312 381 18 736 1,111 3,449 1,847 5,296

1979........... 340 809 650 1,296 429 21 667 1,093 3,546 1,760 5,306

1980............ 397 931 731 1,420 544 28 642 1,230 4,051 1,872 5,923

1981............ 458 1,079 821 1,542 654 32 643 1,320 4,586 1,963 6,549

1982............ 512 1,211 883 1,590 704 38 630 1,364 4,937 1,994 6,931

1983............ 574 1,372 985 1,704 774 58 624 1,440 5,466 2,064 7,530

1984............ 659 1,576 1,128 1,835 836 102 670 1,512 6,136 2,182 8,318

1985............ 736 1,709 1,250 1,924 833 160 699 1,499 6,611 2,198 8,809

1986............ 831 1,929 1,452 2,043 848 209 731 1,479 7,312 2,210 9,522

1987............ 900 2,081 1,618 2,157 846 259 765 1,444 7,860 2,210 10,069

1988............ 955 2,228 1,818 2,303 874 304 814 1,449 8,481 2,263 10,744

1989............ 1,025 2,431 2,048 2,481 936 366 881 1,479 9,286 2,361 11,647

1990............ 1,201 2,660 2,395 2,792 969 407 987 1,532 10,423 2,519 12,943

1991............ 1,678 3,129 2,966 3,305 1,060 463 1,169 1,637 12,601 2,806 15,407

1992............ 3,154 3,900 3,577 3,790 1,124 487 1,303 1,690 16,033 2,993 19,026

1993............ 3,909 4,465 4,164 4,188 1,208 513 1,471 1,759 18,447 3,230 21,677

1994............ 4,167 4,504 4,666 4,533 1,274 538 1,566 1,814 19,682 3,380 23,063

1995............ 4,657 4,777 5,155 4,896 1,357 565 1,599 1,900 21,407 3,499 24,906

1996............ 4,947 5,004 5,614 5,298 1,427 590 1,643 1,977 22,880 3,621 26,501

1997............ 4,920 5,031 5,564 5,410 1,505 614 1,586 2,046 23,044 3,632 26,675

1998............ 4,965 5,150 5,901 5,777 1,588 635 1,542 2,136 24,017 3,678 27,695

1999............ 4,835 5,132 6,185 6,037 1,660 654 1,503 2,206 24,503 3,709 28,212

2000............ 4,789 5,121 6,404 6,293 1,717 675 1,470 2,309 24,999 3,779 28,778

2001............ 5,104 5,354 6,817 6,783 1,838 713 1,470 2,454 26,608 3,924 30,532

2002............ 5,353 5,484 7,048 7,131 1,909 738 1,433 2,520 27,663 3,953 31,616

2003............ 5,686 5,715 7,243 7,532 1,984 771 1,408 2,601 28,932 4,009 32,941

2004............ 6,036 5,954 7,384 7,943 2,054 809 1,366 2,657 30,179 4,023 34,202

2005............ 6,488 6,291 7,624 8,437 2,148 871 1,358 2,778 31,859 4,136 35,995

2006............ 6,948 6,656 7,760 8,943 2,235 924 1,413 2,895 33,467 4,308 37,775

2007............ 7,346 7,067 7,871 9,539 2,333 981 1,406 2,970 35,137 4,376 39,514

2008 c..........

c Payments for 2008 include $1.4 billion for SSI checks mailed in late December 2008, but reported by the Department of the Treasury in January 2009.

7,831 7,623 8,172 10,387 2,459 1,051 1,438 3,078 37,523 4,516 42,040

2009 c ......... 8,635 8,493 8,618 11,556 2,644 1,153 1,528 3,277 41,099 4,805 45,904

2010............ 9,020 9,013 8,735 12,283 2,689 1,213 1,521 3,294 42,953 4,815 47,767

2011 ........... 9,312 9,379 8,658 12,871 2,739 1,267 1,520 3,292 44,226 4,811 49,038

2012 ........... 9,877 9,921 8,756 13,834 2,980 1,417 1,534 3,384 46,785 4,918 51,703

2013d .........

d Partially estimated.

10,307 10,273 8,771 14,603 3,140 1,503 1,580 3,427 48,597 5,007 53,605
2013 SSI Annual Report

46

actually make the payments. In particular, since January 1 of each year is a Federal holiday, SSI payments

due on January 1 of years 1979 and later are actually paid in December of the previous year. For example,

the calendar year 2012 payment amounts shown in table IV.C1 reflect payments made in January-December 2012, and include the payments due on January 1, 2013 (which were actually paid in December 2012),

but not the payments due on January 1, 2012 (which were actually paid in December 2011). Second,

beginning in 1991, SSA remitted overpayment recoveries directly to the Department of the Treasury and

did not use them to reduce SSI obligations as accounted for in the Federal Budget. Tabulations in the

Annual Statistical Supplement continue to report payment amounts that are reduced by such overpayment

recoveries.

Table IV.C2 presents corresponding amounts of SSI outlays on a fiscal year basis for fiscal years1 1978-

2013. We omit fiscal years prior to 1978 because SSI payment amounts are not readily available on a fiscal

year basis for these years. As with the calendar year figures, we show these fiscal year amounts on a cashflow basis. Consequently, fiscal year totals may contain 11, 12, or 13 months of payments.2

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

1 Fiscal years 1977 and later cover the 12-month period ending September 30. For example, fiscal year 2012 payments include payments made from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012.

2 Public Law 95-216, the Social Security Amendments of 1977, enacted December 20, 1977, requires that SSI payments, which are normally due on the

first of the month, be delivered early when the normal delivery date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. As such, fiscal year 1978 contained 13

months of payments. Generally, for fiscal years 1979 and later, if October 1 of:

a) the current, but not the succeeding, fiscal year falls on a weekend, there are 11 months of payments;

b) both the current and succeeding fiscal years falls on a weekday, there are 12 months of payments (i.e., all payments are made in the fiscal years in

which they are due);

c) both the current and succeeding fiscal years falls on a weekend, there are 12 months of payments (i.e., both payments are made in the preceding fiscal

year, respectively); and 

d) the succeeding, but not current, fiscal year falls on a weekend, there are 13 months of payments.

Table IV.C2.—SSI Federal Payments in Current Dollars, Fiscal Years 1978-2013

[In millions]

Fiscal

year

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

1978............ $206 $740 $668 $1,438 $312 $22 $772 $1,076 $3,386 $1,848 $5,234

1979 a..........

a Payment due on October 1 of fiscal year paid in previous fiscal year.

226 711 620 1,265 331 20 656 954 3,172 1,610 4,782

1980............ 372 877 698 1,360 506 26 629 1,184 3,840 1,813 5,653

1981............ 442 1,039 797 1,508 625 31 647 1,307 4,442 1,954 6,396

1982............ 499 1,181 861 1,570 693 36 640 1,356 4,840 1,996 6,836

1983............ 596 1,416 1,024 1,783 806 56 660 1,510 5,680 2,170 7,850

1984 a ......... 588 1,411 1,005 1,665 760 85 613 1,391 5,514 2,004 7,517

1985............ 713 1,662 1,215 1,895 828 145 691 1,502 6,459 2,193 8,652

1986............ 800 1,864 1,386 1,995 840 196 723 1,487 7,080 2,209 9,290

1987............ 880 2,030 1,565 2,119 845 242 755 1,448 7,681 2,203 9,884

1988............ 1,009 2,356 1,898 2,425 932 316 860 1,559 8,935 2,419 11,354

1989 a ......... 1,012 2,378 1,997 2,452 910 345 862 1,473 9,094 2,335 11,430

1990 a ......... 1,039 2,378 2,115 2,479 876 362 879 1,394 9,247 2,273 11,521

1991............ 1,519 2,975 2,772 3,141 1,032 447 1,120 1,608 11,886 2,728 14,614

1992............ 2,684 3,621 3,398 3,653 1,099 476 1,269 1,680 14,932 2,949 17,881

1993............ 3,817 4,377 3,977 4,033 1,175 502 1,420 1,730 17,880 3,150 21,029

1994............ 4,328 4,771 4,866 4,756 1,344 569 1,659 1,930 20,635 3,588 24,223

1995 a ......... 4,554 4,719 5,031 4,822 1,341 560 1,596 1,884 21,027 3,480 24,507

1996 a ......... 4,543 4,595 5,123 4,830 1,305 540 1,510 1,808 20,936 3,317 24,254

1997............ 4,933 5,004 5,529 5,340 1,478 606 1,602 2,027 22,890 3,629 26,519

1998............ 4,915 5,114 5,816 5,688 1,567 630 1,548 2,110 23,729 3,658 27,387

1999............ 4,901 5,152 6,123 5,975 1,638 648 1,506 2,180 24,438 3,685 28,123

2000............ 5,152 5,500 6,827 6,692 1,822 718 1,599 2,453 26,710 4,052 30,763

2001 a ......... 4,597 4,869 6,170 6,125 1,670 652 1,352 2,236 24,083 3,588 27,671

2002............ 5,290 5,456 6,998 7,041 1,889 731 1,444 2,500 27,405 3,944 31,349

2003............ 5,558 5,623 7,170 7,390 1,957 759 1,417 2,572 28,456 3,989 32,445

2004............ 5,910 5,868 7,327 7,797 2,031 796 1,380 2,638 29,729 4,018 33,748

2005............ 6,856 6,669 8,150 8,928 2,282 916 1,463 2,945 33,800 4,409 38,208

2006 a ......... 6,832 6,560 7,739 8,813 2,207 908 1,404 2,863 33,060 4,267 37,327

2007 a ......... 6,659 6,427 7,207 8,630 2,135 895 1,297 2,731 31,952 4,028 35,981

2008............ 7,651 7,411 8,063 10,106 2,416 1,027 1,419 3,035 36,673 4,454 41,127

2009 ........... 8,389 8,241 8,493 11,208 2,598 1,126 1,505 3,233 40,056 4,737 44,793

2010............ 8,899 8,846 8,710 12,057 2,674 1,194 1,524 3,289 42,379 4,813 47,192

2011 ........... 9,938 9,981 9,355 13,650 2,921 1,341 1,636 3,532 47,186 5,168 52,354

2012 a ......... 8,986 9,042 8,075 12,549 2,699 1,276 1,409 3,111 42,627 4,521 47,147

2013 b .........

b Partially estimated.

10,139 10,157 8,740 14,339 3,086 1,478 1,562 3,410 47,940 4,971 52,911
47

2013 SSI Annual Report

The declining value of the dollar due to inflation can make it difficult to make meaningful comparisons of

dollar amounts over longer periods of time. For this reason, it is desirable to have some means of removing inflation from the 25-year projections of SSI expenditures. The CPI, which we discuss in section IV.A,

is an appropriate means of standardizing projected SSI costs over time. Table IV.C3 presents CPI-indexed

dollar values of Federal SSI payments (those adjusted by the CPI) for both the historical period, calendar

years 1974-2012, and the full 25-year projection period, 2013-37. We present this same information as a

graph in figure IV.C1. We base the projections of the CPI used for this standardization on the intermediate

economic assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report.

The future growth in the “CPI-indexed dollar” estimates is primarily attributable to the underlying growth

in the U.S. population (table IV.A1). A notable aspect of this time series of constant dollar estimates is the

rather sharp level increase from 2008 to 2009 in these amounts. This level shift is the result of the combination of the spike in the CPI for the third quarter of calendar year 2008, which caused the large 5.8 percent benefit rate increase for 2009 and the subsequent drop in the CPI for 2009.

 Figure IV.C1.—SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, in CPI-Indexed 2013 Dollars, Calendar Years 1975-2040

[In billions]

$0

$10

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

$70

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Constant 2013 dollars -- billions .

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older

Historical Projected
2013 SSI Annual Report

48

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. We estimate the historical split among age groups on a calendar year of age basis.

Table IV.C3.—SSI Federal Payments in CPI-Indexed 2013 Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2037

[Payment amounts in millions]

Calendar year

Adjusted a

CPI 

a The “adjusted CPI” is the series of actual and projected CPI values indexed to 2013 (i.e., adjusted so that the value shown for 2013 is 100.00). Projections

of the adjusted CPI are based on the intermediate economic assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report.

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974............ 21.54 $187 $2,031 $2,097 $4,496 $628 $80 $3,830 $4,447 $9,519 $8,277 $17,796

1975............ 23.51 546 2,284 2,122 4,673 808 74 3,455 4,384 10,508 7,839 18,346

1976............ 24.85 707 2,436 2,177 4,615 970 68 3,065 4,117 10,972 7,182 18,154

1977............ 26.47 859 2,534 2,187 4,437 1,124 66 2,725 3,837 11,207 6,562 17,769

1978 b .........

b Payment amounts include 13 months of payments since payments due on January 1, 1978 and January 1, 1979 were both paid in calendar year 1978.

28.48 1,061 2,741 2,298 4,606 1,339 64 2,583 3,901 12,110 6,485 18,594

1979............ 31.74 1,071 2,551 2,049 4,084 1,353 66 2,101 3,445 11,174 5,546 16,720

1980............ 36.02 1,103 2,585 2,030 3,942 1,511 77 1,782 3,415 11,248 5,197 16,445

1981............ 39.71 1,154 2,717 2,067 3,884 1,648 79 1,619 3,325 11,549 4,944 16,493

1982............ 42.09 1,218 2,877 2,098 3,777 1,673 90 1,496 3,241 11,731 4,737 16,469

1983............ 43.36 1,323 3,164 2,272 3,929 1,784 133 1,439 3,320 12,605 4,759 17,364

1984............ 44.85 1,470 3,514 2,515 4,091 1,864 227 1,494 3,371 13,682 4,866 18,547

1985............ 46.44 1,584 3,679 2,691 4,144 1,794 344 1,505 3,227 14,237 4,733 18,970

1986............ 47.16 1,763 4,091 3,080 4,332 1,798 443 1,550 3,136 15,506 4,685 20,192

1987............ 48.85 1,841 4,259 3,312 4,414 1,732 530 1,567 2,956 16,088 4,523 20,611

1988............ 50.80 1,880 4,386 3,579 4,533 1,721 598 1,603 2,852 16,697 4,455 21,152

1989............ 53.24 1,926 4,565 3,846 4,659 1,759 687 1,655 2,779 17,441 4,434 21,875

1990............ 56.05 2,142 4,746 4,274 4,982 1,728 725 1,762 2,733 18,598 4,495 23,093

1991............ 58.31 2,878 5,366 5,087 5,668 1,819 793 2,005 2,808 21,611 4,813 26,424

1992............ 60.01 5,256 6,500 5,961 6,317 1,873 812 2,171 2,817 26,719 4,988 31,707

1993............ 61.70 6,336 7,236 6,749 6,788 1,958 832 2,384 2,850 29,898 5,235 35,133

1994............ 63.26 6,587 7,120 7,376 7,167 2,014 851 2,476 2,867 31,115 5,343 36,459

1995............ 65.04 7,160 7,344 7,926 7,527 2,086 869 2,458 2,921 32,911 5,380 38,291

1996............ 66.95 7,389 7,475 8,386 7,913 2,132 881 2,455 2,953 34,176 5,408 39,584

1997............ 68.43 7,190 7,351 8,131 7,906 2,199 897 2,317 2,989 33,674 5,307 38,980

1998............ 69.34 7,160 7,427 8,510 8,331 2,290 916 2,224 3,080 34,634 5,304 39,938

1999............ 70.90 6,820 7,238 8,723 8,516 2,342 922 2,120 3,112 34,561 5,232 39,793

2000............ 73.35 6,529 6,981 8,730 8,579 2,340 921 2,004 3,148 34,079 5,152 39,231

2001............ 75.36 6,772 7,104 9,045 9,000 2,438 946 1,951 3,256 35,306 5,207 40,513

2002............ 76.39 7,008 7,179 9,227 9,335 2,499 966 1,876 3,299 36,214 5,175 41,388

2003............ 78.10 7,281 7,318 9,275 9,645 2,541 988 1,803 3,330 37,047 5,133 42,180

2004............ 80.13 7,533 7,430 9,215 9,913 2,563 1,010 1,705 3,316 37,664 5,021 42,685

2005............ 82.95 7,821 7,585 9,192 10,171 2,590 1,050 1,637 3,350 38,409 4,986 43,396

2006............ 85.62 8,113 7,774 9,063 10,445 2,611 1,079 1,650 3,382 39,085 5,031 44,117

2007............ 88.07 8,341 8,024 8,938 10,832 2,649 1,114 1,596 3,373 39,898 4,969 44,867

2008............ 91.67 8,535 8,317 8,914 11,334 2,686 1,148 1,567 3,361 40,934 4,928 45,861

2009............ 91.05 9,484 9,328 9,465 12,693 2,904 1,267 1,678 3,599 45,140 5,277 50,417

2010............ 92.93 9,706 9,698 9,399 13,217 2,893 1,306 1,636 3,545 46,219 5,181 51,400

2011............ 96.24 9,677 9,746 8,997 13,374 2,846 1,316 1,579 3,420 45,956 4,999 50,955

2012............ 98.23 10,056 10,100 8,914 14,083 3,034 1,443 1,561 3,445 47,629 5,006 52,635

Projected:

2013............ 100.00 10,307 10,273 8,771 14,603 3,140 1,503 1,580 3,427 48,597 5,007 53,605

2014............ 102.21 10,563 10,380 8,745 14,999 3,266 1,558 1,628 3,455 49,512 5,083 54,595

2015............ 104.67 10,868 10,401 8,713 15,131 3,399 1,603 1,675 3,469 50,114 5,144 55,259

2016............ 107.33 10,983 10,480 8,748 15,141 3,581 1,643 1,736 3,488 50,577 5,224 55,801

2017............ 110.23 10,584 10,621 8,847 15,122 3,782 1,693 1,791 3,528 50,649 5,319 55,968

2018............ 113.31 10,435 10,724 8,899 14,984 3,993 1,737 1,848 3,566 50,771 5,414 56,185

2019............ 116.49 10,358 10,832 8,963 14,841 4,218 1,785 1,918 3,608 50,997 5,525 56,522

2020............ 119.75 10,292 10,899 9,007 14,674 4,445 1,831 1,991 3,656 51,150 5,647 56,797

2021............ 123.10 10,019 11,019 9,113 14,541 4,658 1,889 2,039 3,732 51,238 5,771 57,010

2022............ 126.55 9,727 11,150 9,287 14,399 4,853 1,965 2,066 3,842 51,380 5,908 57,288

2023............ 130.09 9,595 11,253 9,480 14,240 5,030 2,045 2,104 3,951 51,643 6,055 57,698

2024............ 133.73 9,638 11,337 9,685 14,065 5,197 2,133 2,150 4,065 52,056 6,214 58,270

2025............ 137.48 9,700 11,392 9,873 13,863 5,339 2,233 2,195 4,186 52,399 6,381 58,780

2026............ 141.33 9,723 11,406 10,015 13,638 5,432 2,346 2,233 4,315 52,560 6,548 59,108

2027............ 145.28 9,739 11,377 10,108 13,433 5,480 2,467 2,264 4,453 52,604 6,718 59,321

2028............ 149.35 9,791 11,310 10,169 13,262 5,495 2,593 2,287 4,596 52,621 6,883 59,504

2029............ 153.53 9,877 11,241 10,208 13,150 5,489 2,728 2,302 4,750 52,694 7,053 59,747

2030............ 157.83 9,964 11,196 10,230 13,105 5,445 2,861 2,312 4,906 52,801 7,217 60,018

2031............ 162.25 10,045 11,151 10,234 13,085 5,374 2,995 2,308 5,070 52,884 7,377 60,261

2032............ 166.79 10,108 11,111 10,235 13,079 5,293 3,127 2,290 5,239 52,953 7,529 60,482

2033............ 171.46 10,152 11,078 10,249 13,064 5,227 3,245 2,266 5,403 53,016 7,669 60,685

2034............ 176.27 10,181 11,053 10,270 13,038 5,178 3,358 2,238 5,565 53,078 7,803 60,881

2035............ 181.20 10,195 11,037 10,286 13,017 5,142 3,464 2,207 5,724 53,141 7,930 61,071

2036............ 186.27 10,208 11,050 10,318 13,050 5,089 3,557 2,180 5,877 53,273 8,058 61,330

2037............ 191.49 10,193 11,063 10,311 13,104 5,016 3,638 2,147 6,025 53,325 8,173 61,497
49

2013 SSI Annual Report

Although we do not prepare detailed projections of the SSI State supplementation payments that SSA

administers, we present historical information on the amounts of such supplements in Table IV.C4 for two

broad recipient categories. These amounts are consistent with tabulations in the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Previously, this report included historical information on State-administered State supplementary payments, but complete data for all States are not available. The SSA publication, State Assistance Programs

for SSI Recipients1 provides information on selected characteristics of State assistance programs for SSI

recipients.

Table IV.C4.—SSI Federally-Administered State Supplementation Payments

in Current Dollars, Calendar Years 1974-2012

[In millions]

Calendar year Aged

Blind or

disabled Total

1974 ................................................ $631 $632 $1,264

1975 ................................................ 674 729 1,403

1976 ................................................ 635 753 1,388

1977 ................................................ 627 804 1,431

1978 ................................................ 636 855 1,491

1979 ................................................ 661 928 1,590

1980 ................................................ 757 1,091 1,848

1981 ................................................ 731 1,108 1,839

1982 ................................................ 694 1,104 1,798

1983 ................................................ 645 1,066 1,711

1984 ................................................ 645 1,148 1,792

1985 ................................................ 694 1,278 1,973

1986 ................................................ 759 1,484 2,243

1987 ................................................ 849 1,714 2,563

1988 ................................................ 873 1,798 2,671

1989 ................................................ 954 2,001 2,955

1990 ................................................ 1,038 2,201 3,239

1991 ................................................ 999 2,232 3,231

1992 ................................................ 1,023 2,412 3,435

1993 ................................................ 934 2,336 3,270

1994 ................................................ 876 2,240 3,116

1995 ................................................ 864 2,253 3,118

1996 ................................................ 833 2,155 2,988

1997 ................................................ 824 2,090 2,913

1998 ................................................ 838 2,165 3,003

1999 ................................................ 921 2,380 3,301

2000 ................................................ 943 2,439 3,381

2001 ................................................ 956 2,505 3,460

2002 ................................................ 1,051 2,768 3,820

2003 ................................................ 1,098 2,906 4,005

2004 ................................................ 1,133 3,045 4,178

2005 ................................................ 1,128 3,050 4,178

2006 ................................................ 1,147 3,006 4,153

2007 ................................................ 1,187 3,133 4,320

2008 ................................................ 1,198 3,187 4,385

2009 ................................................ 1,070 2,894 3,964

2010 ................................................ 924 2,665 3,589

2011 ................................................ 895 2,626 3,521

2012 ................................................ 827 2,478 3,305

1 Publication No. 13-11975, prepared by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, is available on the internet at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

policy/docs/progdesc/ssi_st_asst/.
2013 SSI Annual Report

50

D. FEDERAL SSI PAYMENTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

A comparison of estimated annual SSI program costs to the GDP is another relative measure of program

costs that produces an inflation-independent measure of the cost of the SSI program. Because GDP represents the total value of goods and services produced in the U.S., displaying Federal SSI payments as a percentage of GDP provides a useful perspective on the proportion of the total output of the U.S. economy

needed to provide Federal SSI benefits. As table IV.D1 and figure IV.D1 show, we project the total cost of

the SSI program relative to GDP to be relatively constant through 2014 and decline thereafter.

Table IV.D1 and figure IV.D1 present historical and projected Federal expenditures under the SSI program

as a percentage of GDP. Although SSI program costs were comparatively higher in the first few years of

the program, total Federal SSI payments during the 1980s were relatively constant as a percentage of GDP

(0.21 percent). During the early 1990s, SSI grew rather rapidly (to 0.34 percent of GDP in 1996) due to a

combination of factors (see section IV.B). Following legislation enacted in 19961, the cost of SSI

decreased as a percentage of GDP beginning in 1997 and continuing through 2000. The share of GDP

devoted to Federal SSI expenditures increased slightly after 2000, partly because of a slowdown in economic growth over that period, but resumed its very gradual downward trend from 2002 to 2007 due to

relatively slower growth in the number of SSI recipients. Beginning in 2008, however, this trend reversed

due to an increase in program recipients and a temporary decline in nominal GDP during the economic

recession. As the economy recovers, we project the gradual downward trend to resume. This ultimate

trend is the net effect of two factors. First, we project that Federal SSI expenditures, after adjusting for

growth in prices, will grow roughly in line with the population (see section IV.C). This estimate follows

from our projection that the estimated prevalence rate for the SSI recipient population will stay fairly level

during the projection period, showing only a slight decline during this period. Second, using the 2013

Trustees Report intermediate assumptions, we project that the effect of the real growth in GDP following

the recent economic downturn will be greater than the effect of projected increases in SSI recipients.

Accordingly, we project that Federal SSI payments will decline as a percentage of GDP throughout the

projection period, until it reaches 0.23 percent of GDP by 2037.

1 Public Law 104-121 and Public Law 104-193.

 Figure IV.D1.—SSI Federal Payments, by Age Group, as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1975-2040

0.00%

0.10%

0.20%

0.30%

0.40%

0.50%

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040

Calendar year

35-49

65-74

50-64

18-34

0-17

75 or older 

Historical Projected
51

2013 SSI Annual Report

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components. Historical GDP amounts subject to revision.

Table IV.D1.—SSI Federal Payments as a Percentage of GDP, Calendar Years 1974-2037 

Calendar 

year

GDP a

(In billions)

a Projected values based on the intermediate economic assumptions of the 2013 OASDI Trustees Report.

Blind or disabled, by age group Aged, by age group Totals

0-17 18-34 35-49 50-64 65-74

75 or

older 65-74

75 or

older

Blind or

disabled Aged All

Historical data:

1974 ........ $1,499 0.003 0.029 0.030 0.065 0.009 0.001 0.055 0.064 0.137 0.119 0.256

1975 ........ 1,638 .008 .033 .030 .067 .012 .001 .050 .063 .151 .113 .263

1976 ........ 1,825 .010 .033 .030 .063 .013 .001 .042 .056 .149 .098 .247

1977 ........ 2,030 .011 .033 .029 .058 .015 .001 .036 .050 .146 .086 .232

1978 ........ 2,294 .013 .034 .029 .057 .017 .001 .032 .048 .150 .081 .231

1979 ........ 2,562 .013 .032 .025 .051 .017 .001 .026 .043 .138 .069 .207

1980 ........ 2,788 .014 .033 .026 .051 .020 .001 .023 .044 .145 .067 .212

1981 ........ 3,127 .015 .035 .026 .049 .021 .001 .021 .042 .147 .063 .209

1982 ........ 3,253 .016 .037 .027 .049 .022 .001 .019 .042 .152 .061 .213

1983 ........ 3,535 .016 .039 .028 .048 .022 .002 .018 .041 .155 .058 .213

1984 ........ 3,931 .017 .040 .029 .047 .021 .003 .017 .038 .156 .056 .212

1985 ........ 4,217 .017 .041 .030 .046 .020 .004 .017 .036 .157 .052 .209

1986 ........ 4,460 .019 .043 .033 .046 .019 .005 .016 .033 .164 .050 .213

1987 ........ 4,736 .019 .044 .034 .046 .018 .005 .016 .030 .166 .047 .213

1988 ........ 5,100 .019 .044 .036 .045 .017 .006 .016 .028 .166 .044 .211

1989 ........ 5,482 .019 .044 .037 .045 .017 .007 .016 .027 .169 .043 .212

1990 ........ 5,801 .021 .046 .041 .048 .017 .007 .017 .026 .180 .043 .223

1991 ........ 5,992 .028 .052 .050 .055 .018 .008 .020 .027 .210 .047 .257

1992 ........ 6,342 .050 .061 .056 .060 .018 .008 .021 .027 .253 .047 .300

1993 ........ 6,667 .059 .067 .062 .063 .018 .008 .022 .026 .277 .048 .325

1994 ........ 7,085 .059 .064 .066 .064 .018 .008 .022 .026 .278 .048 .326

1995 ........ 7,415 .063 .064 .070 .066 .018 .008 .022 .026 .289 .047 .336

1996 ........ 7,838 .063 .064 .072 .068 .018 .008 .021 .025 .292 .046 .338

1997 ........ 8,332 .059 .060 .067 .065 .018 .007 .019 .025 .277 .044 .320

1998 ........ 8,793 .056 .059 .067 .066 .018 .007 .018 .024 .273 .042 .315

1999 ........ 9,354 .052 .055 .066 .065 .018 .007 .016 .024 .262 .040 .302

2000 ........ 9,951 .048 .051 .064 .063 .017 .007 .015 .023 .251 .038 .289

2001 ........ 10,286 .050 .052 .066 .066 .018 .007 .014 .024 .259 .038 .297

2002 ........ 10,642 .050 .052 .066 .067 .018 .007 .013 .024 .260 .037 .297

2003 ........ 11,142 .051 .051 .065 .068 .018 .007 .013 .023 .260 .036 .296

2004 ........ 11,853 .051 .050 .062 .067 .017 .007 .012 .022 .255 .034 .289

2005 ........ 12,623 .051 .050 .060 .067 .017 .007 .011 .022 .252 .033 .285

2006 ........ 13,377 .052 .050 .058 .067 .017 .007 .011 .022 .250 .032 .282

2007 ........ 14,029 .052 .050 .056 .068 .017 .007 .010 .021 .250 .031 .282

2008 ........ 14,292 .055 .053 .057 .073 .017 .007 .010 .022 .263 .032 .294

2009 ........ 13,974 .062 .061 .062 .083 .019 .008 .011 .023 .294 .034 .329

2010 ........ 14,499 .062 .062 .060 .085 .019 .008 .010 .023 .296 .033 .329

2011 ........ 15,076 .062 .062 .057 .085 .018 .008 .010 .022 .293 .032 .325

2012 ........ 15,700 .063 .063 .056 .088 .019 .009 .010 .022 .298 .031 .329

Projected:

2013 ........ 16,348 .063 .063 .054 .089 .019 .009 .010 .021 .297 .031 .328

2014 ........ 17,194 .063 .062 .052 .089 .019 .009 .010 .021 .294 .030 .325

2015 ........ 18,239 .062 .060 .050 .087 .020 .009 .010 .020 .288 .030 .317

2016 ........ 19,346 .061 .058 .049 .084 .020 .009 .010 .019 .281 .029 .310

2017 ........ 20,463 .057 .057 .048 .081 .020 .009 .010 .019 .273 .029 .301

2018 ........ 21,582 .055 .056 .047 .079 .021 .009 .010 .019 .267 .028 .295

2019 ........ 22,667 .053 .056 .046 .076 .022 .009 .010 .019 .262 .028 .290

2020 ........ 23,747 .052 .055 .045 .074 .022 .009 .010 .018 .258 .028 .286

2021 ........ 24,853 .050 .055 .045 .072 .023 .009 .010 .018 .254 .029 .282

2022 ........ 25,993 .047 .054 .045 .070 .024 .010 .010 .019 .250 .029 .279

2023 ........ 27,187 .046 .054 .045 .068 .024 .010 .010 .019 .247 .029 .276

2024 ........ 28,440 .045 .053 .046 .066 .024 .010 .010 .019 .245 .029 .274

2025 ........ 29,744 .045 .053 .046 .064 .025 .010 .010 .019 .242 .029 .272

2026 ........ 31,105 .044 .052 .046 .062 .025 .011 .010 .020 .239 .030 .269

2027 ........ 32,524 .044 .051 .045 .060 .024 .011 .010 .020 .235 .030 .265

2028 ........ 33,997 .043 .050 .045 .058 .024 .011 .010 .020 .231 .030 .261

2029 ........ 35,526 .043 .049 .044 .057 .024 .012 .010 .021 .228 .030 .258

2030 ........ 37,121 .042 .048 .043 .056 .023 .012 .010 .021 .224 .031 .255

2031 ........ 38,796 .042 .047 .043 .055 .022 .013 .010 .021 .221 .031 .252

2032 ........ 40,547 .042 .046 .042 .054 .022 .013 .009 .022 .218 .031 .249

2033 ........ 42,382 .041 .045 .041 .053 .021 .013 .009 .022 .214 .031 .246

2034 ........ 44,319 .040 .044 .041 .052 .021 .013 .009 .022 .211 .031 .242

2035 ........ 46,360 .040 .043 .040 .051 .020 .014 .009 .022 .208 .031 .239

2036 ........ 48,504 .039 .042 .040 .050 .020 .014 .008 .023 .205 .031 .236

2037 ........ 50,751 .038 .042 .039 .049 .019 .014 .008 .023 .201 .031 .232
2013 SSI Annual Report

52

E. THE SSI PROGRAM’S SHARE OF SSA’S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS 

AND BENEFICIARY SERVICES COSTS

SSA administers the SSI program, but unlike the OASDI program, general revenues fund the SSI program. When the SSI program began in 1972, the agency's existing field office network and its automated

data processing capabilities made it uniquely qualified to administer the program. Since the administration

of the SSI and OASDI programs is integrated, it is more practical to fund them from a single source. The

trust funds and the general fund pay their appropriate share of administrative expenses into SSA's Limitation on Administrative Expenses account, which funds the total operating expenses of the agency. A Government Accountability Office approved method of cost analysis determines the appropriate share of

administrative expenses borne by each funding source, and a final settlement of costs occurs by the end of

the subsequent fiscal year. If necessary, section 201(g)(1) of the Social Security Act provides that the

Social Security trust funds may finance SSI administrative expenses, including Federal administration of

State supplementation payments. General revenues subsequently reimburse the trust funds, including any

interest lost.

The SSI program also provides beneficiary services to recipients through State VR agencies and ENs for

VR services and payments under the Ticket to Work program. VR strives to help individuals with disabilities achieve and sustain productive, self-supporting work activity.

Table IV.E1.—Selected SSI Costs, Fiscal Years 1978-2013

[Outlays in millions] 

Fiscal year

SSI Administrative

expenses a

a Includes user fees charged to participating States to reimburse SSA for the costs of administering their

SSI State supplementation program.

Beneficiary

services b

b We include payments for referral and monitoring services for drug addicts and alcoholics through

December 1996; these payments were terminated effective January 1997. 

1978.................................................................. $539 $31.6

1979.................................................................. 611 57.0

1980.................................................................. 668 33.1

1981.................................................................. 717 37.3

1982.................................................................. 780 12.0

1983.................................................................. 846 8.0

1984.................................................................. 864 c 84.0

c Reflects a one-time payment to State VR agencies for prior year expenses.

1985.................................................................. 956 3.0

1986.................................................................. 1,023 7.2

1987.................................................................. 977 9.5

1988.................................................................. 976 12.9

1989.................................................................. 1,052 20.0

1990.................................................................. 1,075 28.3

1991.................................................................. 1,230 33.1

1992.................................................................. 1,426 36.0

1993.................................................................. 1,468 32.3

1994.................................................................. 1,780 33.8

1995.................................................................. 1,978 48.2

1996.................................................................. 1,953 71.8

1997.................................................................. 2,055 77.3

1998.................................................................. 2,304 46.0

1999.................................................................. 2,493 52.0

2000.................................................................. 2,321 53.7

2001.................................................................. 2,397 43.9

2002.................................................................. 2,522 54.0

2003.................................................................. 2,656 37.0

2004.................................................................. 2,806 38.6

2005.................................................................. 2,795 30.4

2006.................................................................. 2,916 38.9

2007.................................................................. 2,857 36.1

2008.................................................................. 2,820 45.1

2009.................................................................. 3,316 48.6

2010.................................................................. 3,629 46.1

2011.................................................................. 3,931 33.0

2012.................................................................. 3,881 35.5

2013 (estimated) d 3,769

d This amount does not include the extra $106 million that the President’s Budget proposes to provide, the

SSI share of the additional $266 million in funding allowed by the cap adjustment for program integrity,

consistent with section 251(b)(2)(B) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as

amended.

42.0
53

2013 SSI Annual Report

V. APPENDICES

A. HISTORY OF PROVISIONS

Act

1. Basic Eligibility Requirements

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

An individual may qualify for payments on the basis of age, blindness, or disability.

Aged: Any person aged 65 or older.

Blind: Any person with 20/200 or less vision in the better eye with the use of a

correcting lens, or with tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less. An individual transferred from a State Aid to the Blind (AB) program to Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) is eligible if he or she received such State aid in December 1973

and continues to meet the October 1972 State definition of blindness.

Disabled: Any person unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA)

by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment

expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. For a child under age 18, eligibility is

based on disability of severity comparable with that of an adult. An individual

transferred from a State Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD)

program to SSI is also eligible if he or she received such State aid in December

1973 and continues to meet the October 1972 State definition of disability.

1973

Public Law 93-233, 

enacted December 31

Only persons who had received APTD before July 1973 and were on the rolls in

December 1973 may receive SSI on the basis of the State definition of disability; those who became eligible for State aid from July to December 1973 must

meet the Federal definition of disability.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

A disabled recipient who loses Federal SSI eligibility because of earnings at the

SGA level may continue to receive a special benefit under section 1619 and

retain eligibility for Medicaid under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. This

special benefit status may continue as long as the recipient has the disabling

impairment and meets all nondisability SSI eligibility criteria. States have the

option of supplementing this special benefit.

This provision of the law was in effect from January 1, 1981, through December

31, 1983. Beginning in January 1984, under a 1-year demonstration project, this

provision was continued for persons already eligible for either regular SSI payments or special monthly benefits.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9 

The special benefit and Medicaid provisions of the 1980 legislation were

extended through June 30, 1987 (retroactive to January 1, 1984).

1986

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

The special benefit and Medicaid provisions of the 1980 amendments are made

permanent. The provisions were amended effective July 1, 1987, with significant modifications to simplify administration and to allow free movement

between regular SSI disability payments and either the special cash benefit or

Medicaid eligibility under section 1619. The distinction between a disabled person eligible for regular SSI payments and one eligible for 1619(a) is that the latter has several months with gross earnings above the SGA level. Previously,
2013 SSI Annual Report

54

Act

section 1619(a) status required completion of a trial work period and the determination that the work was SGA.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

For individuals under age 18, the “comparable severity” standard is eliminated

and replaced with a requirement that a child be considered disabled if he or she

has a medically determinable impairment that results in “marked and severe

functional limitations,” and meets the existing statutory duration requirement.

The law also eliminates references to “maladaptive behaviors” from the personal/behavioral domain of the mental disorders in the Listing of Impairments

for children, and discontinues the use of individualized functional assessments

for children.

SSI eligibility is prohibited for an individual in any month during which such an

individual is a fugitive felon, fleeing prosecution for a felony, or violating State

or Federal conditions of probation or parole. 1 In addition, SSI eligibility is prohibited for 10 years for those convicted of fraudulently claiming residence to

obtain benefits simultaneously in two or more States. 2

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Requires the Commissioner to conduct reviews of a specific percentage of SSI

initial disability and blindness cases involving individuals aged 18 or older that

are allowed by the State disability determination services (DDS). The provision

is phased in as follows—for fiscal year 2006, the Commissioner is required to

review 20 percent of DDS allowances; in fiscal year 2007, the requirement is 40

percent; and, for fiscal years 2008 and thereafter, 50 percent of all DDS allowances are required to be reviewed. These reviews are to be made before the

allowance decision is implemented.

2. Other Eligibility Provisions

a. Citizenship and U.S. Residency

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

The individual must reside within one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and be a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or

permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Persons living outside the United States for an entire calendar month lose their eligibility for such

a month.

1976

Public Law 94-241, 

enacted March 24

Eligibility for SSI is extended to residents of the Northern Mariana Islands,

effective January 9, 1978.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

The income and resources of the immigration sponsors of aliens applying for

SSI are considered in determining eligibility for and the amount of payment.

After allowances for the needs of the sponsor and his or her family, the remain1 In 2009, the agency entered into a nationwide class action settlement that limits the felony crime offense codes upon

which fugitive felon non-payments may be based under this statute. In 2012, based on a Federal court order, the

agency stopped suspending and denying Title II and Title XVI benefits based solely on a probation or parole violation

warrant.

2 Lawmakers repealed this last provision in the 1999 Public Law 106-169 and replaced it with a provision providing

for nonpayment of benefits for up to 24 months for knowingly making false or misleading statements regarding material facts.
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der is deemed available for the support of the alien applicant for a 3-year period

after admission to the United States for permanent residence. This provision

does not apply to those who become blind or disabled after admission, to refugees, or to persons granted political asylum. (See section 2.g. for subsequent

changes to sponsor-to-alien deeming provisions.)

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

SSI eligibility is continued for a disabled or blind child who was receiving SSI

benefits while living in the United States and is now living with a parent who is

a member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to permanent duty ashore outside

the United States but not where the parent is stationed in Puerto Rico or the territories and possessions of the United States.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Above provision made applicable where the parent is a member of the U.S.

Armed Forces and stationed in Puerto Rico or the territories and possessions of

the United States.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Prohibits SSI eligibility for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or national unless

they are in a “qualified alien” category and meet one of certain exceptions such

as lawful permanent residents who earn or can be credited with 40 qualifying

quarters of earnings, certain refugee type categories eligible for up to 5 years of

time limited eligibility, or active duty U.S. military or veterans and their spouses

and children. Extends eligibility for aliens receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996

(the enactment date of the law) for 1 year after the enactment date for those

aliens found ineligible under the new standards.

Public Law 104-208, 

enacted September 30

Amends Public Law 104-193 to add to the list of “qualified aliens” certain noncitizens (and their children) who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent or a member of the spouse’s or parent’s family living

in the same household.

1997

Public Law 105-18, 

enacted June 12

Extends eligibility for aliens receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996 until September 30, 1997 for those found ineligible under the new alien standards of Public

Law 104-193.

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Further amends Public Law 104-193 to add Cuban and Haitian entrants and the

child of a parent who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to the list

of qualified aliens. Provides that Cuban and Haitian entrants and Amerasian

immigrants qualify for time limited eligibility and increases the time limit from

5 to 7 years for all time-limited categories. Additional exceptions are added for

qualified aliens: (1) lawfully residing in the United States and receiving SSI

benefits on August 22, 1996; and (2) lawfully residing in the United States on

August 22, 1996 and meeting the definition of blind or disabled in the Social

Security Act.

Certain noncitizen American Indians are excepted from the alien nonpayment

provisions of Public Law 104-193. Extends eligibility for “nonqualified aliens”

receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996, until September 30, 1998.

1998

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

Permanently extends eligibility of all remaining “nonqualified aliens” who

were receiving SSI benefits when Public Law 104-193 was enacted on

August 22, 1996.
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2000

Public Law 106-386, 

enacted October 28

Noncitizens may be eligible for SSI to the same extent as refugees, if they have

been certified by the Department of Health and Human Services to be victims of

“severe forms of trafficking in persons.”

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Extends SSI eligibility to blind or disabled children who are U.S. citizens living

with a parent assigned to permanent U.S. military duty outside of the United

States, and who were not receiving SSI benefits while in the United States. Previously, only blind or disabled children who received an SSI benefit for the

month before the parent reported for permanent duty abroad were eligible.

Effective April 2004 for applications filed after enactment.

2007

Public Law 110-161, 

enacted December 26

Provides certain Iraqi and Afghan aliens with special immigrant status as

described in section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As special immigrants, these Iraqi and Afghan aliens are eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to refugees admitted

under section 207 of such Act (admission of refugees in emergency situations)

for a period not to exceed 6 months.

2008

Public Law 110-181, 

enacted January 28

Provides certain Iraqi aliens who have provided service to the United States

with special immigrant status, as described in section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As special immigrants, these Iraqis are eligible for

resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits available to

refugees admitted under section 207 of such Act (admission of refugees in

emergency situations) for a period not to exceed 8 months.

Public Law 110-328, 

enacted September 30

Extends the 7-year SSI eligibility period for certain refugees, asylees, and other

humanitarian immigrants (including victims of human trafficking) to 9 years for

the period October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011. Those with naturalization applications pending or awaiting the swearing-in-ceremony are exempt

from time limitations through September 30, 2011. Also applies to the noncitizens whose SSI had previously ceased due to the expiration of the 7-year period.

For these noncitizens, SSI benefits will be paid for months in the period October

1, 2008 through September 30, 2011, for the duration of the noncitizen’s reestablished eligibility.

2009

Public Law 111-118, 

enacted December 19

Eliminates the 8-month time limit on SSI eligibility for certain Iraqi and Afghan

refugees who have provided service to the United States. The time-limited eligibility for these individuals is now the same period applicable to other humanitarian refugees.

b. Other Benefits

1980

Public Law 96-272, 

enacted June 17

SSI applicants and recipients are not required as a condition of eligibility to

elect to receive Veterans Administration pensions under the Veterans and Survivors’ Pension Improvement Act of 1978 if the State of residence lacks a medically-needy program under Title XIX.
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c. Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA)

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any disabled individual who has been medically determined to be an alcoholic

or drug addict must accept appropriate treatment, if available, in an approved

facility and demonstrate compliance with conditions and requirements for treatment.

SSI payments are required to be made through a representative payee—another

person or public or private agency designated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to manage the recipient’s benefits on his or her behalf.

1994

Public Law 103-296, 

enacted August 15

Any individual who is receiving SSI based on a disability where drug addiction

or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the finding of disability must

comply with the DAA treatment requirements. The individual must accept

appropriate treatment when it is available and comply with the conditions and

terms of treatment. Instances of noncompliance with the requirements result in

progressively longer payment suspensions. Before payments can resume, the

individual must demonstrate compliance for specific periods: 2 months, 3

months, and 6 months, respectively, for the first, second, third and subsequent

instances of noncompliance. An individual who is not in compliance with the

DAA treatment requirements for 12 consecutive months shall not be eligible for

payments; however, this does not prevent such individuals from reapplying and

again becoming eligible for payments.

SSI disability payments based on DAA are also limited to a total of 36 benefit

months (beginning March 1995) regardless of whether appropriate treatment is

available. Months for which benefits are not due and received do not count

towards the 36-month limit.

Payments based on DAA must be made to a representative payee. Preference is

required to be given to community based nonprofit social service agencies and

Federal, State, or local government agencies in representative payee selection.

These agencies when serving as payees for individuals receiving payments

based on DAA may retain the lesser of 10 percent of the monthly benefit or $50

(adjusted annually after 1995 by the Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase) as

compensation for their services.

Establishment of one or more referral and monitoring agencies for each State is

required.

1996

Public Law 104-121, 

enacted March 29

An individual is not considered disabled if DAA is a contributing factor material

to a finding of disability.

Applies DAA representative payee requirements enacted under Public Law 103-

296 to disabled SSI recipients who have a DAA condition and are incapable of

managing their benefits. In addition, these recipients shall be referred to the

appropriate State agency administering the State plan for substance abuse treatment.

d. Institutionalization

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

An individual who is an inmate of a public institution is ineligible for SSI payments unless the institution is a facility approved for Medicaid payments and is
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receiving such payments on behalf of the person. Under regulations, the Medicaid payment must represent more than 50 percent of the cost of services provided by the facility to the individual.

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

An inmate of a publicly operated community residence serving no more than 16

persons may, if otherwise eligible, receive SSI.

1983

Public Law 98-21, 

enacted April 20

Payments may be made to persons who are residents of public emergency shelters for the homeless for a period of up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

1986

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

Effective July 1, 1987, disabled or blind recipients who were receiving special

SSI payments or had special SSI recipient status under section 1619 in the

month preceding the first full month of institutionalization, may receive payments based on the full Federal benefit rate for the initial 2 full months of institutionalization if they reside in certain public medical, psychiatric or Medicaid

facilities or in private Medicaid facilities.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Effective January 1, 1988, payments may be made to persons who are residents

of public emergency shelters for the homeless for up to 6 months in a 9-month

period.

Effective July 1, 1988, continued payment of SSI benefits for up to 3 months is

permitted, at the rate that was applicable in the month prior to the first full

month of institutionalization, for individuals whose expected institutional stay

on admission is not likely to exceed 3 months as certified by a physician, and

for whom the receipt of benefits is necessary to maintain living arrangements to

which they may return.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Effective December 1996, institutionalized children under age 18 whose private

health insurance is making payments to the institution may receive no more than

$30 per month in Federal SSI.

e. Vocational Rehabilitation and Treatment

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Blind or disabled individuals receiving Federal SSI benefits who are under age

65, must be referred to the State agency providing services under the Vocational

Rehabilitation Act and must accept the services offered. States are reimbursed

for the cost of services.

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Blind or disabled children under age 16 must be referred to the State agency

administering crippled children’s services or to another agency designated by

the State. States are reimbursed for the cost of services.

Of funds provided for these services, at least 90 percent must be used for children under age 6 or for those who have never attended public schools.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Disabled SSI recipients who medically recover while enrolled in approved

vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs of State VR agencies, may continue to

receive benefits during their participation in such programs if the Commissioner
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of Social Security determines that continuation in the program will increase the

probability that they leave the rolls permanently.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Funding no longer provided under Title XVI for medical, social, developmental

and rehabilitative services to disabled or blind children.

Reimbursement for the cost of rehabilitation services will be made only if the

services result in the recipient’s return to work for a continuous period of

9 months. The work must be at the substantial gainful activity earnings level.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9

Authorizes the reimbursement of States for the cost of VR services provided to

individuals who (1) continue to receive benefits after medical recovery because

they are participating in a State VR program; or (2) refuse, without good cause,

to continue in or cooperate with the VR program in which they had been participating.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Extends the provision for continuation of payments to disabled SSI recipients

who have medically recovered while enrolled in an approved VR program to

include blind SSI recipients.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Reimbursement authorized for the cost of VR services provided in months in

which the individual was not receiving Federal SSI payments, if:

 • SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility purposes was retained under

work incentive provisions; or 

 • Benefits were in suspense 1 status (for a reason other than cessation of disability or blindness); or

 • Federally-administered State supplementation was received.

Extends benefit continuation provision to disabled SSI recipients who medically

recover while participating in a non-State VR program.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

Establishes a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program which will provide

SSI and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) beneficiaries

entitled on the basis of disability with a ticket that can be used to obtain VR services, employment services, or other support services, from an employment network (EN) of their choice. An EN chooses one of the two EN payment options

at the time it submits an application to SSA to become an EN. The chosen payment system will apply to all beneficiaries served. An EN can elect to receive

payment under the:

 • Outcome payment system, under which it can receive payment for up to 60

outcome payment months, which are defined as months in which SSA does

not pay any Federal disability cash benefits to a beneficiary because of

work or earnings; or

1 Recipients who have lost eligibility for SSI benefits for fewer than 13 consecutive months are in suspended payment

status.
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 • Outcome-milestone payment system, under which it can receive payment

for one or more milestones in addition to reduced outcome payments, but

will receive less in total than under the outcome payment system. 

The Commissioner will initially establish and periodically review the amount

and duration of the outcome payments and the number and amounts of the outcome-milestone payments.

Also eliminates the requirement that blind or disabled SSI recipients age 16

through 64 be referred to the State VR agency and accept the services offered.

Under the initial regulation, effective January 28, 2002:

 • The outcome payment system provided that ENs could receive payment for

up to 60 outcome payment months for both OASDI and SSI beneficiaries

based on earnings exceeding the SGA level and the beneficiary no longer

receiving Federal disability cash benefits because of work or earnings; and

 • The outcome-milestone payment system provided that ENs could receive

up to four milestone payments in addition to reduced outcome payments.

The four milestones were based on gross earnings exceeding the SGA level

for specified months. Milestone payments were made only for milestones

achieved prior to the first outcome payment month, and outcome payments

were reduced by the amount of milestone payments received. Four milestone payments plus 60 months of reduced outcome payments equaled 85

percent of the total that would be available if the EN chose the outcome

payment system. 

Under the revised regulation, effective July 21, 2008:

 • The outcome payment system provides that ENs can receive payment for

up to 60 outcome payment months for an SSI beneficiary and up to 36 outcome payment months for an OASDI beneficiary (including a concurrent

OASDI/SSI disability beneficiary), with the reduction in available number

of outcome months for OASDI beneficiaries offset by an increased outcome payment; and

 • The outcome-milestone payment system provides that ENs can receive the

following milestone payments in addition to outcome payments:

 — Up to four Phase 1 milestones achieved by either an OASDI or SSI

beneficiary (including a concurrent OASDI/SSI disability beneficiary); and

 — Up to 11 Phase 2 milestones achieved by an OASDI or concurrent

beneficiary or up to 18 Phase 2 milestones achieved by an SSI beneficiary.

Phase 1 milestones are based on gross earnings at or above trial work level for

specified months, and Phase 2 milestones are based on gross earnings exceeding

the SGA level for specified months. These milestones must occur before the EN

enters the first month for which it is eligible for an outcome payment. If an

available milestone payment is not paid prior to the outcome period, it is payable in a reconciliation payment when the beneficiary reaches the 12th outcome

month. This payment amount is equal to the total amount of unpaid Phase 1 and

Phase 2 milestones that were available when the ticket was first assigned. The
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Phase 1 and Phase 2 milestone payments and outcome payments equal 90 percent of the total that would be available if the EN chose the outcome payment

system.

f. Continuing Disability Reviews and Eligibility Redeterminations

1994

Public Law 103-296, 

enacted August 15

During each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, requires SSA to conduct continuing disability reviews (CDRs) on a minimum of 100,000 SSI recipients. In

addition, during the same period, requires SSA to redetermine the SSI eligibility

of at least one-third of all child SSI recipients who reach age 18 after April 1995

during the 1-year period following attainment of age 18. Redeterminations for

persons turning age 18 could count toward the 100,000 CDR requirement.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Repeals the requirement that SSA redetermine the eligibility of at least one-third

of all child SSI recipients who reach age 18 after April 1995 during the 1-year

period following attainment of age 18.

Requires a CDR:

 • At least once every 3 years for SSI recipients under age 18 who are eligible

by reason of an impairment that is likely to improve, and

 • Not later than 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is

a contributing factor material to the determination of their disability.

Requires eligibility redetermination under the adult disability standard for all

child SSI recipients eligible for the month before the month in which they attain

age 18.

Requires redetermination of eligibility for children considered disabled based

on an individualized functional assessment or consideration of maladaptive

behavior.

Requires the representative payee of a child SSI recipient whose continuing eligibility is being reviewed to present evidence that the recipient is receiving

treatment that is considered medically necessary and available for the condition

that was the basis for providing SSI benefits.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to extend from 12 to 18 months the

period for redetermining the disability of children under age 18 under the new

childhood disability standard.

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to permit SSA to schedule a CDR

for a disabled child for whom low birth weight is a contributing factor material

to the determination of disability, at a date after the child’s first birthday if the

Commissioner determines the impairment is not expected to improve within 12

months of the child’s birth.

Modifies provision of Public Law 104-193 to provide SSA the authority to

make redeterminations of disabled childhood recipients who attain age 18, more

than 1 year after the date such recipient attains age 18.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

Prohibits the initiation of a CDR during the period that a recipient is “using a

ticket” under the Ticket to Work program.
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g. Deeming of Income and Resources

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Deeming occurs when the income and resources of certain family members living in the same household with the SSI recipient are considered in determining

the amount of the SSI payment. These family members are the ineligible spouse

of an adult recipient and the ineligible parents of a child recipient under age 21.

After deduction of personal allocations for the spouse (or parents) and for ineligible children in the home, and after application of income exclusions, any

remaining income of the spouse (or parents) is added to the income of the eligible person.

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Children aged 18 or older are not subject to parental deeming.

Sponsor’s income and resources deemed to an alien for 3 years.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Disabled children receiving home care services under State Medicaid programs

who are ineligible for SSI because of deeming of parental income, and who

received SSI benefits limited to $30 while in a medical treatment facility may

receive the $30 monthly allowance that would be payable if the recipient were

institutionalized.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Considers an ineligible spouse or parent who is absent from the household due

to active military service to be a member of the household for deeming purposes.

Public Law 103-152, 

enacted November 24

Sponsor-to-alien deeming period extended from 3 years to 5 years, effective

January 1, 1994, through September 30, 1996.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Deeming of income and resources from an immigration sponsor to a noncitizen

continues until citizenship, with exceptions for those who earn, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings. Effective for those whose sponsor

signs a new legally enforceable affidavit of support.

Public Law 104-208, 

enacted September 30

Amends Public Law 104-193 to add two exceptions to the sponsor-to-alien

deeming:

 • Provides that if the noncitizen is indigent and would be unable to obtain

food and shelter without SSI benefits even after receiving support from the

sponsor, then only the amount of income and resources actually provided

by the sponsor will be counted for a 12-month period after a determination

of indigence; and

 • Provides that in certain cases, deeming would not apply for a 12-month

period (with some options for extension) if the noncitizen (or his or her

children) has been battered, or subjected to extreme cruelty by family

members.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Amends Public Law 104-208 to add an additional exception to sponsor-to-alien

deeming when the parent of a noncitizen has been battered or subjected to

extreme cruelty by family members.
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2006

Public Law 109-163, 

enacted January 6

Provides that individuals who were made ineligible for SSI because of their

spouses or parents being called to active military duty would not have to file a

new application for SSI benefits if they again could be eligible for benefits

before the end of 24 consecutive months of ineligibility.

3. Federal Benefit Payments

a. Windfall Offset

1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Offset (by reduction of retroactive Social Security benefits) to prevent persons

whose initial OASDI payment is retroactive from receiving more in total benefits than if they were paid the benefits when regularly due.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Offset provision expanded to allow for reduction of retroactive SSI benefits and

to apply in cases of OASDI benefit reinstatement.

b. Proration of Benefit

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Benefit for first month of eligibility to be prorated by the number of days in the

month for which an application has been filed and there is eligibility.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Changes the effective date of an SSI application to the first day of the month

following the date on which the application was filed or on which the individual

first becomes eligible, whichever is later. This change, in effect, eliminates prorated payments in initial claims.

c. Retrospective Monthly Accounting

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Changes the method of computing the SSI payment to one under which the payment amount is computed on a monthly basis and is based on income and other

characteristics in the previous (or second previous) month.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Changes the method of computing the SSI benefit to persons receiving OASDI

payments. The effect of the increased OASDI income at the time of the cost-ofliving increase is not delayed as it otherwise would be.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides an exception to retrospective monthly accounting so that amounts

received under Aid to Families With Dependent Children, foster care, refugee

cash assistance, Cuban-Haitian entrant assistance, or general and child welfare

assistance provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are counted only in the

month received.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Changes the method of computing the SSI benefit to persons receiving the value

of the one-third reduction. The effect of the increased value at the time of the

cost-of-living increase is not delayed as it otherwise would be. Effective January

1995.
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2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Eliminates triple counting of one-time, nonrecurring income by providing that

this income will be counted only for the month that the income is received, and

not for any other month during the transition to retrospective monthly accounting, which occurs during the first 3 months of an individual’s SSI eligibility.

Effective April 2005.

d. Uncashed Checks

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

States that have Federally-administered supplements to be credited their share

of SSI checks that remain unnegotiated for 180 days.

1987

Public Law 100-86, 

enacted August 10

SSI checks now unnegotiable after 1 year. States are credited their share of SSI

checks after 1 year rather than 180 days.

e. Rounding of Payment Amounts

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Cost-of-living adjustments in the Federal SSI benefit and income eligibility levels are to be rounded to the next lower whole dollar, after the adjustment is calculated. Subsequent cost-of-living adjustments will be calculated on the

previous year’s benefit standard before rounding.

f. Penalties for False or Misleading Statements or Withholding of 

Information

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Provides for the nonpayment of OASDI and SSI benefits (6, 12 and 24 months,

respectively, for the first, second, and third or subsequent violations) for individuals found to have knowingly made a false or misleading statement of material fact for use in determining eligibility for benefits.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Expands the administrative sanction of nonpayment of benefits to situations

where an individual has failed to disclose material information, if the person

knew or should have known that such failure was misleading.

Authorizes Federal courts to order a defendant convicted of defrauding Social

Security, Special Veterans’ Benefits, or SSI to make restitution to SSA. Restitution funds would be deposited to the trust funds or General Fund of the Treasury, as appropriate. Effective with respect to violations occurring on or after the

date of enactment.

g. Installment Payments

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Establishes a schedule for paying retroactive SSI payment amounts that exceed

12 times the Federal benefit rate (FBR) plus the State supplement level. Payments would be made at 6-month intervals:

 • The first installment would be 12 times the FBR plus any Federally administered State supplement.

 • Any remaining retroactive benefits would be paid in a second installment

(not to exceed the first payment amount).
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 • All remaining retroactive benefits would be paid in the third installment.

Provides that where an underpaid individual has incurred debts to provide for

food, clothing or shelter, has expenses for disability-related items and services

that exceed the installment amount, or has entered into a contract to purchase a

home, the installment payment would be increased by the amount needed to

cover those debts, expenses and obligations.

Provides that full retroactive payments be paid to an individual who is terminally ill or, if currently ineligible, is likely to remain so for the next 12 months.

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Requires that past-due monthly SSI benefits that exceed three times the maximum monthly benefit (Federal benefit rate plus State supplementation payment

amount, if any) payable to the individual be paid in up to three installment payments, 6 months apart. Also, limits the amount of the first two installment payments to three times the maximum monthly benefit. All remaining benefits due

are to be paid in the third installment. As under current law, the amounts of the

installment payments may be increased in certain cases, such as those in which

the individual has outstanding debt relating to food, clothing, or shelter, or has

necessary medical needs.

Effective 3 months after February 8, 2006.

h. Retroactive Payments to Prisoners, Fugitive Felons, and Probation or 

Parole Violators

2009

Public Law 111-115, 

enacted December 15

Prohibits the payment of any retroactive SSI benefits to individuals while they

are in prison; in violation of conditions of their parole or probation; or fleeing to

avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement for a felony or a crime punishable

by sentence of more than 1 year.

4. Federal Benefit Rates

The Federal benefit rate is the standard SSA uses to compute the amount of Federal SSI payments. Federal

benefit rates differ for individuals and couples living in households and for persons in medical treatment

facilities where Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of care. Individuals or couples living in

their own households are eligible for the full Federal benefit rate. If an individual or couple is living in

another person’s household and receiving support and maintenance there, we reduce the Federal benefit

rate by one-third. We increase the Federal benefit rate for persons in households annually to reflect

increases in the cost of living. There is a summary of legislation affecting the level of Federal benefit rates

since the inception of the SSI program in table V.A1.
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Table V.A1.—Federal Benefit Rates Set by Legislation

Act Living arrangements a

Amount b

Individual Couple Conditions

1972 c ....... Own household d $130.00 $195.00 Was to be effective January 1, 1974; superseded by Public Law 

93-233.

1973 e ....... — 140.00 210.00 Was to be effective January 1, 1974; superseded by Public Law 

93-233.

1973 f ....... — 140.00 210.00 Effective January 1, 1974.

1973 f ....... — 146.00 219.00 Effective July 1, 1974.

1974 g....... — — — Mechanism established for providing cost-of-living 

adjustments coordinated with earlier legislation applying to 

OASDI cash benefits. SSI payments to be increased by the 

same percentage as OASDI benefits and at the same time.

— h 157.70 h 236.60 Effective July 1, 1975.

1983 i ....... — 304.30 456.40 Effective July 1, 1983 (general benefit increase).

— h 314.00 h 472.00 Effective January 1, 1984.

1973 e ....... Increment for 

“essential person” 

in household

65.00 — Was to be effective January 1, 1974. For persons transferred 

from OAA, AB, or APTD programs who were receiving 

payments in December 1973 under a State plan that took 

account of “essential persons” in the household.

— 70.00 — Was to be effective July 1, 1974.

1973 f ....... — 70.00 — Effective January 1, 1974.

— 73.00 — Effective July 1, 1974.

1974 g ....... — — — Mechanism established for providing cost-of-living 

adjustments.

— h 78.90 — Effective July 1, 1975.

1983 i ........ — 152.50 — Effective July 1, 1983 (general benefit increase).

— h 157.00 — Effective January 1, 1984.

1972 c ....... Receiving institutional 

care covered by 

Medicaid

25.00 50.00 Effective January 1, 1974. Must be receiving more than 50 

percent of the cost of the care from Medicaid (Title XIX of 

the Social Security Act).

1987 j........ — 30.00 60.00 Effective July 1, 1988. Must be receiving more than 50 percent 

of the cost of the care from Medicaid (Title XIX of the 

Social Security Act).

a For those in another person’s household receiving support and maintenance there, the Federal benefit rate is reduced by one-third. b For those without countable income. These payments are reduced by the amount of countable income of the individual or couple. c Public Law 92-603, enacted October 30, 1972.

d Includes persons in private institutions whose care is not provided by Medicaid.

e Public Law 93-66, enacted July 9, 1973.

f Public Law 93-233, enacted December 31, 1973.

g Public Law 93-368, enacted August 7, 1974.

h Subject to automatic provisions, see table IV.A2.

i Public Law 98-21, enacted April 20, 1983.

j Public Law 100-203, enacted December 22, 1987.
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5. Exclusions from Income

a. General Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

The first $60 of earned or unearned income per calendar quarter for an individual or couple; the next $195 and one-half the remainder of quarterly earned

income. Unearned income includes Social Security benefits, other government

or private pensions, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

The first $20 of earned or unearned income per month for an individual or couple; the next $65 and one-half the remainder of monthly earned income.

Unearned income includes Social Security benefits, other government or private

pensions, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Earnings of persons defined as Social Security statutory employees are treated

as self-employment income for SSI purposes.

b. Special Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any amount of tax rebate issued to an individual by any public agency that is

based on either real property or food purchase taxes.

Grants, scholarships, and fellowships used to pay tuition and fees at an educational institution.

Income required for achieving an approved self-support plan for blind or disabled persons.

Work expenses of blind persons.

For blind persons transferred from State programs to SSI, income exclusions

equal to the maximum amount permitted as of October 1972 under the State

programs.

Irregularly or infrequently received income totaling $60 or less of unearned

income and $30 of earned income in a calendar quarter.

Payment for foster care of ineligible child residing in recipient’s home through

placement by a public or private nonprofit child care agency.

One-third of any payment received from an absent parent for the support of a

child eligible for SSI.

Certain earnings of a blind or disabled child under age 22 regularly attending an

educational institution.

State or local government cash payments based on need and designed to supplement SSI payments.

1976

Public Law 94-331, 

enacted June 30

Disaster assistance from income for 9 months and application of one-third

reduction for 6 months for certain victims of disasters occurring between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 1976.

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Any assistance based on need (including vendor payments) made to or on behalf

of SSI recipients that is paid and wholly funded by State or local governments.
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Act

The value of assistance provided under certain Federal housing programs.

1977

Public Law 95-113, 

enacted September 29

Food stamps, Federally donated food, and the value of free or reduced price

food for women and children under the Child Nutrition Act and National School

Lunch Act.

Public Law 95-171, 

enacted November 12

Provisions for exclusions for support and maintenance under the Disaster Relief

and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 extended on a permanent basis. Effective January 1, 1978.

1980

Public Law 96-222, 

enacted April 1

Earned income tax credit treated as earned income (temporarily excluded from

1975 through 1980).

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Remunerations received in sheltered workshops and work activity centers are

considered earned income and qualify for earned income exclusions.

Impairment-related work expenses paid by the individual (including cost for

attendant care, medical equipment, drugs, and services necessary to control an

impairment) are deducted from earnings when determining if an individual is

engaging in SGA. Impairment-related work expenses are excluded in calculating income for benefit purposes if initial eligibility for benefits exists on the

basis of countable income without applying this exclusion.

1981

Public Law 97-35, 

enacted August 13

Modifies provision under which irregularly or infrequently received income is

excluded to conform to change from quarterly to monthly accounting; amounts

excludable: $20 or less of unearned income and $10 of earned income in a

month.

1982

Public Law 97-377, 

enacted December 21

From December 18, 1982 to September 30, 1983, certain home energy assistance payments are excluded if a State agency certified that they are based on

need.

1983

Public Law 97-424, 

enacted January 6

Support or maintenance assistance (including home energy assistance) provided

in-kind by a nonprofit organization or in cash or in-kind by certain providers of

home energy is excluded if the State determines that the assistance is based on

need. Provision is applicable through September 1984.

Certain home energy assistance payments are excluded if a State agency certified that the assistance is based on need. Provision is applicable through June

1985.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

The 1983 provisions for support and maintenance and home energy assistance

continue to October 1, 1987.

1986

Public Law 99-498, 

enacted October 17

Educational assistance used for educational expenses under the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

The 1983 provisions for support and maintenance and home energy assistance

made permanent.
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Excludes death payments (e.g., proceeds from life insurance) from SSI income

determinations to the extent they were spent on last illness and burial.

Modifies the 1982 resource exclusion for burial funds to extend the exclusion to

any burial fund of $1,500 or less maintained separately from all other assets,

thereby allowing interest to be excluded from income if retained in the fund.

1988

Public Law 100-383, 

enacted August 10

Restitution payments made to Japanese internees and relocated Aleutians.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Interest on agreements representing the purchase of an excluded burial space.

Payments from the Agent Orange Settlement.

Value of a ticket for domestic travel received as a gift and not cashed.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Earned income tax credit (including the child health insurance portion).

Payments received from a State-administered fund established to aid victims of

crime.

Impairment-related work expenses excluded from income in determining initial

eligibility for benefits.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance.

Payments received under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

Redefines as earned income, royalties earned in connection with any publication

of the individual’s work and honoraria received for services rendered (previously defined as unearned income).

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Hostile fire pay to members of the uniformed services.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance made permanent.

1994

Public Law 103-286, 

enacted August 1

Payments to victims of Nazi persecution.

1998

Public Law 105-285, 

enacted October 27

Funds made available to an SSI recipient by a State or local government or a

nonprofit organization as part of the Individual Development Account demonstration project.

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

In-kind gifts to children with life-threatening conditions by tax-exempt organizations not converted to cash.

The first $2,000 annually of cash gifts by tax-exempt organizations to, or for the

benefit of, individuals under age 18 with life-threatening conditions.

Public Law 105-369, 

enacted November 12

Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998.
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Act

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Interest on funds deposited in an Individual Development Account.

Any adjustments made to prior payments from other Federal programs to

account for the error in the computation of the Consumer Price Index during

1999.

2001

Public Law 107-16, 

enacted June 7

The refundable child tax credit is excluded in determining eligibility for meanstested programs, including SSI.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Changes the calculation of infrequent or irregular income from a monthly to a

quarterly basis. Excludes from the determination of an individual’s income all

interest and dividend income earned on countable resources. Effective July

2004.

Permits the student earned income exclusion to apply to any individual under

age 22 who is a student. Thus, students under age 22 who are married or heads

of households would be eligible for the exclusion. Effective April 2005.

Excludes from the determination of income any gift to an individual for use in

paying tuition or educational fees, just as grants, scholarships, and fellowships

for such use are currently excluded from the determination of income. Effective

June 2004.

2005

Public Law 109-64, 

enacted September 20

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to specify that assistance

provided under a program for flood mitigation activities with respect to a property would not be considered income or a resource of the owner of the property

when determining eligibility for or benefit levels under any income assistance or

resource-tested program (including SSI) that is funded in whole or in part by a

Federal agency or by appropriated Federal funds.

2006

Public-Law 109-432, 

enacted December 20

Extends the present law that allows combat pay to be considered for Earned

Income Tax Credit (EITC) purposes for one additional year (for taxable years

ending before January 1, 2008). For SSI purposes, EITC payments are excluded

from income and are not a countable resource for 9 calendar months following

the month of receipt.

2008

Public Law 110-185, 

enacted February 13

A rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and any

other credit or refund under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code would

not be taken into account as income for purposes of SSI.

Public Law 110-245, 

enacted June 17

Privatized military housing allowances withdrawn directly from a service member’s pay by military payroll and paid to the landlord will be considered in-kind

income, and the SSI benefit reduction attributable to the housing allowance will

be capped at one-third of the Federal benefit rate. In other cases, housing allowances will be considered earned income.

Excludes any cash or in-kind benefits provided under an AmeriCorps program

from income consideration. Effective for benefits payable for months beginning

60 days after enactment. 
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Excludes annuity payments paid by a State to a person or his or her spouse

because the State has determined the person is a veteran and blind, disabled, or

aged.

2009

Public Law 111-5, 

enacted February 17 

A one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to SSI recipients will not be

taken into account as income for purposes of SSI.

The Making Work Pay tax credit, which provides a tax credit in the form of

decreased withholding by employers, will not be counted as income.

A one-time payment of $15,000 for eligible Filipino veterans who are citizens

of the United States and $9,000 for eligible veterans who are noncitizens will

not be taken into account as income for SSI purposes.

2010

Public Law 111-148, 

enacted March 23

Excludes incentives an SSI recipient with Medicaid receives for participating in

an “Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases in Medicaid” program from

consideration as income.

Public Law 111-255, 

enacted October 5

Excludes the first $2,000 received during a calendar year by an SSI recipient or

spouse as compensation for participation in a clinical trial for rare diseases or

conditions from consideration as income. The exclusion is effective for a 5-year

period from date of enactment.

Public Law 111-291, 

enacted December 8

Excludes any settlement payments to American Indians under the Claims Resettlement Act of 2010 from consideration as income.

Public Law 111-312, 

enacted December 17

Excludes Federal tax refunds and advance payment of refundable tax credits

received after December 31, 2009 but before January 1, 2013 from consideration as income.

2013

Public Law 112-240, 

enacted January 2

Makes permanent the exclusion from income of all refundable, Federal,

advanced tax credits.

6. Resources

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Countable resources limited to $1,500 or less for an individual and to $2,250 or

less for a couple.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Limit on countable resources raised by $100 a year for individuals and $150 a

year for couples beginning in calendar year 1985 through 1989. The respective

limits would become $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 1989

and thereafter.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Includes generally in the countable resources of an individual the assets of a

trust that could be used for the benefit of the individual or spouse.

a. General Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

A home of reasonable value—established by regulation as not exceeding a fairmarket value of $25,000 ($35,000 in Alaska and Hawaii).
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Personal effects and household goods of reasonable value established by regulation as not exceeding a total market value of $1,500.

An automobile of reasonable value—established by regulation as not exceeding

a market value of $1,200.

An automobile may be excluded, regardless of value, if the individual’s household uses it for employment or medical treatment, or if it is modified to be operated by or for transportation of a person with a disability.

Life insurance with face value of $1,500 or less.

1976

Public Law 94-569, 

enacted October 20

The recipient’s home, regardless of value, is excluded from consideration in

determining resources.

1977

Public Law 95-171, 

enacted November 12

Assistance received under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of

1974 for 9 months following receipt.

1979 Reasonable value for an automobile increased by regulation to $4,500 of current-market value; personal goods and household effects increased to $2,000 of

equity value.

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

The value, within prescribed limits, of a burial space for the recipient, spouse,

and immediate family is excluded. In addition, $1,500 each (less the value of

already excluded life insurance and any amount in an irrevocable burial arrangement) may be set aside for the burial of the recipient and spouse.

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

The unspent portion of any retroactive OASDI or SSI payment is excluded for 6

months following its receipt, and the individual must be given written notice of

the time limit on the exclusion.

1985 Regulations permit exclusion, regardless of value, of an automobile needed for

essential transportation or modified for a person with a disability. The $4,500

current market value limit applies only if no automobile could be excluded

based on the nature of its use.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides for suspension of the 1980 transfer of assets provision in any month

that it is determined that undue hardship would result.

Real property that cannot be sold for the following reasons: it is jointly owned;

its sale would cause the other owner(s) undue hardship due to loss of housing;

its sale is barred by a legal impediment; or the owner’s reasonable efforts to sell

have been unsuccessful.

Temporarily extends the 1984 exclusion of retroactive OASDI and SSI benefits

from 6 months to 9 months (the longer exclusion applies to benefits paid in fiscal years 1988 and 1989).

1988

Public Law 100-707, 

enacted November 23

Removes the time limit for exclusion of disaster assistance.
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2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Increases to 9 months and makes uniform the time period for excluding from

resources amounts attributable to payments of past-due Social Security and SSI

benefits and earned income and child tax credits. Effective for such payments

received on or after the date of enactment.

2005 Regulations permit exclusion, regardless of value, of:

 • One automobile if used for transportation for the beneficiary or a member

of the beneficiary’s household; and

 • Personal goods and household effects.

b. Special Exclusions

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Assets of a blind or disabled individual that are necessary to an approved plan of

self-support.

Tools and other property essential to self-support, within reasonable limits.

Shares of nonnegotiable stock in regional or village corporations held by natives

of Alaska.

For persons transferred from State programs to SSI, resource exclusions equal to

the maximum amount permitted as of October 1972 under the State program.

1988

Public Law 100-383, 

enacted August 10

Restitution payments made to Japanese internees and relocated Aleutians.

1989

Public Law 101-239, 

enacted December 19

Specifies that no limitation can be placed on property essential to self-support

used in a trade or business or by an individual as an employee (including the

tools of a tradesperson and the machinery and livestock of a farmer).

Payments from the Agent Orange Settlement.

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

EITC excluded for the month following the month the credit is received.

Payments received from a State-administered fund established to aid victims of

crime excluded for a 9-month period. Individual not required to file for such

benefits.

Payments received as State or local government relocation assistance

excluded for a 9-month period. (The provision expired 3 years after its effective

date.)

Payments received under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Makes permanent the 9-month exclusion of payments received as State or local

government relocation assistance.

1994

Public Law 103-286, 

enacted August 1

Payments to victims of Nazi persecution.
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Act

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Dedicated financial institution accounts required to be established for large pastdue benefits for disabled individuals under age 18 with a representative payee.

1998

Public Law 105-285, 

enacted October 27

Funds made available to an SSI recipient by a State or local government or a

nonprofit organization as part of the Individual Development Account demonstration project.

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

In-kind gifts to children with life-threatening conditions by tax-exempt organizations not converted to cash.

The first $2,000 annually of cash gifts by tax-exempt organizations to, or for the

benefit of, individuals under age 18 with life-threatening conditions.

Public Law 105-369, 

enacted November 12

Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Funds deposited by an individual in an Individual Development Account and

the interest on those funds.

2001

Public Law 107-16, 

enacted June 7

The refundable child tax credit in the month of receipt and in the following

month.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Excludes grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts to be used for tuition or educational fees from an individual’s countable resources for 9 months after the

month of receipt.

2005

Public Law 109-64, 

enacted September 20

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to specify that assistance

provided under a program for flood mitigation activities with respect to a property would not be considered income or a resource for SSI purposes.

2008

Public Law 110-185, 

enacted February 13

A rebate payment received under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, and any

other credit or refund under section 6428 of the Internal Revenue Code, would

not be included as a resource during the month of receipt or the following 2

months.

Public Law 110-245, 

enacted June 17

Excludes State-provided pensions for aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their

spouses) from resources consideration. Effective for benefits payable for

months beginning 60 days after enactment.

2009

Public Law 111-5, 

enacted February 17

A one-time economic recovery payment of $250 to SSI recipients will not be

taken into account as a resource for the month of receipt and the following 9

months.

The Making Work Pay tax credit, which provides a tax credit in the form of

decreased withholding by employers, will not be taken into account as a

resource for the month of receipt and the following 2 months.

A one-time payment of $15,000 for eligible Filipino veterans who are citizens

of the United States and $9,000 for eligible veterans who are noncitizens will
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Act

not be taken into account as a resource for SSI purposes, although interest

earned on any such payment may be considered a resource.

2010

Public Law 111-148, 

enacted March 23

Excludes incentives an SSI recipient with Medicaid receives for participating in

an “Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases in Medicaid” program from

consideration as a resource.

Public Law 111-255, 

enacted October 5

Excludes the first $2,000 received during a calendar year by an SSI recipient or

spouse as compensation for participation in a clinical trial for rare diseases or

conditions from consideration as a resource. The exclusion is effective for a 5-

year period from date of enactment.

Public Law 111-291, 

enacted December 8

Excludes any settlement payments to American Indians under the Claims Resettlement Act of 2010 from consideration as a resource (for a period of 12 months

from receipt).

Public Law 111-312, 

enacted December 17

Excludes Federal tax refunds and advance payment of refundable tax credits

received after December 31, 2009 but before January 1, 2013 from consideration as a resource (for a period of 12 months from receipt).

2013

Public Law 112-240, 

enacted January 2

Makes permanent the 12-month resource exclusion of all refundable Federal

advanced tax credits.

c. Transfer-of-Resources Penalties

1980

Public Law 96-611, 

enacted December 28

Assets transferred for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing

eligibility for benefits under the Social Security Act are counted as resources for

24 months after transfer.

1988

Public Law 100-360, 

enacted July 1

Removes the transfer-of-assets penalty for transfers made July 1, 1988, or later.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Provides a penalty under the SSI program for the disposal of resources at less

than fair market value. The penalty is a loss of benefits for up to 36 months. A

formula is provided to determine the number of months.

7. Presumptive and Emergency Payments and Interim Assistance 

Reimbursement

a. Presumptive Payments

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

A person applying on the basis of disability who meets all other criteria of eligibility, and is likely to be disabled, may receive payments for 3 months pending

the disability determination.

1976

Public Law 94-569, 

enacted October 20

Presumptive payment provision was extended to persons applying on the basis

of blindness.
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Act

1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Extends the period for receipt of payments to 6 months.

b. Emergency Advance Payments

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

Any applicant who can be presumed to meet the criteria of eligibility, but has

not yet been determined eligible and who is faced with a financial emergency

may receive an immediate cash advance of up to $100.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Increases the maximum emergency advance payment amount to the maximum

amount of the regular Federal SSI monthly benefit rate, plus, if any, the Federally-administered State supplementation payment.

1996

Public Law 104-193, 

enacted August 22

Applicants who have a financial emergency may receive an emergency advance

payment in the month of application, which, effective with this law, is always

prior to the first month of eligibility. These advance payments are recouped by

proportional reductions in the recipient’s first 6 months of SSI benefits.

c. Interim Assistance Reimbursement

1974

Public Law 93-368, 

enacted August 7

SSA may enter into agreements with the States to repay them directly for assistance payments made to an SSI applicant while his or her claim is being adjudicated. The repayment is made from the first check due to the individual. This

legislation expires June 30, 1976.

1976

Public Law 94-365, 

enacted July 14

The authority to repay the State for interim assistance is made permanent.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Extends interim assistance reimbursement to situations in which payments are

made by States or political subdivisions to persons whose SSI payments were

suspended or terminated and who subsequently are found to be eligible for such

benefits. Also clarifies that the payment from which the interim assistance reimbursement is paid must be the first payment of benefits relating to the interim

period.

8. Medicaid Eligibility

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

States can provide Medicaid coverage to all recipients of SSI payments. Alternatively, they can limit coverage by applying more restrictive criteria from the

State Medicaid plan in effect on January 1, 1972.

States can accept SSA determination of eligibility, or make their own determination.

1976

Public Law 94-566, 

enacted October 20

Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of recipients who become ineligible for cash

SSI payments due to the cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits.
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1980

Public Law 96-265, 

enacted June 9

Blind or disabled recipients under age 65 no longer eligible for either regular or

special SSI payments because of their earnings may retain SSI recipient status

for Medicaid eligibility purposes under the following conditions: (1) they continue to have the disabling impairment, (2) they meet all nondisability eligibility

criteria except for earned income, (3) they would be seriously inhibited from

continuing employment without Medicaid services, and (4) their earnings are

insufficient to provide a reasonable equivalent of SSI payments and Medicaid.

In States that do not provide Medicaid coverage categorically to all SSI recipients, qualification for Medicaid benefits depends on the State’s specific eligibility and program requirements.

The Medicaid provision of the 1980 legislation was in effect from January 1,

1981, through December 31, 1983. Under a 1-year demonstration project,

beginning January 1, 1984, this provision was continued for persons already eligible for regular or special SSI payments or for retention of Medicaid eligibility.

1984

Public Law 98-460, 

enacted October 9

Medicaid provision of 1980 legislation extended through June 30, 1987 (retroactive to January 1, 1984).

1986

Public Law 99-272, 

enacted April 7

Restores Medicaid eligibility for some disabled widow(er)s who became ineligible for SSI when their OASDI benefits increased in 1984 because of a change in

the Social Security disabled widow(er)s benefits reduction factor.

Public Law 99-643, 

enacted November 10

The SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility provision of the 1980 amendments is made permanent.

Effective July 1, 1987, certain expenses are excluded from earnings when determining sufficiency of earnings to establish SSI recipient status eligibility for

Medicaid purposes:

 • Impairment-related work expenses of disabled persons;

 • Work expenses of blind persons;

 • Income required for achieving an approved self-support plan; and

 • The value of publicly funded attendant care services.

Effective July 1, 1987, preserves the Medicaid eligibility of recipients who

become ineligible for SSI payments because of entitlement to, or an increase in,

Social Security disabled adult child benefits on or after the effective date.

Effective July 1, 1987, requires all States to provide Medicaid coverage for

recipients in special SSI status (either receiving special SSI payments or in the

special recipient status described for 1980) if they received Medicaid coverage

the month before special SSI status.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Effective July 1, 1988, restores or preserves the Medicaid eligibility of persons

aged 60 or older who are eligible for Social Security benefits as widows or widowers (but not eligible for Medicare) and who become ineligible for SSI payments or State supplementation because of the receipt of old-age or survivors

insurance benefits under Social Security.
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1990

Public Law 101-508, 

enacted November 5

Age limit for retention of SSI recipient status for Medicaid eligibility purposes

(1980 and subsequent work incentive provisions, above) is eliminated.

Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of SSI recipients who become ineligible for

payments when they become entitled to Social Security disabled widow(er)s

benefits following the revised definition used for their disability.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Requires States to continue Medicaid coverage for disabled children who were

receiving SSI payments as of August 22, 1996 and would have continued to be

eligible for such payments except that their eligibility terminated because they

did not meet the revised SSI childhood disability standard established under

Public Law 104-193.

2006

Public Law 109-171, 

enacted February 8

Begins Medicaid coverage for children who are eligible for SSI effective the

month the SSI application is filed or the first month of SSI eligibility, whichever

is later. (Under prior law, Medicaid eligibility for such children began the month

following the month of the SSI application or first eligibility.)

9. State Supplementation

1972

Public Law 92-603, 

enacted October 30

States are given the option of providing supplementary payments both to recipients transferred from the State program and to those newly eligible for SSI.

States may either administer the payments themselves or have the Social Security Administration make payments on their behalf. When State supplementation is Federally-administered, the Social Security Administration makes

eligibility and payment determinations for the State and assumes administrative

costs.

“Hold harmless” protection, which limits a State’s fiscal liability to its share of

Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Permanently and Totally

disabled expenditures for calendar year 1972, is provided to States electing Federal administration of their supplementary plans. This provision applies only to

supplementary payments that do not, on average, exceed a State’s “adjusted

payment level.” (The adjusted payment level is the average of the payments that

individuals with no other income received in January 1972; it may include the

bonus value of food stamps. Adjustments are provided for payments that had

been below State standards.)

1973

Public Law 93-66, 

enacted July 9

Provides for mandatory State supplementation as assurance against reduction of

income for persons who received State assistance in December 1973 and were

transferred to SSI. These supplementary payments must equal the difference

between: (1) the amount of the State assistance payment that the individual

received in December 1973 plus other income; and (2) his or her Federal SSI

payment plus other income.

1976

Public Law 94-585, 

enacted October 21

After June 30, 1977, when the Federal SSI payment level is increased by a costof-living increase, such an increase will be excluded in calculating the “hold

harmless” amount.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

Act

Requires States to maintain State supplementation payments at the level of

December 1976 (“maintenance of payments”) or to continue to pay in supplements the same total annual amounts (“maintenance of expenditures”) when the

Federal SSI payment level is increased and thereby pass through any increases

in Federal benefits without reducing State supplements.

1982

Public Law 97-248, 

enacted September 3

Begins a 3-year phase out of “hold harmless” protection. Effective with fiscal

year 1985, Wisconsin and Hawaii (the only remaining “hold harmless” States)

assumed the full cost of their supplementary payments.

1983

Public Law 98-21, 

enacted April 20

Federal pass-through law is adjusted: (1) by substituting the State supplementation payment levels in effect in March 1983 for those in effect in December

1976 as the levels that States must maintain in complying with the pass-through

requirements, and (2) with regard to the $20 (individual) and $30 (couple)

increase in the Federal SSI standard in July 1983, by requiring States to pass

through only as much as would have been required if the SSI cost-of-living

adjustment had been made in July 1983.

1987

Public Law 100-203, 

enacted December 22

Provides for Federal administration of State supplements to residents of medical

institutions.

Provides for required pass through of $5 increase in Federal rate for persons

whose care in institutions is paid in substantial part by Medicaid.

1993

Public Law 103-66, 

enacted August 10

Requires States to pay fees for Federal administration of their State supplementation payments. The fees are $1.67 for each monthly supplementary payment in

fiscal year 1994, $3.33 in fiscal year 1995, and $5.00 in fiscal year 1996. Fees

for subsequent fiscal years will be $5.00 or another amount determined by the

Commissioner to be appropriate. The Commissioner may charge the States

additional fees for services they request that are beyond the level customarily

provided in administering State supplementation payments.

1997

Public Law 105-33, 

enacted August 5

Revises the schedule of per-payment fees for Federal administration of State

supplementation for fiscal years 1998 ($6.20) through 2002 ($8.50) and provides a formula for determining the fee beyond fiscal year 2002.

1999

Public Law 106-170, 

enacted December 17

A State that has an agreement with SSA to administer its supplementation payments, must remit both payments and fees prior to the SSI payment date.

2000

Public Law 106-554, 

enacted December 21

Changes the effective date of above provision from 2009 to 2001.

10. Overpayment Recovery

1984

Public Law 98-369, 

enacted July 18

Limits the rate of recovering overpayments from monthly payments to the lesser

of: (1) the monthly payment; or (2) 10 percent of a recipient’s monthly income.

Permits a higher or lower adjustment at the request of the recipient subject to the

agreement of the Commissioner. The limit does not apply if fraud, willful mis-
2013 SSI Annual Report

80

Act

representation, or concealment of material information was involved on the part

of the recipient or spouse in connection with the overpayment.

Waives recovery of certain overpayments due to amount of excess resources of

$50 or less.

Provides authority for the recovery of overpayments from tax refunds.

1998

Public Law 105-306, 

enacted October 28

Authorizes SSA to collect SSI overpayments for individuals not currently eligible for SSI cash benefits by offsetting OASDI benefits, with a maximum

monthly offset of no more than 10 percent of the Social Security benefit. The

limit does not apply if fraud, willful misrepresentation, or concealment of material information was involved on the part of the recipient or spouse in connection with the overpayment.

1999

Public Law 106-169, 

enacted December 14

Makes a representative payee liable for an SSI overpayment caused by a payment made to the representative payee on behalf of a recipient, after the recipient’s death and requires SSA to establish an overpayment control record under

the representative payee’s Social Security number. 

Requires SSA to recover SSI overpayments from SSI lump-sum amounts by

withholding at least 50 percent of the lump-sum payment or the amount of the

overpayment, whichever is less.

Extends all of the debt collection authorities currently available for the collection of overpayments under the OASDI program to the SSI program.

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Provides for recovery of overpayment of SSI benefits by withholding from

OASDI and Special Veterans’ benefits up to 100 percent of any underpayment

of benefits and 10 percent of ongoing monthly benefits. The 10 percent limit

does not apply if fraud, willful misrepresentation, or concealment of material

information was involved on the part of the recipient or spouse in connection

with the overpayment.

Also provides for recovery of overpayment of OASDI or Special Veterans’ benefits by withholding from SSI up to 100 percent of any underpayment of benefits but limits any recovery from SSI benefits to the lesser of 100 percent of the

monthly benefit or 10 percent of the individual’s total monthly income.

Effective with respect to overpayments that are outstanding at the time of enactment.

11. Fees for Attorneys and Non-Attorney Representatives

2004

Public Law 108-203, 

enacted March 2

Extends the current OASDI attorney fee withholding process to SSI for a period

of 5 years to attorneys. Also extends OASDI and SSI fee withholding provisions

to qualified non-attorneys effective with the implementation of the 5-year demonstration project mentioned below. 

Authorizes a 5-year demonstration project that extends attorney fee withholding

and direct pay procedures to qualified non-attorney representatives.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

Act

2010

Public Law 111-142, 

enacted February 27

Permanently extends the OASDI fee withholding and direct pay procedures to

attorney and qualified non-attorney representatives of SSI recipients. The prior

authority expired February 28, 2010.
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82

B. INCOME AND RESOURCE EXCLUSIONS

1. Earned Income Exclusions

 • Any refund of Federal income taxes received under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (relating

to earned income tax credit) and any payment received under section 3507 of the Internal Revenue

Code (relating to advance payment of earned income tax credit);

 • Amounts received pursuant to the Making Work Pay tax credit set forth in the American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Any refundable child tax credit;

 • The first $30 of earned income in a quarter if it is infrequent or irregular, that is: (1) if it is received

only once in a calendar quarter from a single source and is not also received in the month immediately

preceding or the month immediately following the month of receipt regardless of whether or not these

payments occur in different calendar quarters; or (2) if its receipt cannot reasonably be expected;

 • Up to $1,7301 per month but not more than $6,960 in a calendar year received by a blind or disabled

recipient who is a working student under age 22 and regularly attending school;

 • Any portion of the monthly $20 exclusion that we did not exclude from unearned income;

 • $65 of earned income in a month;

 • Amounts used to pay impairment-related work expenses if a recipient is disabled (but not blind) and

under age 65 or is disabled (but not blind) and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (or disability payments under a former State plan) before age 652;

 • One-half of remaining earned income in a month;

 • Earned income used to meet any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of the income if the

recipient is blind and under age 65 or if he or she received SSI as a blind person prior to age 652;

 • Any earned income received and used to fulfill an approved plan to achieve self-support if the recipient is blind or disabled and under age 65 or is blind or disabled and received SSI as a blind or disabled

individual in the month before he or she attained age 65; 

 • Cash or in-kind income provided under an AmeriCorps program;

 • Any earned income deposited into either a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or

“Assets for Independence Act” Individual Development Account (IDA); and

 • Many Federal laws in addition to the Social Security Act provide for the exclusion of earned income

for SSI purposes. For the most part, the income received under these laws relates to assistance

received in the form of food, housing and utilities, educational and employment benefits or benefits

derived from being a member of a Native American tribe. A complete list of laws that exclude earned

income under SSI can be found in the Federal Regulations Appendix to Subpart K 20 CFR 416.

1 Effective January 1, 2013 (77 FR 65754). Based on changes in the cost of living the student earned income exclusion increases yearly . 

2 Amounts used to pay impairment-related work expenses are deducted before the one-half of earned income deduction, whereas amounts used to pay the

work expenses of the blind are deducted after the one-half of earned income deduction. As a result, amounts of blind work expenses reduce SSI earned

income to a greater degree than impairment-related work expenses.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

2. Unearned Income Exclusions

 • Any public agency’s refund of taxes on real property or food;

 • Assistance based on need wholly funded by a State or one of its political subdivisions. This exclusion

includes State supplementation of Federal SSI benefits but does not include payments under a Federal/State grant program such as TANF;

 • Any portion of a grant, scholarship, fellowship, or gift to an individual used for paying tuition, fees or

other necessary educational expenses1;

 • Food raised by a household if it is consumed by that household;

 • Assistance received under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and assistance provided

under any Federal statute because of a catastrophe that the President of the United States declares to

be a major disaster;

 • Assistance received under a program for flood mitigation activities;

 • The first $60 of unearned income in a quarter if it is infrequent or irregular, that is: (1) if it is received

only once in a calendar quarter from a single source and is not also received in the month immediately

preceding or the month immediately following the month of receipt regardless of whether or not these

payments occur in different calendar quarters; or (2) if its receipt cannot reasonably be expected;

 • Any unearned income received and used to fulfill an approved plan to achieve self-support if the

recipient is blind or disabled and under age 65, or if the recipient is blind or disabled and received SSI

as a blind or disabled individual in the month before he or she attained age 65;

 • Periodic payments made by a State under a program established before July 1, 1973, and based solely

on the recipient’s length of residence and attainment of age 65;

 • Payments for providing foster care to an ineligible child placed in the recipient’s home by a public or

private nonprofit child placement or child care agency;

 • Any interest earned on excluded burial funds and any appreciation in the value of an excluded burial

arrangement left to accumulate and become part of the separately identifiable burial fund;

 • Certain support and maintenance assistance provided in the form of home energy assistance;

 • One-third of support payments made by an absent parent if the recipient is a child;

 • The first $20 of unearned income in a month other than income in the form of in-kind support and

maintenance received in the household of another and income based on need;

 • The value of any assistance paid with respect to a dwelling unit under the United States Housing Act

of 1937, the National Housing Act, section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965,

Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, or section 202(h) of the Housing Act of 1959;

 • Any interest accrued on and left to accumulate as part of the value of an excluded burial space purchase agreement (effective April 1, 1990) and any interest earned on the value of nonexcludable

burial funds and burial space purchase agreements is excluded from income (effective July 1, 2004);

1 Funds used for food or shelter are not exclusions.
2013 SSI Annual Report

84

 • The value of any commercial transportation ticket, for travel by a recipient or his or her spouse among

the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and

the Northern Mariana Islands, that is received as a gift and is not converted to cash;

 • Payments received from a fund established by a State to aid victims of crime;

 • State-provided pensions to aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their spouses);

 • Relocation assistance provided by a State or local government that is comparable to assistance provided under Title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act

of 1970;

 • Hostile fire pay received from one of the uniformed services pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 310 and other

kinds of additional pay received by military personnel in a combat zone;

 • Interest or other earnings on a dedicated account excluded from resources;

 • In-kind gifts not converted to cash and the first $2,000 annually of cash gifts made by tax-exempt

organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to, or for the benefit of, individuals under age

18 with life-threatening conditions;

 • Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998;

 • Up to $2,000 per calendar year in compensation for participating in clinical trials researching treatment of rare diseases and conditions1;

 • TANF funds made available to an SSI recipient as part of an IDA;

 • Amounts received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund set forth in the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Amounts received by Medicaid beneficiaries from the “Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases

in Medicaid” program established by the Affordable Care Act of 2010;

 • Payments to Indian landowners made in accordance with the Cobell v. Salazar, et al. lawsuit settlement, as ratified by the Claims Resettlement Act of 2010;

 • Refundable tax credits (or advance payment of such credits);

 • Deposits made by a participating individual or a sponsoring nonprofit organization or State or local

government into an IDA under the Assets for Independence Act IDA demonstration project and interest earned on these deposits; 

 • Unearned income excluded by other Federal laws. See Federal Regulations Appendix to Subpart K 20

CFR 416; and

 • Generally, all interest and dividend income earned on countable resources.

3. Resource Exclusions

 • The home in which an individual has ownership interest and that serves as the individual’s principal

place of residence (including the land appertaining thereto);

1 This unearned income exclusion was authorized by the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2010. The exclusion sunsets five years after the date of

enactment (in October 2015).
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2013 SSI Annual Report

 • Household goods and personal effects;

 • One automobile if used for transportation for the beneficiary or a member of the beneficiary’s household;

 • Property used in a trade or business that is essential to self-support;

 • Up to $6,000 of nonbusiness property that is essential to self-support;

 • Resources of a blind or disabled individual that are necessary to fulfill an approved plan to achieve

self-support;

 • Stock in regional or village corporations held by natives of Alaska during the 20-year period in which

the stock is inalienable pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act;

 • Life insurance owned by an individual (and spouse, if any) provided that all life insurance on any person does not exceed a face value of $1,500;

 • Restricted allotted Indian lands;

 • Disaster relief assistance;

 • Assistance received under a program for flood mitigation activities;

 • Burial spaces and certain funds up to $1,500 for burial expenses;

 • SSI or Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance retroactive payments (for 9 months following the

month of receipt);

 • The value of any assistance paid with respect to a dwelling unit under the United States Housing Act

of 1937, the National Housing Act, section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965,

Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, or section 202(h) of the Housing Act of 1959;

 • Refunds of Federal income taxes and advances made by an employer relating to an earned income tax

credit (for 9 months following the month of receipt)1;

 • One-time economic recovery payment received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009, for the month of receipt and the following 9 months;

 • Amounts received pursuant to the Making Work Pay tax credit set forth in the American Recovery

and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the month of receipt and the following 12 months2;

 • Amounts received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund set forth in the American

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009;

 • Refundable child tax credit (for 12 months following the month of receipt);

 • Refundable tax credits (or advance payment of such credits) for 12 months following the month of

receipt3;

1 Lawmakers extended the exclusion period from 9 to 12 months by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of

2010, for refunds or credits received between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. On January 1, 2013, the period reverted to 9 months.

2 Lawmakers extended the exclusion period from 2 to 12 months by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of

2010, for refunds or credits received between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012.

3 Prior to the enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240) on January 2, 2013, this resource exclusion applied to such tax credits

received between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. P.L. 112-240 made the 12-month resource exclusion permanent.
2013 SSI Annual Report

86

 • Grants, scholarships, fellowships or gifts to be used for tuition or educational fees (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Payments received as compensation for replacement or repair of losses, damages, or theft (for 9

months following the month of receipt);

 • Relocation assistance from a State or local government (for 9 months following the month of receipt);

 • Payments made from State-provided pensions to aged, blind, or disabled veterans (or their spouses);

 • Dedicated financial institution accounts for disabled children;

 • In-kind gifts not converted to cash and the first $2,000 annually of cash gifts made by tax-exempt

organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to, or for the benefit of, individuals under age

18 with life-threatening conditions;

 • Up to $2,000 per calendar year in compensation for participating in clinical trials researching treatment of rare diseases and conditions;

 • Amounts received by Medicaid beneficiaries from the “Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases

in Medicaid” program established by the Affordable Care Act of 2010;

 • Payments to Indian landowners made in accordance with the Cobell et al. v. Salazar et al. lawsuit settlement, as ratified by the Claims Resettlement Act of 2010 (for 12 months following the month of

receipt);

 • Payments made under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998;

 • Amounts deposited into either a TANF or Assets for Independence Act IDA, including matching

funds and interest earned on such amounts;

 • Certain trusts (e.g., those established by will or certain Medicaid trusts that will repay the State, upon

the death of the beneficiary, for the costs of medical assistance provided to that individual); and

 • Payments or benefits provided under a Federal statute other than Title XVI of the Social Security Act

where exclusion is provided by such statute.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

C. HISTORICAL ALLOWANCE DATA

At the end of 2012, 86 percent of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients were receiving benefits

based on disability or blindness. Individuals file claims at a local Social Security office, and we send

claims requiring an evaluation of disability to the State disability determination services (DDS) for a disability decision. Applicants may appeal unfavorable initial DDS decisions. Historically, the State DDS

conducted the first level of appeal—the reconsideration appeal step. Persons denied at the reconsideration

level could then request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) and, if dissatisfied with the

hearing decision, could request a review by the Appeals Council. Those dissatisfied with the Appeals

Council’s action could seek further relief through the Federal court system. This appeals process is still in

effect for the majority of new applicants.1 However, since the mid-1990s the Social Security Administration (SSA) has conducted small pilots testing revisions to this process and introduced a modification of

this process that 10 States utilize for applications filed on or after October 1, 1999. The revised process

eliminates the reconsideration step, so the first level of appeal of an initial determination is a request for

hearing before an ALJ.

This process of application and appeal can span several years. However, before 1993 the only data available on the disability determination process resided in files compiled at each separate stage of the process

and only captured various point-in-time snapshots. Only a longitudinal database of administrative records

at all stages of appeal can provide a complete picture of the disability determination process. Beginning in

1993, SSA’s Office of Disability Programs constructed such a longitudinal database (the “Disability

Research File”) to assist the agency in understanding and managing this process. However, we did

encounter some problems in the construction of this database due to inconsistencies in the data collected

from all the respective levels of appeal. The following sections present some additional details and qualifications essential to a complete understanding of the resulting data. Following these technical notes, tables

V.C1 and V.C2 present the latest available summary of results on disability determinations under Title

XVI.

1. Technical Notes on the Disability Research File

Methods used to build the Title XVI Disability Research File—The “base” file for the Title XVI research

file is the Supplemental Security Record. We match the “base” file against records from various other

administrative sources, including transactions from the disability determination (SSA-831) files, Social

Security number identification records and earnings data, and Office of Disability Adjudication and

Review (ODAR) appeals data. 

Creating the Disability Research file is a cumbersome process; it involves about 200 steps and generally

requires 2 to 4 months to complete. The process is complex because we assemble the file based on filing

date cohorts, and many of the source files do not contain a filing date. The basic data sources provide

information for the three most recent calendar year cohorts. Older calendar year cohorts reflect updated

activity since the last time we built the file. Since the process is so time-consuming, we update the

research file only annually (usually beginning in July); research file data are not yet available for claims

filed in 2012.

1 SSA first implemented the Disability Service Improvement (DSI) process in the Boston region in August 2006. The DSI process eliminated reconsideration as the first level of appeal of an initial disability determination and introduced review by the Office of the Federal Reviewing Official (OFedRO) in its

place. By final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 2411) SSA suspended new claims to the OFedRO level; this change was effective March 23,

2008 (73 FR 10381). For those initial disability appeals that had not been transferred to OFedRO on or before the effective date, the procedure for the first

level of appeal reverted to that which was in place prior to August 2006, (i.e., reconsideration). The DSI regulations also modified administrative appeal of

an ALJ’s decision or dismissal by: (1) setting requirements on the timeliness for submission of evidence for consideration by the ALJ; and (2) eliminating the

Appeals Council as a separate appeals step. By final rule (76 FR 24802), we restored the Appeals Council appeal step, although the other modifications concerning which evidence can be considered remain in effect in the Boston region. 
2013 SSI Annual Report

88

Methods used for estimating results (through January 2013) for claims filed in 2012—Although decision

counts are available for 2012 filers from many of the “source” files, those counts do not translate directly

into the claims/appeals counts in the following tables because we consolidate multiple transactions and

apply claims-based tolerance rules when we build the research file.

To prepare preliminary estimates of results through January 2013 for 2012 filers, we started from the latest

available transaction data, such as the SSA-831 data, and took into account recent years’ experience of the

relationship between corresponding earlier transaction data and the resulting claims/appeals data in completed research files. We estimate ODAR appeals activity from a file that tracks individual claimants,

rather than individual claims, which has resulted in a slight undercount of ODAR activity. Recent revocation of the agency’s “subsequent application” policy should largely eliminate the disparity between claims

and claimants.

While we believe that these methods are reasonable, we emphasize that the resulting estimates may not be

completely reliable, especially because the estimates give results only through January 2013, whereas the

final research files will reflect information through June 2013. Actual data for 2012 will replace these estimates in the 2014 Annual Report.

2. General Considerations

Some general points that apply to tables V.C1 and V.C2 are as follows:

 • Data for 1988-2011 filers are as of June 2012 for decisions at the DDS level. Results for those years’

filers include results at the hearing and Appeals Council levels and Federal courts through July 2012.

 • Data for 2012 filers are preliminary estimates as of January 2013, and reflect larger numbers of claims

still pending. January 2013 data on number of appeals may be too low because larger numbers of

claimants are still within the period allowed for filing an appeal (i.e., larger numbers of recently

denied claimants who have not yet filed an appeal may appeal before the time limit runs out). 

 • Remaining appeals will affect the results. Since we usually decide allowances more quickly than

denials, we expect that the percent allowed will ultimately be lower when the processing of all cases

is complete. 

 • In certain pilot activities and under the revised process introduced October 1, 1999 in 10 States, individuals can appeal initial denials directly to ODAR without a separate reconsideration step. As a

result, the appeals of initial denials in these tables include cases that will not receive a decision at the

reconsideration level.

 • The tables do not show the cases appealed to the OFedRO level under the DSI process separately, but

we included these cases in the reconsideration counts.

 • In reports issued in 2010 and earlier, we counted allowances at the highest adjudicative level a filer

reached. Beginning with data in the 2011 Annual Report for claims filed after 1999, we now count

allowances at the earliest adjudicative level of allowance. For claims filed prior to 2000, we continue

to count allowances at the highest adjudicative level reached.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

Table V.C1.—Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b

Calendar year

of filing 

Total

claims

filed

Initial decisions

Pending

Allowances Denials Appeals of initial denials

Number Percent c Number Percent c Number d Percent e

1988 946,603 — 272,204 28.8 674,399 71.2 265,151 39.3

1989 969,218 — 292,044 30.1 677,174 69.9 274,823 40.6

1990 1,099,805 — 347,823 31.6 751,982 68.4 320,207 42.6

1991 1,288,331 — 415,336 32.2 872,995 67.8 383,669 43.9

1992 1,415,624 — 436,888 30.9 978,736 69.1 433,244 44.3

1993 1,503,278 — 416,300 27.7 1,086,978 72.3 485,166 44.6

1994 1,436,958 — 353,995 24.6 1,082,963 75.4 482,533 44.6

1995 1,318,416 — 323,084 24.5 995,332 75.5 439,166 44.1

1996 1,247,926 — 305,351 24.5 942,575 75.5 406,425 43.1

1997 1,110,898 — 292,839 26.4 818,059 73.6 357,973 43.8

1998 1,108,957 — 322,734 29.1 786,223 70.9 339,288 43.2

1999 1,105,109 — 326,734 29.6 778,375 70.4 340,114 43.7

2000 1,139,623 — 347,024 30.5 792,599 69.5 338,664 42.7

2001 1,216,040 — 368,981 30.3 847,059 69.7 360,793 42.6

2002 1,322,451 — 374,373 28.3 948,078 71.7 405,333 42.8

2003 1,403,003 — 382,013 27.2 1,020,990 72.8 431,546 42.3

2004 1,475,149 — 387,857 26.3 1,087,292 73.7 434,283 39.9

2005 1,470,300 — 373,582 25.4 1,096,718 74.6 420,489 38.3

2006 1,499,551 — 367,973 24.5 1,131,578 75.5 428,268 37.8

2007 1,506,654 — 376,632 25.0 1,130,022 75.0 436,633 38.6

2008 1,602,444 — 418,258 26.1 1,184,186 73.9 487,369 41.2

2009 1,831,721 — 465,276 25.4 1,366,445 74.6 572,241 41.9

2010 1,882,425 — 447,667 23.8 1,434,758 76.2 612,980 42.7

2011 1,845,764 17,420 414,587 22.7 1,413,757 77.3 611,125 43.2

2012 1,804,519 342,539 397,812 27.2 1,064,168 72.8 393,954 37.0

Calendar year

of filing 

Reconsiderationsf Appeals beyond reconsideration g

Pending

Allowances

Denials

Appeals of

reconsideration denials Allowances

Number Percent c Number h Percent e Pending i Number Percent j Denials k

1988 — 38,385 14.5 226,766 140,663 62.0 — 82,414 58.6 58,249

1989 — 43,505 15.8 231,318 146,082 63.2 — 90,169 61.7 55,913

1990 — 52,055 16.3 268,152 175,520 65.5 — 109,098 62.2 66,422

1991 — 59,157 15.4 324,512 221,816 68.4 — 139,698 63.0 82,118

1992 — 58,819 13.6 374,425 260,554 69.6 — 159,084 61.1 101,470

1993 — 57,938 11.9 427,228 294,801 69.0 — 170,402 57.8 124,399

1994 — 55,822 11.6 426,711 293,448 68.8 — 164,537 56.1 128,911

1995 — 51,697 11.8 387,469 264,270 68.2 — 143,582 54.3 120,688

1996 — 49,263 12.1 357,162 242,407 67.9 — 133,323 55.0 109,084

1997 — 47,573 13.4 306,561 213,969 69.8 — 121,619 55.8 96,189

1998 — 46,507 13.7 292,272 203,767 69.7 — 115,323 56.5 88,953

1999 — 40,375 12.5 283,475 199,371 70.3 — 117,431 54.5 98,204

2000 — 37,768 13.4 243,790 173,465 71.2 — 122,829 53.3 107,742

2001 — 37,388 13.2 246,613 174,286 70.7 — 133,018 53.0 118,060

2002 — 38,617 12.2 277,567 195,633 70.5 — 150,228 52.8 134,554

2003 — 39,086 11.5 300,283 210,217 70.0 — 159,460 52.7 142,934

2004 — 37,197 10.9 302,649 211,503 69.9 — 163,761 53.5 142,179

2005 — 34,753 10.6 293,829 205,932 70.1 581 163,067 54.9 134,191

2006 — 34,145 10.3 298,918 210,685 70.5 1,537 169,390 55.7 134,963

2007 — 35,893 10.6 304,060 215,543 70.9 4,847 169,203 55.0 138,173

2008 — 40,868 10.7 341,794 245,570 71.8 13,946 182,300 54.2 154,031

2009 — 43,507 9.7 406,284 295,671 72.8 49,303 193,778 52.5 175,040

2010 — 40,749 8.4 443,013 328,452 74.1 158,768 150,876 50.5 148,026

2011 59,968 31,610 7.6 385,524 279,133 72.4 340,596 33,903 46.7 38,657

2012 100,280 18,741 9.2 184,608 110,806 60.0 192,569 5,507 64.3 3,055
2013 SSI Annual Report

90

Table V.C1.—Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b(Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status: Numbers of cases

Total

claims

filed

Initial

decisions

pending

Total

initial

decisions Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1988 946,603 — 946,603 393,003 — 553,600

1989 969,218 — 969,218 425,718 — 543,500

1990 1,099,805 — 1,099,805 508,976 — 590,829

1991 1,288,331 — 1,288,331 614,191 — 674,140

1992 1,415,624 — 1,415,624 654,791 — 760,833

1993 1,503,278 — 1,503,278 644,640 — 858,638

1994 1,436,958 — 1,436,958 574,354 — 862,604

1995 1,318,416 — 1,318,416 518,363 — 800,053

1996 1,247,926 — 1,247,926 487,937 — 759,989

1997 1,110,898 — 1,110,898 462,031 — 648,867

1998 1,108,957 — 1,108,957 484,564 — 624,393

1999 1,105,109 — 1,105,109 484,540 — 620,569

2000 1,139,623 — 1,139,623 507,621 — 632,002

2001 1,216,040 — 1,216,040 539,387 — 676,653

2002 1,322,451 — 1,322,451 563,218 — 759,233

2003 1,403,003 — 1,403,003 580,559 — 822,444

2004 1,475,149 — 1,475,149 588,815 — 886,334

2005 1,470,300 — 1,470,300 571,402 581 898,317

2006 1,499,551 — 1,499,551 571,508 1,537 926,506

2007 1,506,654 — 1,506,654 581,728 4,847 920,079

2008 1,602,444 — 1,602,444 641,426 13,946 947,072

2009 1,831,721 — 1,831,721 702,561 49,303 1,079,857

2010 1,882,425 — 1,882,425 639,292 158,768 1,084,365

2011 1,845,764 17,420 1,828,344 480,100 400,564 947,680

2012 1,804,519 342,539 1,461,980 422,060 292,849 747,071
91

2013 SSI Annual Report

a Data for claims filed in 1988-2011 reflect results as of June 2012 at the DDS level and as of July 2012 at the ODAR level. The numbers of total claims

filed for 2009-2011 are subject to change. Data for claims filed in 2012 are preliminary estimates as of January 2013. The ultimate numbers of allowances

and denials are subject to change until all initial decisions have been completed and all appeals are final.

b For claims filed in 2000 or later, we count allowances at the earliest adjudicative level of allowance. We count allowances for claims filed prior to 2000 at

the highest adjudicative level reached.

c Percentage of decisions at this level

d Includes certain cases that can be appealed directly to the hearing level.

e Percentage of denials at this level appealed to next level.

f Includes cases reviewed by Federal Reviewing Officials (FedRO) during the period August 2006 through November 2008 as part of the DSI process. g Includes cases appealed to the hearing and Appeals Council levels and to the Federal courts.

h Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

i Includes cases remanded to SSA from the Federal courts.

j Percentage of decisions at this level. For years in which decisions are still pending, the preliminary percentage shown is expected to ultimately be lower

as all cases are processed. This occurs because allowances are generally processed more quickly than denials.

k Includes denied claims where the final administrative action was a dismissal of an appeal request (e.g., the appeal was not filed timely or the applicant

failed to appear at the scheduled hearing).

l Less than 0.05 percent

Table V.C1.—Disabled Adult Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b(Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status

Numbers as a percentage of total claims filed Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Initial

decision

pending Allowances

Denials

Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1988 — 41.5 — 58.5 41.5 — 58.5

1989 — 43.9 — 56.1 43.9 — 56.1

1990 — 46.3 — 53.7 46.3 — 53.7

1991 — 47.7 — 52.3 47.7 — 52.3

1992 — 46.3 — 53.7 46.3 — 53.7

1993 — 42.9 — 57.1 42.9 — 57.1

1994 — 40.0 — 60.0 40.0 — 60.0

1995 — 39.3 — 60.7 39.3 — 60.7

1996 — 39.1 — 60.9 39.1 — 60.9

1997 — 41.6 — 58.4 41.6 — 58.4

1998 — 43.7 — 56.3 43.7 — 56.3

1999 — 43.8 — 56.2 43.8 — 56.2

2000 — 44.5 — 55.5 44.5 — 55.5

2001 — 44.4 — 55.6 44.4 — 55.6

2002 — 42.6 — 57.4 42.6 — 57.4

2003 — 41.4 — 58.6 41.4 — 58.6

2004 — 39.9 — 60.1 39.9 — 60.1

2005 — 38.9 l 61.1 38.9 l 61.1

2006 — 38.1 0.1 61.8 38.1 0.1 61.8

2007 — 38.6 .3 61.1 38.6 .3 61.1

2008 — 40.0 .9 59.1 40.0 .9 59.1

2009 — 38.4 2.7 59.0 38.4 2.7 59.0

2010 — 34.0 8.4 57.6 34.0 8.4 57.6

2011 0.9 26.0 21.7 51.3 26.3 21.9 51.8

2012 19.0 23.4 16.2 41.4 28.9 20.0 51.1
2013 SSI Annual Report

92

Table V.C2.—Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b

Calendar year

of filing 

Total

claims

filed

Initial decisions

Pending

Allowances Denials Appeals of initial denials

Number Percent c Number Percent c Number d Percent e

1991 250,962 — 148,220 59.1 102,742 40.9 24,702 24.0

1992 372,971 — 189,079 50.7 183,892 49.3 49,297 26.8

1993 496,131 — 212,268 42.8 283,863 57.2 75,967 26.8

1994 525,013 — 172,219 32.8 352,794 67.2 92,093 26.1

1995 487,730 — 144,231 29.6 343,499 70.4 86,841 25.3

1996 453,473 — 127,416 28.1 326,057 71.9 75,013 23.0

1997 332,032 — 106,528 32.1 225,504 67.9 51,493 22.8

1998 335,732 — 123,249 36.7 212,483 63.3 50,110 23.6

1999 342,162 — 129,375 37.8 212,787 62.2 49,996 23.5

2000 349,285 — 138,262 39.6 211,023 60.4 48,156 22.8

2001 367,726 — 152,651 41.5 215,075 58.5 49,013 22.8

2002 402,116 — 165,220 41.1 236,896 58.9 55,863 23.6

2003 425,336 — 172,655 40.6 252,681 59.4 59,699 23.6

2004 435,562 — 174,514 40.1 261,048 59.9 58,533 22.4

2005 424,876 — 163,705 38.5 261,171 61.5 55,367 21.2

2006 432,747 — 160,959 37.2 271,788 62.8 58,617 21.6

2007 433,941 — 160,261 36.9 273,680 63.1 60,040 21.9

2008 449,451 — 171,593 38.2 277,858 61.8 66,097 23.8

2009 516,130 — 193,872 37.6 322,258 62.4 79,982 24.8

2010 517,966 — 186,830 36.1 331,136 63.9 82,525 24.9

2011 506,285 2,857 178,975 35.6 324,453 64.4 80,700 24.9

2012 490,160 77,965 170,237 41.3 241,958 58.7 51,488 21.3

Calendar year

of filing 

Reconsiderationsf Appeals beyond reconsideration g

Pending

Allowances

Denials

Appeals of

reconsideration

denials Allowances

Number Percent c Number h Percent e Pending i Number Percent j Denials k

1991 — 5,605 22.7 19,097 9,196 48.2 — 3,884 42.2 5,312

1992 — 9,463 19.2 39,834 19,770 49.6 — 7,523 38.1 12,247

1993 — 11,338 14.9 64,629 31,193 48.3 — 10,638 34.1 20,555

1994 — 11,332 12.3 80,761 38,433 47.6 — 12,954 33.7 25,479

1995 — 10,287 11.8 76,554 35,592 46.5 — 10,924 30.7 24,668

1996 — 9,355 12.5 65,658 27,920 42.5 — 8,853 31.7 19,067

1997 — 8,266 16.2 42,705 18,916 44.3 — 7,027 36.2 12,411

1998 — 7,799 15.6 42,237 18,762 44.4 — 7,034 37.3 11,802

1999 — 6,475 13.8 40,423 18,164 44.9 — 7,558 35.5 13,704

2000 — 6,043 16.0 31,741 14,366 45.3 — 8,451 34.2 16,287

2001 — 5,839 16.1 30,318 13,448 44.4 — 8,825 33.6 17,479

2002 — 6,360 15.4 34,842 15,216 43.7 — 9,909 33.2 19,968

2003 — 6,644 14.8 38,275 16,208 42.3 — 10,237 33.0 20,751

2004 — 6,209 14.1 37,948 15,756 41.5 — 10,020 33.3 20,112

2005 — 6,020 14.2 36,306 15,196 41.9 23 9,573 33.9 18,641

2006 — 6,158 13.6 39,049 16,444 42.1 94 10,797 36.3 18,963

2007 — 6,016 12.9 40,557 17,172 42.3 259 11,081 36.5 19,299

2008 — 6,888 13.2 45,196 19,705 43.6 931 11,584 35.3 21,203

2009 — 7,704 12.3 54,757 24,571 44.9 4,437 12,403 32.9 25,252

2010 — 7,533 11.5 57,712 26,105 45.2 15,132 8,801 31.2 19,452

2011 6,518 6,216 10.8 51,184 22,414 43.8 32,831 1,596 25.1 4,769

2012 11,106 3,364 11.5 25,970 9,290 35.8 19,635 160 22.8 543
93

2013 SSI Annual Report

Table V.C2.—Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b (Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status: Numbers of cases

Total

claims

filed

Initial

decisions

pending

Total

initial

decisions Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1991 250,962 — 250,962 157,709 — 93,253

1992 372,971 — 372,971 206,065 — 166,906

1993 496,131 — 496,131 234,244 — 261,887

1994 525,013 — 525,013 196,505 — 328,508

1995 487,730 — 487,730 165,442 — 322,288

1996 453,473 — 453,473 145,624 — 307,849

1997 332,032 — 332,032 121,821 — 210,211

1998 335,732 — 335,732 138,082 — 197,650

1999 342,162 — 342,162 143,408 — 198,754

2000 349,285 — 349,285 152,756 — 196,529

2001 367,726 — 367,726 167,315 — 200,411

2002 402,116 — 402,116 181,489 — 220,627

2003 425,336 — 425,336 189,536 — 235,800

2004 435,562 — 435,562 190,743 — 244,819

2005 424,876 — 424,876 179,298 23 245,555

2006 432,747 — 432,747 177,914 94 254,739

2007 433,941 — 433,941 177,358 259 256,324

2008 449,451 — 449,451 190,065 931 258,455

2009 516,130 — 516,130 213,979 4,437 297,714

2010 517,966 — 517,966 203,164 15,132 299,670

2011 506,285 2,857 503,428 186,787 39,349 277,292

2012 490,160 77,965 412,195 173,761 30,741 207,693
2013 SSI Annual Report

94

a Data for claims filed in 1988-2011 reflect results as of June 2012 at the DDS level and as of July 2012 at the ODAR level. The numbers of total claims

filed for 2009-2011 are subject to change. Data for claims filed in 2012 are preliminary estimates as of January 2013. The ultimate numbers of allowances

and denials are subject to change until all initial decisions have been completed and all appeals are final.

b For claims filed in 2000 or later, we count allowances at the earliest adjudicative level of allowance. We count allowances for claims filed prior to 2000 at

the highest adjudicative level reached.

c Percentage of decisions at this level

d Includes certain cases that can be appealed directly to the hearing level.

e Percentage of denials at this level appealed to next level.

f Includes cases reviewed by Federal Reviewing Officials (FedRO) during the period August 2006 through November 2008 as part of the DSI process. g Includes cases appealed to the hearing and Appeals Council levels and to the Federal courts.

h Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

i Includes cases remanded to SSA from the Federal courts.

j Percentage of decisions at this level. For years in which decisions are still pending, the preliminary percentage shown is expected to ultimately be lower

as all cases are processed. This occurs because allowances are generally processed more quickly than denials.

k Includes denied claims where the final administrative action was a dismissal of an appeal request (e.g., the appeal was not filed timely or the applicant

failed to appear at the scheduled hearing).

l Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.C2.—Disabled Child Claims: Disposition of Applications for SSI Disability Benefits by 

Year of Filing a and Level of Decision b (Cont.)

Calendar year

of filing 

Selected summary case information by decision status

Numbers as a percentage of total claims filed Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Initial

decision

pending Allowances

Denials

Allowances

Denials

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

Appeal

decision

pending

No

appeal

pending

1991 — 62.8 — 37.2 62.8 — 37.2

1992 — 55.2 — 44.8 55.2 — 44.8

1993 — 47.2 — 52.8 47.2 — 52.8

1994 — 37.4 — 62.6 37.4 — 62.6

1995 — 33.9 — 66.1 33.9 — 66.1

1996 — 32.1 — 67.9 32.1 — 67.9

1997 — 36.7 — 63.3 36.7 — 63.3

1998 — 41.1 — 58.9 41.1 — 58.9

1999 — 41.9 — 58.1 41.9 — 58.1

2000 — 43.7 — 56.3 43.7 — 56.3

2001 — 45.5 — 54.5 45.5 — 54.5

2002 — 45.1 — 54.9 45.1 — 54.9

2003 — 44.6 — 55.4 44.6 — 55.4

2004 — 43.8 — 56.2 43.8 — 56.2

2005 — 42.2 l 57.8 42.2 l 57.8

2006 — 41.1 l 58.9 41.1 l 58.9

2007 — 40.9 0.1 59.1 40.9 0.1 59.1

2008 — 42.3 .2 57.5 42.3 .2 57.5

2009 — 41.5 .9 57.7 41.5 .9 57.7

2010 — 39.2 2.9 57.9 39.2 2.9 57.9

2011 0.6 36.9 7.8 54.8 37.1 7.8 55.1

2012 15.9 35.4 6.3 42.4 42.2 7.5 50.4
95

2013 SSI Annual Report

D. HISTORICAL REDETERMINATION AND CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW DATA

1. Redeterminations

Redeterminations are reviews of all of the nonmedical factors of eligibility to determine whether a recipient is still eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and still receiving the correct payment amount.

There are two types of redeterminations: scheduled and unscheduled. All recipients are subject to periodic

scheduling for a redetermination. Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) schedules redeterminations for the cases most likely to have payment error, but the agency can also schedule reviews for

cases unlikely to have payment error. SSA completes unscheduled redeterminations on an as-needed basis

when recipients report, or we discover, certain changes in circumstances that could affect the continuing

SSI payment amount. The numbers of redeterminations completed fluctuate from year to year due to variation in: (1) the numbers of unscheduled redeterminations completed; and (2) the numbers of scheduled

redeterminations that we are able to complete during the fiscal year because of limitations on administrative resources and the impact of other workload requirements on the field offices. Redeterminations that

we cannot complete in the scheduled fiscal year carry over into the next fiscal year. 

Between scheduled redeterminations, SSA uses the limited issue process to detect situations that have the

potential to affect the continuing eligibility of SSI recipients and SSI payment amounts. SSA conducts

periodic computer matches between its own systems and the systems of other Federal and State agencies

to determine if the income and resources information on SSI recipients’ records conflicts with data that we

obtain from the other systems. We post an indicator to the individual’s Supplemental Security Record

when a match detects conflicting information. We select these limited issue cases for field office review of

the issues for which we posted indicators. Beginning in fiscal year 2007, SSA included limited issue completions with redetermination completions.

Table V.D1 provides historical data on numbers of redeterminations and limited issues by fiscal year. 

Table V.D1.—SSI Redeterminationsa and Limited Issues Completed, Fiscal Years 1986-2012

[In thousands] 

a Effective fiscal year 2007, total redeterminations reported by SSA include limited issues.

Numbers of completions

Fiscal year Redeterminations Limited issues Total

1986 2,278 b

b Data not available.

b

1987 2,244 b b

1988 1,997 b b

1989 2,226 b b

1990 2,103 b b

1991 2,138 b b

1992 2,321 b b

1993 2,223 b b

1994 c 1,900

c Decrease in number of redeterminations completed in fiscal year 1994 due to low-error profile redeterminations not being

completed from January through September 1994.

b b

1995 d1,597

d Effective fiscal year 1995, we selected approximately 200,000 fewer redeterminations annually due to a change from a 3-

year to a 6-year redetermination cycle for low-error profile cases.

b b

1996 1,763 b b

1997 1,773 b b

1998 1,853 b b

1999 2,122 751 2,873

2000 2,182 582 2,764

2001 2,316 589 2,905

2002 2,311 582 2,894

2003 2,450 472 2,921

2004 2,279 248 2,527

2005 e1,725

e We selected fewer redeterminations in fiscal years 2005-09 due to limitations on administrative funding.

737 2,462

2006 e1,071 348 1,418

2007 e 692 346 1,039

2008 e 900 321 1,221

2009 e1,390 341 1,731

2010 2,248 218 2,466

2011 f2,223

f Includes redeterminations completed during the 53 operating weeks in fiscal year 2011.

f

234 f2,457

2012 2,408 216 2,624
2013 SSI Annual Report

96

2. Continuing Disability Reviews

Following enactment of the Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980, section 221(i) of the Social

Security Act generally requires SSA to review the continuing eligibility of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) disabled beneficiaries at least every 3 years. No legislation required the same

review process for disabled SSI recipients at that time. Although the Committee on Finance of the Senate

stated in its report on this legislation that the same continuing disability review (CDR) procedures should

apply to both the OASDI and SSI programs, no new legislation amended Title XVI to accomplish this.

Section 1614(a)(4) of the Act gives SSA discretionary authority to conduct periodic CDRs on SSI recipients. On September 28, 1994, SSA issued a Federal Register notice that periodic SSI CDRs would begin

on October 1, 1994. In 1994 and again in 1996 Congress enacted new legislation adding some mandates

for CDRs under the SSI program.

Public Law 103-296 required SSA to conduct CDRs on a minimum of 100,000 SSI recipients during each

of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998. In addition, during the same period, the law required SSA to redetermine the eligibility of at least one-third of all SSI child recipients who reached age 18 after April 1995

within one year of attainment of age 18. Such redeterminations for persons turning age 18 could count

toward the 100,000 CDRs required by the law.

Public Law 104-193 required SSA to redetermine the eligibility of all SSI child recipients who attain age

18 based on the adult initial eligibility criteria. This law also required that SSA perform a CDR:

 • At least once every 3 years for SSI recipients under age 18 who are eligible by reason of an impairment that is likely to improve; and

 • Not later than 12 months after birth for recipients whose low birth weight is a contributing factor

material to the determination of their disability.

Public Law 105-33 provided SSA some additional flexibility in the scheduling of these categories of

CDRs.

Beginning in 1993, SSA developed a screening process for OASDI cases scheduled for a CDR in order to

handle the large CDR workload mandated by these various provisions. The screening process included a

mailer questionnaire for selected cases. In 1996, SSA extended the profiling process to SSI adults who

were scheduled for a CDR. In fiscal year 2012, we deferred full medical reviews for 392,960 adult SSI

recipients scheduled for a CDR as a result of the screening process.

In 2007, SSA implemented a streamlined failure to cooperate (FTC) process for medical CDRs. Under this

process, recipients who fail to comply with the field office requests for information necessary for processing their medical CDRs have their benefits suspended. After 12 consecutive months of suspension for noncompliance, SSA terminates their eligibility for disability benefits. SSA initially terminated 1,134

centrally-initiated medical CDRs involving SSI recipients in fiscal year 2012 as a result of the streamlined

FTC process.
97

2013 SSI Annual Report

For individuals who receive both OASDI and SSI benefits on the basis of their own disability, SSA initiates CDRs as Title II CDRs, and the results of the review affect eligibility for benefits under both programs.1 Table V.D2 presents the numbers of centrally-initiated periodic medical CDRs of SSI recipients

we performed under Titles II and XVI since 1993. Tables V.D3 and V.D4 present the latest available

detailed results2 on CDRs of SSI recipients performed in the most recent 15 years.3 These tables include

only cases for which we conducted a full medical review. In particular, they do not include:

 • Cases for which the individual completed a mailer but for which we deferred a full medical review;

 • Administrative closures—cases for which we curtail development for technical reasons;

 • Streamlined FTC terminations;

 • CDRs initiated as the result of work activity on the part of the beneficiary/recipient; and

 • Miscellaneous other CDRs processed by the State disability determination services (DDS) but not as

part of the normal CDR scheduling process (such as voluntary and third-party reports of medical

improvement, post-transplant end-stage renal disease cases, and rehabilitation reports).

In contrast with the allowance data presented in section V.C, we tabulate the CDR data on a cohort basis

by the date of initial decision. 

1 Individuals concurrently receiving OASDI and SSI benefits where the OASDI benefit is not based on the individuals’ disability are initiated as title XVI

CDRs. The results of the review only affect the individual’s eligibility for SSI benefits.

2 We included in these tables the SSI recipients whose benefits terminate as a result of CDRs. We report estimates of Federal SSI program savings resulting

from the cessation of benefits to Congress in the Annual Report of Continuing Disability Reviews. The most recent such report, issued May 1, 2012, presented estimates of the effects of CDRs conducted in fiscal year 2010.

3 For years prior to 1998 see the most recent Annual Report of Continuing Disability Reviews for the summary of results for all years since 1993.

Table V.D2.—SSI Continuing Disability Full Medical Reviews by Year of Initial Decision, Fiscal Years 1993-2012

[In thousands]

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decision

Disabled adults Disabled children

Total full 

medical 

reviews

Reviews of 

concurrent Title 

II/XVI cases 

initiated under 

Title II

Title XVI 

initiated 

reviews

Total SSI adult 

reviews

Reviews of 

low-birthweight childrenRedeterminations 

at age 18

All other 

reviews of SSI 

disabled 

children

Total SSI 

children 

reviews

1993 1 — 1 — — — — 1

1994 11 — 11 1 — — 1 12

1995 17 4 21 4 a

a Fewer than 500.

 4 8 29

1996 27 55 82 6 13 1 19 101

1997 51 70 121 7 49 a 56 177

1998 81 75 156 18 41 91 150 306

1999 81 140 221 10 50 183 243 464

2000 106 173 279 10 52 141 203 482

2001 110 144 254 9 49 96 154 408

2002 104 173 276 13 55 164 231 508

2003 72 213 285 7 54 127 189 474

2004 85 221 306 12 53 103 169 474

2005 81 110 191 14 55 61 130 321

2006 72 41 112 8 41 19 68 181

2007 26 18 45 3 71 4 79 124

2008 40 19 59 5 69 5 79 138

2009 42 29 71 13 101 11 124 195

2010 40 35 74 22 87 17 126 201

2011 38 33 71 19 93 25 138 209

2012 51 46 97 16 82 65 163 260
2013 SSI Annual Report

98

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decisionb

Initial decisions

Total initial

DDS decisions

Continuations Cessations Appeals to reconsideration

Number Percent c Number Percent c Number Percent d

Reviews of concurrent Title II/XVI cases initiated under Title II

1998 81,185 68,533 84.4 12,652 15.6 8,723 68.9

1999 80,816 70,353 87.1 10,463 12.9 6,201 59.3

2000 105,787 93,962 88.8 11,825 11.2 6,851 57.9

2001 110,341 99,666 90.3 10,675 9.7 6,291 58.9

2002 103,947 92,069 88.6 11,878 11.4 7,087 59.7

2003 72,175 63,021 87.3 9,154 12.7 5,443 59.5

2004 84,622 75,047 88.7 9,575 11.3 5,891 61.5

2005 80,597 70,687 87.7 9,910 12.3 5,927 59.8

2006 71,825 63,789 88.8 8,036 11.2 4,776 59.4

2007 26,469 22,893 86.5 3,576 13.5 2,155 60.3

2008 40,045 35,891 89.6 4,154 10.4 2,659 64.0

2009 41,609 38,238 91.9 3,371 8.1 2,217 65.8

2010 39,908 35,879 89.9 4,029 10.1 2,738 68.0

2011 37,799 33,194 87.8 4,605 12.2 3,305 71.8

2012 50,715 43,409 85.6 7,306 14.4 5,308 72.7

Title XVI initiated reviews

1998 75,071 64,829 86.4 10,242 13.6 7,239 70.7

1999 140,429 125,079 89.1 15,350 10.9 10,292 67.0

2000 173,470 156,065 90.0 17,405 10.0 10,923 62.8

2001 143,902 126,610 88.0 17,292 12.0 10,262 59.3

2002 172,527 150,837 87.4 21,690 12.6 13,314 61.4

2003 213,212 191,061 89.6 22,151 10.4 14,665 66.2

2004 221,129 199,938 90.4 21,191 9.6 14,627 69.0

2005 110,072 97,330 88.4 12,742 11.6 8,125 63.8

2006 40,605 35,957 88.6 4,648 11.4 2,853 61.4

2007 18,172 16,006 88.1 2,166 11.9 1,426 65.8

2008 18,933 17,049 90.0 1,884 10.0 1,268 67.3

2009 29,137 27,233 93.5 1,904 6.5 1,378 72.4

2010 34,575 31,766 91.9 2,809 8.1 2,049 72.9

2011 33,460 30,291 90.5 3,169 9.5 2,413 76.1

2012 46,439 39,954 86.0 6,485 14.0 4,831 74.5

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1998 156,256 133,362 85.3 22,894 14.7 15,962 69.7

1999 221,245 195,432 88.3 25,813 11.7 16,493 63.9

2000 279,257 250,027 89.5 29,230 10.5 17,774 60.8

2001 254,243 226,276 89.0 27,967 11.0 16,553 59.2

2002 276,474 242,906 87.9 33,568 12.1 20,401 60.8

2003 285,387 254,082 89.0 31,305 11.0 20,108 64.2

2004 305,751 274,985 89.9 30,766 10.1 20,518 66.7

2005 190,669 168,017 88.1 22,652 11.9 14,052 62.0

2006 112,430 99,746 88.7 12,684 11.3 7,629 60.1

2007 44,641 38,899 87.1 5,742 12.9 3,581 62.4

2008 58,978 52,940 89.8 6,038 10.2 3,927 65.0

2009 70,746 65,471 92.5 5,275 7.5 3,595 68.2

2010 74,483 67,645 90.8 6,838 9.2 4,787 70.0

2011 71,259 63,485 89.1 7,774 10.9 5,718 73.6

2012 97,154 83,363 85.8 13,791 14.2 10,139 73.5
99

2013 SSI Annual Report

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Dispositiona of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decisionb

Reconsiderations Appeals beyond reconsideratione

Pending

Continuations

Cessations

Appeals to beyond

reconsideration

Pending

Continuations

Number Percent Cessations c Numberf Percent d Number Percent

Reviews of concurrent Title II/XVI cases initiated under Title II

1998 — 5,503 63.1 3,220 2,466 76.6 — 1,158 47.0 1,308

1999 — 3,974 64.1 2,227 1,542 69.2 — 679 44.0 863

2000 — 4,427 64.6 2,424 1,556 64.2 — 659 42.4 897

2001 — 4,177 66.4 2,114 1,240 58.7 — 496 40.0 744

2002 — 4,787 67.5 2,300 1,451 63.1 — 594 40.9 857

2003 — 3,575 65.7 1,868 1,179 63.1 — 482 40.9 697

2004 — 3,779 64.1 2,112 1,413 66.9 — 594 42.0 819

2005 — 3,827 64.6 2,100 1,492 71.0 — 652 43.7 840

2006 — 3,038 63.6 1,738 1,279 73.6 — 567 44.3 712

2007 — 1,461 67.8 694 531 76.5 — 232 43.7 299

2008 — 1,789 67.3 870 679 78.0 — 284 41.8 395

2009 9 1,510 68.4 698 559 80.1 1 201 36.0 357

2010 146 1,756 67.7 836 627 75.0 41 187 31.9 399

2011 540 1,761 63.7 1,004 702 69.9 313 106 27.2 283

2012 1,738 2,421 67.8 1,149 683 59.4 606 17 22.1 60

Title XVI initiated reviews

1998 — 4,527 62.5 2,712 1,987 73.3 — 781 39.3 1,206

1999 — 6,610 64.2 3,682 2,508 68.1 — 973 38.8 1,535

2000 — 6,823 62.5 4,100 2,778 67.8 — 1,057 38.0 1,721

2001 — 6,224 60.7 4,038 2,618 64.8 — 934 35.7 1,684

2002 — 8,160 61.3 5,154 3,323 64.5 — 1,110 33.4 2,213

2003 — 9,656 65.8 5,009 3,335 66.6 — 1,232 36.9 2,103

2004 — 9,404 64.3 5,223 3,743 71.7 — 1,455 38.9 2,288

2005 — 5,233 64.4 2,892 2,052 71.0 — 772 37.6 1,280

2006 — 1,805 63.3 1,048 746 71.2 — 284 38.1 462

2007 — 963 67.5 463 342 73.9 — 151 44.2 191

2008 1 866 68.4 401 302 75.3 — 118 39.1 184

2009 2 995 72.3 381 285 74.8 1 96 33.8 188

2010 95 1,417 72.5 537 423 78.8 20 130 32.3 273

2011 381 1,484 73.0 548 409 74.6 167 72 29.8 170

2012 1,409 2,327 68.0 1,095 683 62.4 604 28 35.4 51

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1998 — 10,030 62.8 5,932 4,453 75.1 — 1,939 43.5 2,514

1999 — 10,584 64.2 5,909 4,050 68.5 — 1,652 40.8 2,398

2000 — 11,250 63.3 6,524 4,334 66.4 — 1,716 39.6 2,618

2001 — 10,401 62.8 6,152 3,858 62.7 — 1,430 37.1 2,428

2002 — 12,947 63.5 7,454 4,774 64.0 — 1,704 35.7 3,070

2003 — 13,231 65.8 6,877 4,514 65.6 — 1,714 38.0 2,800

2004 — 13,183 64.3 7,335 5,156 70.3 — 2,049 39.7 3,107

2005 — 9,060 64.5 4,992 3,544 71.0 — 1,424 40.2 2,120

2006 — 4,843 63.5 2,786 2,025 72.7 — 851 42.0 1,174

2007 — 2,424 67.7 1,157 873 75.5 — 383 43.9 490

2008 1 2,655 67.6 1,271 981 77.2 — 402 41.0 579

2009 11 2,505 69.9 1,079 844 78.2 2 297 35.3 545

2010 241 3,173 69.8 1,373 1,050 76.5 61 317 32.1 672

2011 921 3,245 67.6 1,552 1,111 71.6 480 178 28.2 453

2012 3,147 4,748 67.9 2,244 1,366 60.9 1,210 45 28.8 111
2013 SSI Annual Report

100

a Data reflect results as of February 2013. The ultimate numbers of continuations and cessations are subject to change until all appeals are final. b For years prior to 1998 see the most recent Annual Report of Continuing Disability Reviews.

c Percentage of decisions at this level.

d Percentage of cessations at this level appealed to next level.

e We do not reflect the status and disposition of cases in the Federal courts here. However, we have included information on the status and disposition at the

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for cases remanded to us by the courts. The excluded experience in the Federal courts has a minimal

impact on the number of continuations.

f Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

g Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.D3.—SSI Disabled Adult Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decisionb Total initialdecisions

Selected summary case information by decision status as of February 2013

Numbers of cases Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending

Reviews of concurrent Title II/XVI cases initiated under Title II

1998 81,185 75,194 — 5,991 92.6 — 7.4

1999 80,816 75,006 — 5,810 92.8 — 7.2

2000 105,787 99,048 — 6,739 93.6 — 6.4

2001 110,341 104,339 — 6,002 94.6 — 5.4

2002 103,947 97,450 — 6,497 93.7 — 6.3

2003 72,175 67,078 — 5,097 92.9 — 7.1

2004 84,622 79,420 — 5,202 93.9 — 6.1

2005 80,597 75,166 — 5,431 93.3 — 6.7

2006 71,825 67,394 — 4,431 93.8 — 6.2

2007 26,469 24,586 — 1,883 92.9 — 7.1

2008 40,045 37,964 — 2,081 94.8 — 5.2

2009 41,609 39,949 10 1,650 96.0 g 4.0

2010 39,908 37,822 187 1,899 94.8 0.5 4.8

2011 37,799 35,061 853 1,885 92.8 2.3 5.0

2012 50,715 45,847 2,344 2,524 90.4 4.6 5.0

Title XVI initiated reviews

1998 75,071 70,137 — 4,934 93.4 — 6.6

1999 140,429 132,662 — 7,767 94.5 — 5.5

2000 173,470 163,945 — 9,525 94.5 — 5.5

2001 143,902 133,768 — 10,134 93.0 — 7.0

2002 172,527 160,107 — 12,420 92.8 — 7.2

2003 213,212 201,949 — 11,263 94.7 — 5.3

2004 221,129 210,797 — 10,332 95.3 — 4.7

2005 110,072 103,335 — 6,737 93.9 — 6.1

2006 40,605 38,046 — 2,559 93.7 — 6.3

2007 18,172 17,120 — 1,052 94.2 — 5.8

2008 18,933 18,033 1 899 95.2 g 4.7

2009 29,137 28,324 3 810 97.2 g 2.8

2010 34,575 33,313 115 1,147 96.3 .3 3.3

2011 33,460 31,847 548 1,065 95.2 1.6 3.2

2012 46,439 42,309 2,013 2,117 91.1 4.3 4.6

Total reviews, SSI disabled adults

1998 156,256 145,331 — 10,925 93.0 — 7.0

1999 221,245 207,668 — 13,577 93.9 — 6.1

2000 279,257 262,993 — 16,264 94.2 — 5.8

2001 254,243 238,107 — 16,136 93.7 — 6.3

2002 276,474 257,557 — 18,917 93.2 — 6.8

2003 285,387 269,027 — 16,360 94.3 — 5.7

2004 305,751 290,217 — 15,534 94.9 — 5.1

2005 190,669 178,501 — 12,168 93.6 — 6.4

2006 112,430 105,440 — 6,990 93.8 — 6.2

2007 44,641 41,706 — 2,935 93.4 — 6.6

2008 58,978 55,997 1 2,980 94.9 g 5.1

2009 70,746 68,273 13 2,460 96.5 g 3.5

2010 74,483 71,135 302 3,046 95.5 .4 4.1

2011 71,259 66,908 1,401 2,950 93.9 2.0 4.1

2012 97,154 88,156 4,357 4,641 90.7 4.5 4.8
101

2013 SSI Annual Report

Table V.D4.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decisionb

Initial decisions

Total initial

DDS decisions

Continuations Cessations Appeals to reconsideration

Number Percent c Number Percent c Number Percent d

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1998 17,620 6,092 34.6 11,528 65.4 3,640 31.6

1999 9,773 4,114 42.1 5,659 57.9 1,639 29.0

2000 10,178 4,566 44.9 5,612 55.1 1,561 27.8

2001 9,086 4,152 45.7 4,934 54.3 1,403 28.4

2002 12,732 5,869 46.1 6,863 53.9 1,953 28.5

2003 7,283 3,516 48.3 3,767 51.7 1,026 27.2

2004 12,060 6,075 50.4 5,985 49.6 1,782 29.8

2005 13,710 6,540 47.7 7,170 52.3 1,995 27.8

2006 8,303 4,030 48.5 4,273 51.5 1,229 28.8

2007 3,175 1,368 43.1 1,807 56.9 510 28.2

2008 5,272 2,231 42.3 3,041 57.7 924 30.4

2009 12,511 5,741 45.9 6,770 54.1 2,121 31.3

2010 22,396 9,048 40.4 13,348 59.6 4,638 34.7

2011 19,359 7,608 39.3 11,751 60.7 4,323 36.8

2012 16,416 6,487 39.5 9,929 60.5 3,632 36.6

Redeterminations at age 18

1998 40,945 21,453 52.4 19,492 47.6 10,915 56.0

1999 49,557 27,413 55.3 22,144 44.7 10,879 49.1

2000 51,713 28,863 55.8 22,850 44.2 11,021 48.2

2001 48,944 28,167 57.5 20,777 42.5 10,049 48.4

2002 54,947 32,388 58.9 22,559 41.1 11,549 51.2

2003 53,905 31,862 59.1 22,043 40.9 11,742 53.3

2004 53,232 31,890 59.9 21,342 40.1 11,585 54.3

2005 55,331 31,434 56.8 23,897 43.2 12,403 51.9

2006 40,640 21,796 53.6 18,844 46.4 9,340 49.6

2007 71,359 36,339 50.9 35,020 49.1 17,775 50.8

2008 69,430 34,547 49.8 34,883 50.2 17,658 50.6

2009 100,986 51,712 51.2 49,274 48.8 27,505 55.8

2010 87,310 41,545 47.6 45,765 52.4 25,714 56.2

2011 93,256 42,772 45.9 50,484 54.1 29,405 58.2

2012 81,568 36,585 44.9 44,983 55.1 25,648 57.0

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1998 91,157 67,203 73.7 23,954 26.3 13,267 55.4

1999 183,211 129,420 70.6 53,791 29.4 28,410 52.8

2000 140,699 106,583 75.8 34,116 24.2 17,014 49.9

2001 95,835 72,896 76.1 22,939 23.9 11,808 51.5

2002 163,768 130,434 79.6 33,334 20.4 17,888 53.7

2003 127,444 100,522 78.9 26,922 21.1 14,876 55.3

2004 103,437 80,748 78.1 22,689 21.9 12,852 56.6

2005 61,387 45,597 74.3 15,790 25.7 8,400 53.2

2006 19,384 14,428 74.4 4,956 25.6 2,591 52.3

2007 4,440 3,161 71.2 1,279 28.8 668 52.2

2008 4,707 3,473 73.8 1,234 26.2 671 54.4

2009 10,637 8,355 78.5 2,282 21.5 1,206 52.8

2010 16,677 12,501 75.0 4,176 25.0 2,230 53.4

2011 25,166 17,157 68.2 8,009 31.8 4,608 57.5

2012 64,834 41,269 63.7 23,565 36.3 14,543 61.7

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1998 149,722 94,748 63.3 54,974 36.7 27,822 50.6

1999 242,541 160,947 66.4 81,594 33.6 40,928 50.2

2000 202,590 140,012 69.1 62,578 30.9 29,596 47.3

2001 153,865 105,215 68.4 48,650 31.6 23,260 47.8

2002 231,447 168,691 72.9 62,756 27.1 31,390 50.0

2003 188,632 135,900 72.0 52,732 28.0 27,644 52.4

2004 168,729 118,713 70.4 50,016 29.6 26,219 52.4

2005 130,428 83,571 64.1 46,857 35.9 22,798 48.7

2006 68,327 40,254 58.9 28,073 41.1 13,160 46.9

2007 78,974 40,868 51.7 38,106 48.3 18,953 49.7

2008 79,409 40,251 50.7 39,158 49.3 19,253 49.2

2009 124,134 65,808 53.0 58,326 47.0 30,832 52.9

2010 126,383 63,094 49.9 63,289 50.1 32,582 51.5

2011 137,781 67,537 49.0 70,244 51.0 38,336 54.6

2012 162,818 84,341 51.8 78,477 48.2 43,823 55.8
2013 SSI Annual Report

102

Table V.D4.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 (Cont.)

Fiscal year of 

initial DDS 

decisionb

Reconsiderations Appeals beyond reconsideration e

Pending

Continuations

Cessations

Appeals to beyond

reconsideration

Pending

Continuations

Number Percent Cessations c Numberf Percent d Number Percent

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1998 — 1,231 33.8 2,409 1,142 47.4 — 244 21.4 898

1999 — 607 37.0 1,032 488 47.3 — 83 17.0 405

2000 — 609 39.0 952 452 47.5 — 99 21.9 353

2001 — 504 35.9 899 405 45.1 — 61 15.1 344

2002 — 698 35.7 1,255 549 43.7 — 112 20.4 437

2003 — 364 35.5 662 301 45.5 — 60 19.9 241

2004 — 643 36.1 1,139 554 48.6 — 84 15.2 470

2005 — 702 35.2 1,293 626 48.4 — 104 16.6 522

2006 — 421 34.3 808 415 51.4 — 78 18.8 337

2007 — 173 33.9 337 189 56.1 — 37 19.6 152

2008 — 264 28.6 660 361 54.7 — 64 17.7 297

2009 34 592 28.4 1,495 863 57.7 10 149 17.5 704

2010 377 1,190 27.9 3,071 1,708 55.6 167 223 14.5 1,318

2011 955 1,056 31.4 2,312 1,232 53.3 515 94 13.1 623

2012 1,703 738 38.3 1,191 478 40.1 423 5 9.1 50

Redeterminations at age 18

1998 — 3,070 28.1 7,845 4,388 55.9 — 1,026 23.4 3,362

1999 — 3,356 30.8 7,523 4,304 57.2 — 1,059 24.6 3,245

2000 — 3,575 32.4 7,446 4,034 54.2 — 1,017 25.2 3,017

2001 — 3,256 32.4 6,793 3,723 54.8 — 969 26.0 2,754

2002 — 3,819 33.1 7,730 4,125 53.4 — 1,100 26.7 3,025

2003 — 3,818 32.5 7,924 4,295 54.2 — 1,146 26.7 3,149

2004 — 3,531 30.5 8,054 4,646 57.7 — 1,298 27.9 3,348

2005 — 3,757 30.3 8,646 5,134 59.4 — 1,435 28.0 3,699

2006 — 2,582 27.6 6,758 4,129 61.1 — 1,219 29.5 2,910

2007 2 4,793 27.0 12,980 8,276 63.8 4 2,431 29.4 5,841

2008 10 5,091 28.8 12,557 8,365 66.6 14 2,214 26.5 6,137

2009 367 7,047 26.0 20,091 13,273 66.1 220 3,131 24.0 9,922

2010 1,801 5,994 25.1 17,919 11,504 64.2 853 2,189 20.6 8,462

2011 6,242 6,430 27.8 16,733 9,910 59.2 3,974 1,095 18.4 4,841

2012 11,487 4,527 32.0 9,634 4,505 46.8 3,843 134 20.2 528

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1998 — 4,456 33.6 8,811 5,511 62.5 — 1,305 23.7 4,206

1999 — 9,324 32.8 19,086 11,711 61.4 — 2,615 22.3 9,096

2000 — 6,434 37.8 10,580 6,237 59.0 — 1,427 22.9 4,810

2001 — 4,619 39.1 7,189 4,257 59.2 — 955 22.4 3,302

2002 — 7,238 40.5 10,650 6,155 57.8 — 1,372 22.3 4,783

2003 — 6,248 42.0 8,628 4,996 57.9 — 1,149 23.0 3,847

2004 — 4,871 37.9 7,981 4,943 61.9 — 1,181 23.9 3,762

2005 — 3,121 37.2 5,279 3,326 63.0 — 769 23.1 2,557

2006 — 943 36.4 1,648 1,089 66.1 — 268 24.6 821

2007 — 269 40.3 399 264 66.2 — 80 30.3 184

2008 — 252 37.6 419 259 61.8 — 58 22.4 201

2009 8 506 42.2 692 446 64.5 4 90 20.4 352

2010 173 764 37.1 1,293 862 66.7 60 131 16.3 671

2011 1,123 1,292 37.1 2,193 1,363 62.2 595 143 18.6 625

2012 7,171 2,920 39.6 4,452 2,239 50.3 2,075 27 16.5 137

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1998 — 8,757 31.5 19,065 11,041 57.9 — 2,575 23.3 8,466

1999 — 13,287 32.5 27,641 16,503 59.7 — 3,757 22.8 12,746

2000 — 10,618 35.9 18,978 10,723 56.5 — 2,543 23.7 8,180

2001 — 8,379 36.0 14,881 8,385 56.3 — 1,985 23.7 6,400

2002 — 11,755 37.4 19,635 10,829 55.2 — 2,584 23.9 8,245

2003 — 10,430 37.7 17,214 9,592 55.7 — 2,355 24.6 7,237

2004 — 9,045 34.5 17,174 10,143 59.1 — 2,563 25.3 7,580

2005 — 7,580 33.2 15,218 9,086 59.7 — 2,308 25.4 6,778

2006 — 3,946 30.0 9,214 5,633 61.1 — 1,565 27.8 4,068

2007 2 5,235 27.6 13,716 8,729 63.6 4 2,548 29.2 6,177

2008 10 5,607 29.1 13,636 8,985 65.9 14 2,336 26.0 6,635

2009 409 8,145 26.8 22,278 14,582 65.5 234 3,370 23.5 10,978

2010 2,351 7,948 26.3 22,283 14,074 63.2 1,080 2,543 19.6 10,451

2011 8,320 8,778 29.2 21,238 12,505 58.9 5,084 1,332 17.9 6,089

2012 20,361 8,185 34.9 15,277 7,222 47.3 6,341 166 18.8 715
103

2013 SSI Annual Report

a Data reflect results as of February 2013. The ultimate numbers of continuations and cessations are subject to change until all appeals are final. b For years prior to 1998 see the most recent Annual Report of Continuing Disability Reviews.

c Percentage of decisions at this level.

d Percentage of cessations at this level appealed to next level.

e We do not reflect the status and disposition of cases in the Federal courts here. However, we have included information on the status and disposition at the

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for cases remanded to us by the courts. The excluded experience in the Federal courts has a minimal

impact on the number of continuations.

f Number of persons appealing beyond the reconsideration level.

g Less than 0.05 percent.

Table V.D4.—SSI Disabled Child Reviews: Disposition a of Continuing Disability Medical Reviews by Year of 

Initial Decision and Level of Decision, Fiscal Years 1998-2012 (Cont.)

Fiscal year of

initial DDS

decisionb Total initialdecisions

Selected summary case information by decision status as of February 2013

Numbers of cases Numbers as a percentage of total initial decisions

Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending Continuations

Cessations

pending an

appeal decision

Cessations

with no

appeal pending

Reviews of low-birth-weight children

1998 17,620 7,567 — 10,053 42.9 — 57.1

1999 9,773 4,804 — 4,969 49.2 — 50.8

2000 10,178 5,274 — 4,904 51.8 — 48.2

2001 9,086 4,717 — 4,369 51.9 — 48.1

2002 12,732 6,679 — 6,053 52.5 — 47.5

2003 7,283 3,940 — 3,343 54.1 — 45.9

2004 12,060 6,802 — 5,258 56.4 — 43.6

2005 13,710 7,346 — 6,364 53.6 — 46.4

2006 8,303 4,529 — 3,774 54.5 — 45.5

2007 3,175 1,578 — 1,597 49.7 — 50.3

2008 5,272 2,559 — 2,713 48.5 — 51.5

2009 12,511 6,482 44 5,985 51.8 0.4 47.8

2010 22,396 10,461 544 11,391 46.7 2.4 50.9

2011 19,359 8,758 1,470 9,131 45.2 7.6 47.2

2012 16,416 7,230 2,126 7,060 44.0 13.0 43.0

Redeterminations at age 18

1998 40,945 25,549 — 15,396 62.4 — 37.6

1999 49,557 31,828 — 17,729 64.2 — 35.8

2000 51,713 33,455 — 18,258 64.7 — 35.3

2001 48,944 32,392 — 16,552 66.2 — 33.8

2002 54,947 37,307 — 17,640 67.9 — 32.1

2003 53,905 36,826 — 17,079 68.3 — 31.7

2004 53,232 36,719 — 16,513 69.0 — 31.0

2005 55,331 36,626 — 18,705 66.2 — 33.8

2006 40,640 25,597 — 15,043 63.0 — 37.0

2007 71,359 43,563 6 27,790 61.0 g 38.9

2008 69,430 41,852 24 27,554 60.3 g 39.7

2009 100,986 61,890 587 38,509 61.3 .6 38.1

2010 87,310 49,728 2,654 34,928 57.0 3.0 40.0

2011 93,256 50,297 10,216 32,743 53.9 11.0 35.1

2012 81,568 41,246 15,330 24,992 50.6 18.8 30.6

All other reviews of SSI disabled children

1998 91,157 72,964 — 18,193 80.0 — 20.0

1999 183,211 141,359 — 41,852 77.2 — 22.8

2000 140,699 114,444 — 26,255 81.3 — 18.7

2001 95,835 78,470 — 17,365 81.9 — 18.1

2002 163,768 139,044 — 24,724 84.9 — 15.1

2003 127,444 107,919 — 19,525 84.7 — 15.3

2004 103,437 86,800 — 16,637 83.9 — 16.1

2005 61,387 49,487 — 11,900 80.6 — 19.4

2006 19,384 15,639 — 3,745 80.7 — 19.3

2007 4,440 3,510 — 930 79.1 — 20.9

2008 4,707 3,783 — 924 80.4 — 19.6

2009 10,637 8,951 12 1,674 84.1 .1 15.7

2010 16,677 13,396 233 3,048 80.3 1.4 18.3

2011 25,166 18,592 1,718 4,856 73.9 6.8 19.3

2012 64,834 44,216 9,246 11,372 68.2 14.3 17.5

Total reviews, SSI disabled children

1998 149,722 106,080 — 43,642 70.9 — 29.1

1999 242,541 177,991 — 64,550 73.4 — 26.6

2000 202,590 153,173 — 49,417 75.6 — 24.4

2001 153,865 115,579 — 38,286 75.1 — 24.9

2002 231,447 183,030 — 48,417 79.1 — 20.9

2003 188,632 148,685 — 39,947 78.8 — 21.2

2004 168,729 130,321 — 38,408 77.2 — 22.8

2005 130,428 93,459 — 36,969 71.7 — 28.3

2006 68,327 45,765 — 22,562 67.0 — 33.0

2007 78,974 48,651 6 30,317 61.6 g 38.4

2008 79,409 48,194 24 31,191 60.7 g 39.3

2009 124,134 77,323 643 46,168 62.3 0.5 37.2

2010 126,383 73,585 3,431 49,367 58.2 2.7 39.1

2011 137,781 77,647 13,404 46,730 56.4 9.7 33.9

2012 162,818 92,692 26,702 43,424 56.9 16.4 26.7
2013 SSI Annual Report

104

E. INCENTIVES FOR WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REHABILITATION

1. Work Incentives

Since the beginning of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a number of disabled or blind

recipients have worked and received SSI payments. Initially, the program contained a basic earned income

exclusion that recognized the additional costs associated with employment. In addition, the law contained

a number of special income exclusions designed to encourage work. The income exclusion for blind work

expenses (BWE), plan to achieve self-support (PASS), and student earned income exclusion were among

these provisions.

In the 1980 amendments to the Social Security Act, Congress provided additional incentives to help SSI

disabled recipients become self-supporting. These incentives included:

 • Providing for an earned income exclusion for impairment-related work expenses (IRWE);

 • Changing the treatment of sheltered workshop earnings from unearned income to earned income,

thereby qualifying sheltered workshop earnings for the earned income exclusion;

 • Providing for the continuation of SSI payments for certain disabled individuals enrolled in vocational

rehabilitation programs whose disability ceased due to medical recovery (extended to SSI blind recipients, effective April 1988);

 • Establishing section 1619, which provided:

 — In subsection 1619(a), special SSI cash benefits to disabled individuals who lose eligibility for

SSI payments because they have earnings exceeding the level that is ordinarily considered to

represent substantial gainful activity (SGA), and

 — In subsection 1619(b), special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes to working disabled or

blind individuals when their earnings make them ineligible for cash payments.

We discuss the incentives for work and opportunities for rehabilitation in more detail in section III.E. In

the following tables we provide historical information on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive

programs.1

a. Numbers of Participants in Work Incentive Programs

In this section, we present historical data on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive programs.

Table V.E1 presents historical numbers of SSI recipients categorized according to their section 1619 status. Figure V.E1 presents this information in graphical form.

1 More detailed information on participation by SSI recipients in work incentive programs is provided in the SSI Annual Statistical Report. Pub. No. 13-

11827, prepared by the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Social Security Administration.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

Table V.E1.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients as of December, 1987-2012

Year

SGA

level a

a According to regulation, SSA bases increases in 2001 and subsequent years on increases in the national average wage index. SGA

rules do not apply to blind recipients.

In current-payment status Total

1619(a) workers workers b

b Includes disabled workers whose earnings are above SGA level.

Other workers c

c Includes blind workers in current-payment status and disabled workers whose earnings are at or below SGA level.

1619(b) workers d

d 1619(b) recipients are not in current-payment status but retain SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes.

1987...................................... $300 14,559 142,664 15,632 172,855

1988...................................... 300 19,920 153,599 15,625 189,144

1989...................................... 300 25,655 161,928 18,254 205,837

1990...................................... 500 13,994 182,421 23,517 219,932

1991...................................... 500 15,531 186,824 27,264 229,619

1992...................................... 500 17,603 199,665 31,649 248,917

1993...................................... 500 20,028 210,322 35,299 265,649

1994...................................... 500 24,315 217,478 40,683 282,476

1995...................................... 500 28,060 223,573 47,002 298,635

1996...................................... 500 31,085 225,310 51,905 308,300

1997...................................... 500 34,673 228,093 57,089 319,855

1998...................................... 500 37,271 229,662 59,542 326,475

1999...................................... e 700

e Increased to $700 in July 1999.

25,528 245,825 69,265 340,618

2000...................................... 700 27,542 249,313 83,572 360,427

2001...................................... 740 22,100 247,555 76,455 346,110

2002...................................... 780 17,271 241,462 82,177 340,910

2003...................................... 800 17,132 235,453 71,097 323,682

2004...................................... 810 17,114 237,409 73,681 328,204

2005...................................... 830 17,621 240,744 78,205 336,570

2006...................................... 860 17,394 242,676 89,350 349,420

2007...................................... 900 16,939 242,854 97,551 357,344

2008...................................... 940 16,142 240,138 99,482 355,762

2009...................................... 980 11,900 236,741 91,534 340,175

2010...................................... 1,000 11,305 234,481 72,751 318,537

2011...................................... 1,000 11,763 235,248 65,768 312,779

2012...................................... 1,010 11,813 233,915 67,927 313,655

 Figure V.E1.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Working Recipients 

as of December, 1987-2012

[In thousands]

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Year 

1619(b) workers

1619(a) workers

Recipients in current-pay

working at or below SGA
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Table V.E2 presents historical numbers of SSI recipients who benefit from other selected work incentive

provisions: (1) PASS; (2) IRWE; and (3) BWE. These recipients may be benefiting from more than one of

these selected work incentive provisions. This information is available only for calendar years 1990 and

later.

Note: Working recipients participating in these other work incentives may be 1619(a) recipients, 1619(b) recipients or other working

recipients.

b. Average Earnings of Participants in Work Incentive Programs

In this section, we present historical data on average earnings of SSI working recipients. Table V.E3 presents average earnings of SSI recipients categorized according to their section 1619 status.

Table V.E2.—SSI Federally-Administered Blind or Disabled Individuals with SSI Recipient Status Participating 

in Other Work Incentives as of December, 1990-2012

Year

PASS a

a For years 1990 through 1996, data do not include PASS plans that exclude only resources.

Non-workers Workers Total IRWE BWE

1990......................................... 1,215 1,040 2,255 5,384 4,385

1991......................................... 1,969 1,601 3,570 6,546 4,330

1992......................................... 3,189 2,658 5,847 7,813 4,454

1993......................................... 4,528 3,602 8,130 8,629 4,406

1994......................................... 5,842 4,487 10,329 9,484 4,380

1995......................................... 5,719 4,603 10,322 9,940 4,433

1996......................................... 2,760 1,944 4,704 9,799 4,230

1997......................................... 1,290 708 1,998 9,637 4,116

1998......................................... 712 362 1,074 9,301 3,802

1999......................................... 698 347 1,045 9,520 3,971

2000......................................... 862 520 1,382 9,422 3,895

2001......................................... 1,024 576 1,600 8,798 3,642

2002......................................... 1,150 571 1,721 8,047 3,386

2003......................................... 1,181 524 1,705 7,604 3,074

2004......................................... 1,112 486 1,598 6,874 2,827

2005......................................... 1,089 493 1,582 6,310 2,552

2006......................................... 1,098 485 1,583 5,650 2,370

2007......................................... 1,003 512 1,515 5,161 2,142

2008......................................... 1,074 485 1,559 4,572 1,925

2009......................................... 1,037 420 1,457 3,862 1,643

2010......................................... 1,001 392 1,393 3,491 1,847

2011 ......................................... 882 405 1,287 3,339 1,570

2012......................................... 760 356 1,116 3,157 1,410

Table V.E3.—Average Monthly Earnings of SSI Federally-Administered Blind or

Disabled Working Recipients, as of December, 1987-2012

Year

Blind or disabled workers with SSI recipient status

In current-payment status Total

1619(a) workers workers a

a Workers’ earnings are above the SGA level. See table V.E1 for yearly SGA levels.

Other workers b

b Disabled workers’ earnings are at or below the SGA level.

1619(b) workers c

c 1619(b) recipients are not in current-payment status but retain SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes.

1987 ........................................ $494 d $124

d Estimated.

$739 d $211

1988 ........................................ 522 d 127 721 d 218

1989 ........................................ 518 d 131 712 d 231

1990 ........................................ 712 145 746 245

1991 ........................................ 724 148 780 262

1992 ........................................ 726 150 781 271

1993 ........................................ 728 153 784 280

1994 ........................................ 746 157 803 301

1995 ........................................ 754 160 834 322

1996 ........................................ 764 162 881 344

1997 ........................................ 772 164 932 367

1998 ........................................ 772 182 954 390

1999 ........................................ 926 207 980 418

2000 ........................................ 945 239 1,048 481

2001 ........................................ 1,004 252 1,043 475

2002 ........................................ 1,043 253 1,094 495

2003 ........................................ 1,059 241 1,081 469

2004 ........................................ 1,076 246 1,070 474

2005 ........................................ 1,111 255 1,118 500

2006 ........................................ 1,166 258 1,193 542

2007 ........................................ 1,193 262 1,267 581

2008 ........................................ 1,235 259 1,340 605

2009 ........................................ 1,262 252 1,327 577

2010 ........................................ 1,260 244 1,266 513

2011......................................... 1,265 248 1,261 499

2012 ........................................ 1,298 257 1,318 526
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2. Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work Program 

Provisions designed to make vocational rehabilitation (VR) services available to SSI blind or disabled

recipients have been part of the SSI program since its inception. From the beginning, the Social Security

Administration (SSA) referred SSI recipients to State VR agencies, which provided services to those

recipients they accepted as clients. Prior to 1981, SSA made block grants to VR agencies to fund services

to disabled beneficiaries. The 1981 amendments changed this and established a “cost” reimbursement provision. Under this provision, we reimburse VR agencies for the cost of VR services furnished to blind or

disabled SSI recipients only if the services result in the recipient returning to work. For reimbursement

purposes, we consider recipients to have returned to work if they have had earnings exceeding the SGA

level for 9 continuous months. 

The 1984 amendments authorized reimbursement for cases1 where the recipient medically recovers while

engaged in a program of rehabilitation services approved by SSA and SSA determines that continuation or

completion of such a program would increase the likelihood the individual will permanently leave the

rolls. The 1990 amendments authorized reimbursement for the cost of services the VR agencies provide in

months in which the individual is not receiving Federal SSI benefits if the individual: 

 • Has special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes under section 1619(b) of the Social Security

Act; 

 • Receives a Federally-administered State supplementation payment; or 

 • Temporarily loses eligibility for SSI benefits for fewer than 13 consecutive months for a reason other

than cessation of disability or blindness. 

In 1994, SSA amended the regulations to include reimbursement to alternate private and non-State public

VR providers (“alternate participants”) that provided VR services to recipients that a State VR agency had

not accepted as clients. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 subsequently

replaced the alternate provider program with the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program (Ticket to

Work program).

Under the Ticket to Work program, a disabled beneficiary may obtain vocational rehabilitation, employment and other support services from qualified private or public providers—“employment networks”

(ENs). The Ticket to Work program authorized the Commissioner to provide payments to ENs under

either an outcome payment system or an outcome-milestone payment system.2 By expanding the pool of

providers and giving the providers incentives for achieving success, this program expands access to these

services for persons with disabilities to assist them in finding, entering, and retaining employment as well

as reducing their dependence on cash benefits. 

Beginning in February 2002, SSA implemented the Ticket to Work program on a State-by-State basis and

completed implementation in September 2004. As we implemented the Ticket to Work program in a State,

we eliminated the alternate provider and the traditional VR referral process described earlier. SSA provides eligible individuals who receive SSI benefits due to blindness or disability in such a State with

access to employment support services. Ticket-eligible beneficiaries may use the ticket to obtain vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, and other support services needed to return to work or

go to work for the first time from ENs or their State VR agencies. Individuals not eligible for a ticket may

1 The 1980 amendments provided for benefit continuation for such SSI recipients who were continuing in a VR program after their disability ended. Lawmakers extended the provision to blind recipients effective April 1988.

2 State VR agencies may elect on a case-by-case basis to receive payment under the traditional VR reimbursement system, or as an EN under the outcome

or outcome-milestone payment system.
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still request services from a State VR agency; the VR agency continues to decide whether each beneficiary

is eligible for services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

The Ticket legislation required that SSA establish a corps of work incentives specialists to disseminate

accurate information about work incentives. In addition, the Social Security Protection Act of 2004 mandated that SSA provide a work report receipt to the beneficiary. SSA responded to these mandates with the

following actions:

 • In fiscal year 2003, SSA established the Area Work Incentives Coordinator (AWIC) position and

trained a total of 58 AWICs, assigning at least one AWIC to each Area Office. We created the AWIC

position to improve the quality of employment support services provided to beneficiaries through

training, outreach, and better coordination of support services. As of fiscal year 2013, there are 52

AWICs on duty.

 • In fiscal year 2004, SSA released eWork, a web-based design application that provides a uniform

electronic system to process and control OASDI return to work cases. Since eWork does not communicate with any SSI systems, SSA developed a web-based application, the SSI Monthly Wage Verification (SSIMWV), to process and control SSI work reports. The SSIMWV allows SSA employees to

issue the mandated work report receipt in addition to processing the wage report. We released

SSIMWV nationally in November 2006. 

In 2008, we implemented the Supplemental Security Income Telephone Wage Reporting (SSITWR)

system nationally to help reduce wage-related improper payments and facilitate timely and accurate

wage reporting. SSITWR is an automated system that uses a toll-free dedicated telephone number,

with touch-tone entry and voice-recognition software. It allows SSI recipients, their representative

payees and deemors to report gross wages from the prior month over the phone. Wage reporters can

only use the SSITWR during the first 6 days of the month to report wages successfully for the prior

month. SSITWR posts successful wage reports to the SSI record without intervention from an SSA

employee, and adjusts subsequent SSI payment amounts before we issue the payment. The system

also issues an automated receipt to the SSI recipient and his or her representative payee for each successful wage report as required by section 202 of the Social Security Protection Act of 2004.

 • In fiscal year 2006, SSA awarded cooperative agreements in all States, the District of Columbia, and

Territories under the new Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, which replaced

and enhanced the former Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach (BPAO) program. The WIPA

program provides accurate information about work incentive programs and other employment support services, as well as planning and assistance services, to beneficiaries with disabilities to support

and facilitate their transition into the workforce. Funding for SSA’s WIPA program, provided from

SSA’s fiscal year 2011 appropriation, came to a close in the summer of 2012. Therefore as of June 30,

2012, the majority of WIPA program grantees no longer had SSA funds available to continue to provide these services. Some grants had sufficient funding through September 2012, others through

December 2012, and a small number through 2013, but despite the 2012 funding lapse, the WIPA program will restart again by the end of the summer of 2013.

In fiscal year 2003, AWIC employees provided refresher training on employment supports to the local

Work Incentive Liaisons located in each of the local field offices. Beginning in fiscal year 2004, SSA

updated the systems application phase of this training with the release of eWork. We provided training to

all direct service employees in field offices, teleservice centers and the payment processing centers. We

completed this training initiative in November 2004.

AWICs have also been very active in participating in outreach activities in their local areas and continue to

be the primary point of contact for public information outreach in the communities. They have strength-
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2013 SSI Annual Report

ened the relationship with our Ticket to Work partners. AWICs also work closely with the regional PASS

cadres in SSA to make joint educational presentations to the community about our employment support

programs. The partnership has strengthened support of one of the objectives of the Ticket to Work program, which is to educate the public about the benefits of returning to work and becoming self-sufficient.

We have made presentations directly to persons with disabilities and entities that provide services to this

target group, including presentations at:

 • Work Incentives Seminar Events

 • Disability Employment Fairs

 • Disability Forums and Expos

 • Technical Colleges

 • Universities

 • Disability Resource Centers

 • One-Stop Career Centers

 • Small Business Administration Groups

 • Workforce Investment Fairs

 • Independent Living Councils’ Conferences

 • United Way Agencies

 • State Advocacy Groups

In 2008, SSA revised the Ticket to Work regulations to enhance beneficiary choice and improve the effectiveness of the program. The revisions extended the program to all adult OASDI disabled and SSI blind or

disabled beneficiaries, removed disincentives for employment networks to participate in the program, provided incentives for them to support beneficiaries through a more gradual return to work, and positioned

them to better support ongoing retention of employment. Since we published the new regulations, SSA has

noted promising trends:

 • We have seen a 52 percent increase in beneficiaries initiating return to work programs, from 203,664

as of May 1, 2008 to 310,291 as of February 1, 2013. In the period covered by this report, we have

seen a 5.5 percent increase in beneficiaries choosing to participate in the Ticket to Work program,

from 294,182 in January 2012 to 310,291 in January 2013; and

 • In 2011, the number of beneficiaries receiving services under the Ticket to Work program who

worked increased by 11.9 percent (from 117,124 to 131,099) over calendar year 2010.

See section V.G.1.d for information on the evaluation of the Ticket to Work program.

Table V.E4 provides historical data on the number of VR agency reimbursement claims allowed and the

amount of such awards for SSI recipients.

In a somewhat broader context of providing work incentives for disabled beneficiaries of both the OASDI

and SSI programs, the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget contains a proposal to test a framework for

simplifying the rather complicated array of work incentives available under the OASDI program. Under
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the proposed Work Incentives Simplification Program, we would treat earnings of OASDI disabled beneficiaries more like the treatment of earnings for SSI disabled adults under SSI.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table V.E5 provides historical data on the number of employment network payments allowed and the

amount of such payments for SSI recipients.

Table V.E4.—Vocational Rehabilitation Reimbursement Claims Allowed, Fiscal Years 1987-2012

Fiscal year

Concurrent Title II/XVI claims Title XVI only claims Total claims

Number

Amount a

(in thousands)

a For concurrent Title II/XVI claims, amounts shown represent Title XVI portion of claim.

Number

Amount

(in thousands) Number

Amount a

(in thousands)

1987 .............. b

b For fiscal years 1987-89, data on Title II reimbursement claims involving concurrent Title XVI reimbursement claims are not available.

b 1,493 $10,010 b b

1988 .............. b b 1,720 14,831 b b

1989 .............. b b 1,871 18,366 b b

1990 .............. 1,267 $3,290 2,819 22,832 4,086 $26,122

1991 .............. 1,445 4,325 2,171 20,615 3,616 24,940

1992 .............. 1,634 5,312 2,834 28,276 4,468 33,588

1993 .............. 1,928 6,670 2,158 22,264 4,086 28,934

1994 .............. 1,880 7,057 2,074 23,400 3,954 30,457

1995 .............. 2,140 7,761 2,229 26,402 4,369 34,162

1996 .............. 2,033 6,518 2,138 24,334 4,171 30,852

1997 .............. 2,735 8,541 2,914 31,532 5,649 40,073

1998 .............. 3,329 10,089 3,446 36,313 6,775 46,402

1999 .............. 3,572 11,403 4,046 42,281 7,618 53,684

2000 .............. 3,260 11,357 3,589 40,793 6,849 52,150

2001 .............. 2,388 9,590 2,763 34,842 5,151 44,432

2002 .............. 3,241 12,201 3,474 43,244 6,715 55,445

2003 .............. 2,139 8,110 1,993 25,238 4,132 33,348

2004 .............. 1,999 7,759 2,150 26,390 4,149 34,149

2005 .............. 1,883 7,420 1,692 21,866 3,575 29,286

2006 .............. 2,581 10,382 2,257 28,597 4,838 38,979

2007 .............. 2,037 8,407 1,871 26,468 3,908 34,875

2008 .............. 2,743 11,229 2,515 35,732 5,258 46,961

2009 .............. 2,567 11,046 2,373 34,801 4,940 45,847

2010 .............. 2,337 9,431 2,109 32,511 4,446 41,942

2011 .............. 1,300 6,551 1,407 23,196 2,707 29,747

2012 .............. 1,418 6,046 1,540 24,351 2,958 30,397

Table V.E5.—Employment Network Payments Allowed, Fiscal Years 2002-12a

a Does not include reimbursements to State VR agencies for tickets assigned under the VR cost reimbursement option.

Fiscal year

Concurrent Title II/XVI payments Title XVI only payments Total payments

Number

Amount b

(in thousands)

b For concurrent Title II/XVI payments, amounts shown represent Title XVI portion of the payments.

Number

Amount

(in thousands) Number

Amount b

(in thousands)

2002 .............. 7 $1 1 c

c Less than $500.

Note: Totals do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

8 $1

2003 .............. 138 19 260 $47 398 66

2004 .............. 245 35 674 127 919 162

2005 .............. 692 105 1,292 251 1,984 356

2006 .............. 975 137 1,648 317 2,623 454

2007 .............. 1,259 181 1,713 334 2,972 515

2008 .............. 1,827 274 2,524 520 4,351 794

2009 .............. 2,575 594 3,282 1,310 5,857 1,904

2010 .............. 3,461 864 3,819 1,704 7,280 2,568

2011 .............. 4,565 1,145 5,879 2,789 10,444 3,934

2012 .............. 5,577 1,359 6,257 2,971 11,834 4,330
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2013 SSI Annual Report

F. INVOLVEMENT OF SSI RECIPIENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS

In this appendix, we present statistics on participation by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients

in other programs using data from the Supplemental Security Record (SSR), the main administrative file

for the SSI program. We develop summary data on: (1) current participation by SSI recipients in other programs from a 100-percent extract of the SSR; and (2) previous participation by SSI recipients in other programs from a 10-percent extract of the SSR. Both sets of summary data are representative of the overall

SSI recipient population.

Since the amount of an individual’s income affects both the eligibility for, and the amount of, his or her

SSI benefit, the SSR must contain information on participation by SSI recipients in certain other programs

that may provide countable income to the SSI recipient. A significant number of SSI recipients are Social

Security beneficiaries whose total countable income, including OASDI benefits, is less than the Federal

benefit rate plus the amount of applicable Federally-administered State supplementation payment. A

smaller number of SSI recipients participate in other programs and receive income such as Workers’ Compensation benefits or disability cash benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SSA does not maintain complete information concerning the involvement of SSI recipients in other assistance programs because under the law payments from such programs are not countable income attributable

to the individual. We do, however, have some data with regard to entitlement to benefits under two other

programs—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (which replaced Aid to Families with

Dependent Children (AFDC)) and State Interim Assistance Reimbursement—at the point that the individual applied for SSI benefits. TANF (and AFDC previously) is a State program funded under Part A of Title

IV of the Social Security Act. Interim assistance is assistance a State gives to SSI applicants in cash or

vendor payments for meeting basic needs while they are awaiting the outcome of the SSI eligibility determination process.

Table V.F1 presents percentages of SSI recipients who: (1) concurrently receive payments from certain

other selected programs; or (2) have previously received TANF/AFDC benefits or Interim Assistance

Reimbursement.

Note: Total numbers of recipients do not necessarily equal the sums of rounded components.

Table V.F1.—Percentage of SSI Federally-Administered Recipients in Current-Payment Status with Participationa

in Selected Programs Based on SSA Administrative Records, December 2012

a SSI recipients or households of SSI recipients may participate in more than one of these programs.

Age groups

0-17 18-64 All

65 or

older

Number of Federally-administered recipients, 

December 2012 (in thousands).................................................................................................................... 1,312 4,869 2,082 8,263

Program (In percent)

Program participation by SSI recipients, December 2012

Federal SSI.............................................................................................................................................. 99.9 97.7 94.7 97.3

Federally-administered State SSI supplementation ................................................................................ 17.9 22.9 41.5 26.8

OASDI .................................................................................................................................................... 7.6 30.8 56.1 33.5

Black Lung.............................................................................................................................................. 0.0 b

b Less than 0.05 percent of SSI recipients in this gender/age grouping participate in the program.

b b

Railroad Retirement................................................................................................................................ bb b b

Veterans Affairs disability cash benefits................................................................................................. 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.4

Workers’ Compensation.......................................................................................................................... b 0.1 b 0.1

Previous program participation by SSI recipients, December 2012

TANF/AFDC .......................................................................................................................................... 25.6 28.1 12.7 23.8

Interim Assistance Reimbursement ........................................................................................................ 0.7 13.8 11.2 11.0
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There are other potential sources for information on SSI recipients when that information is not available

on the SSI administrative files. These sources include the following:

 • The Survey of Income and Program Participation, a U.S. Census Bureau sample survey, is comprised

of a continuous series of national panels that collect information such as the source and amount of

income, asset holdings, program participation and general demographic characteristics for the U.S.

civilian noninstitutionalized population.

 • The Current Population Survey (CPS), a U.S. Census Bureau sample survey conducted monthly by

the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics is the primary source of information on

the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. The CPS March Supplement (the Annual Social

and Economic Supplement), collects, in addition to the usual monthly labor force data, information on

income, noncash benefits, program participation and general demographic characteristics for the U.S.

resident noninstitutionalized population.

 • The Health and Retirement Study, a survey sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and conducted by the University of Michigan, is a biennial survey that collects information such as health status, health care utilization, income, asset holdings, program participation and general demographic

characteristics for the U. S. population over age 50.
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2013 SSI Annual Report

G. RESEARCH ON RELATED TOPICS

The legislative mandate for this report requires inclusion of information about “relevant research on the

SSI program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and others.” Section 1 of this appendix

describes major ongoing projects. Section 2 presents a bibliography of studies regarding Supplemental

Security Income (SSI) payment levels, recipients, and reform proposals published in the past 10 years by

both public and private entities.

1. Ongoing Research

a. SSI Policy Simulations

Using Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data matched to administrative records, SSA

researchers have developed a model of financial eligibility for SSI to estimate the rate of participation

among the eligible elderly and the effects of various options to modify the SSI program (see Davies et al.

2001/2002). The model suggests that the rate of participation among the eligible elderly was about 62 percent in 1991. The comparable participation rate estimate at the end of 1996 was also 62 percent. An

updated version of the model uses the 2004 SIPP matched to administrative records.

We used the model to simulate the potential effects of several approaches to expand the SSI program to

fight poverty among the elderly. Approaches focusing on incremental changes in the Federal benefit rate,

the general income exclusion, and the resources test appear roughly equally effective in reducing the poverty gap among the elderly on a cost-equivalent basis, while two approaches focusing on relaxing the

earned income exclusion are less effective (Davies, Rupp, and Strand, 2004). More recently, we expanded

the model to address SSI participation and financial eligibility among the working-age disabled and to

assess SSI benefit restructuring options for the entire SSI population. The working-aged model allows for

the identification of working-aged persons by their SSI financial eligibility status, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) insured status, and participation in both programs. We used the expanded model to

assess SSI’s role in complementing SSDI and enhancing the safety net for the working-aged population

(Rupp, Davies, and Strand, 2008). We simulated the effects of several approaches to changing in-kind support and maintenance rules and options for altering the calculation of the Federal benefit rate for certain

living arrangement categories (Balkus et al. 2009). We also studied eligibility for Medicare buy-in programs with the financial eligibility model (see Rupp and Sears 2000; Sears 2001/2002). In unpublished

internal research, we used the model to estimate the size of the population potentially eligible for the

Medicare Part D low income subsidy.

b. National Survey of SSI Children and Families

The National Survey of SSI Children and Families (NSCF) addressed a number of agency policy and program objectives. One objective was to address issues specifically pertaining to the effects of the Personal

Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (welfare reform). However, the survey

as designed is useful for the study of a broader range of issues of current interest to policy makers. Most

importantly, it allows for the analysis of a nationally representative cross-section of SSI beneficiary children aged 0-17 and young adults aged 18-23. Among the questions the survey answers are the following: 

 • What are the characteristics of SSI children? 

 • What alternative sources of care are available to disabled children who lose SSI benefits?

 • How is quality of life and utilization of medical services impacted by gaining or losing SSI benefits?

 • What is the cost of caring for a child with disabilities?
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 • What are the uses of SSI benefits?

 • What is the impact of the nature and severity of the child’s disabilities on parental labor force participation? 

The NSCF data collection began July 2001 and concluded June 2002. The NSCF sample size was considerably larger for SSI children and young adults than the sample size available in other surveys. Altogether,

the NSCF includes 8,535 completed interviews, including 5,006 who received SSI benefits in December

2000 and 5,033 who received SSI benefits in December 1996. The NSCF public-use data file and documentation is available on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/nscf.htm. Davies and

Rupp (2005/2006) provides an overview of the survey and describes some key features. We discuss other

analyses using these data in section c below. Although it was a cross-sectional data collection effort, we

continue to update the match between NSCF and SSI administrative records with longitudinal data on SSI

program participation. 

c. Analytic Studies

A number of studies by SSA researchers provide a better understanding of the SSI program, the elderly

and disabled target populations, program interactions, and the role of the SSI program in the United States

social safety net. Koenig and Rupp (2003/2004) estimates the prevalence of households and families with

multiple SSI recipients and provides an assessment of the poverty status of multirecipient households. In

2003 and again in 2005, SSA provided funding for interviewing supplemental samples of SSI and SSDI

beneficiaries to increase the SIPP sample size available for analyses of these target groups. DeCesaro and

Hemmeter (2008) examines the characteristics of SSDI and SSI program participants using the 2003 supplemental sample combined with the 2001 SIPP, both matched to administrative records. Ongoing

research by Stegman and Hemmeter will update this research note using the 2008 SIPP matched to 2010

administrative records to examine the characteristics of SSDI and SSI program participants. Rupp and

Davies (2004) tracks survey respondents from the 1984 SIPP for 14 years using administrative records on

SSI and SSDI participation and death events to assess the relationship between self-reported health status,

disabilities, mortality, and participation in the SSI and SSDI programs. Weathers et al. (2007) uses a

unique longitudinal dataset based on administrative data from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf

(NTID) linked to SSA administrative records to conduct a case study of SSI children who applied for postsecondary education at NTID. Another study uses SSA administrative records from August 2005 through

August 2007 to analyze SSI recipients who lived in counties and parishes affected by Hurricanes Katrina

and Rita (Davies and Hemmeter 2010). Hemmeter (2009) examines the occupational distribution of SSI

disability recipients aged 18-61 who work. Hemmeter and Gilby (2009) analyzes age-18 redetermination

outcomes for SSI youth, including appeals of initial cessations and subsequent reapplications for benefits

after a period of ineligibility, while Hemmeter (2012) looks at changes in diagnostic codes following the

age-18 redetermination. Another ongoing research study examines the subsequent participation in the

SSDI and SSI programs by individuals whose eligibility for those programs ceased through a continuing

disability review because of medical improvements. Rupp (2012) analyzes factors affecting initial disability allowance rates for the SSDI and SSI programs and finds that demographic and diagnostic characteristics of applicants and the local unemployment rate substantially affect the initial allowance rate.

Using data from the Current Population Survey matched to SSA administrative records, Nicholas and

Wiseman (2009) assesses the impact of using administrative records on poverty estimation among elderly

SSI recipients using the official and alternative definitions of poverty. Wiseman and Ycas (2008) compares

the Canadian social assistance program for the elderly with the SSI program, looking at program structure,

cost and consequences for elderly poverty rates. Kemp (2010) conducts a descriptive analysis of the SSI

student earned income exclusion. One ongoing study is examining the growth in SSI applications and

awards among children. Another ongoing study is looking at SSI children by year of award and age at

award and analyzing transitions (onto SSDI, off SSDI and SSI, mortality) as they age into adulthood. Rene
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Parent, Incigul Sayman and Kevin Kulzer published a Social Security research and Statistical note entitled, “Profile of Social Security Disabled Workers and Dependents Who Have a Connection to Workers’

Compensation or Public Disability Benefits” (No. 2012-03 (released September 2012)). This note provides a comprehensive profile of the characteristics of disability beneficiaries with a connection to workers’ compensation or public disability benefits. Parent et al. (2012) found that 8.3 percent of disabled

workers who have this connection tend to be economically better off, more frequently middle-aged, male,

afflicted with a musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorder, and tend to wait longer to apply for social

security disability benefits after onset than the general disabled-worker population.

Several studies focus on the distributional effects of the SSI program through its interactions with other

Federal and State programs. One on-going study is utilizing longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study to assess the role of SSI and related social safety net programs in providing a buffer against the

potentially adverse effects of disability shocks in the near-elderly population on financial well-being.

Rupp et al. (2008) provides an empirical analysis of the SSI Federal benefit rate for assessing benefit adequacy among elderly Social Security beneficiaries and the effectiveness of the SSI benefit eligibility

screens for targeting economically vulnerable elderly beneficiaries. Balkus et al. (2009) examines the distributional effects of replacing current policies on living arrangements and in-kind support with a simpler,

cost neutral alternative. Rupp and Strand (2007) highlights the distributional implications of Social Security reform scenarios involving a potential shift from wage indexing to price indexing or longevity indexing in the establishment of initial benefits. Strand (2010) uses matched SIPP records to examine potential

eligibility for three major means-tested programs (SSI, Medicaid, and Food Stamp) among near retirees

aged 55 to 64 and eventual SSI participation upon reaching age 65. Rupp, Davies, and Strand (2008) finds

that over one-third of the working-age population is covered by SSI in the event of a severe disability,

which provides disability benefit coverage to many who are not SSDI-insured and enhances the potential

bundle of disability cash benefits among a substantial segment of those who are SSDI-insured. 

On-going work and previously published papers by Rupp and Riley are based on a linkage of individuallevel administrative data from SSA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. First, Rupp and

Riley (2011) analyzes longitudinal patterns of interaction between SSDI and SSI and finds that one quarter

of the year 2000 cohort of first-ever working-age disability awardees received benefits from both programs over a 60-month period. A second paper (Rupp and Riley, 2012) analyzes the effect of longitudinal

interactions between the SSDI and SSI programs in providing access to Medicare and Medicaid, and finds

that SSI facilitates high levels of Medicaid coverage for SSI awardees overall and provides access to Medicaid for many SSDI awardees during the 24-month Medicare waiting period. A third paper (Riley and

Rupp, 2012) tracks expenditures for 2000-2006 for the SSDI, SSI, Medicare and Medicaid programs and

finds that SSI is a relatively low expenditure program with important implications for the other three programs. The authors conclude that SSI and Medicaid provide a temporary safety net supporting SSDI beneficiaries during their SSDI and Medicare waiting periods. Ongoing work by the authors focuses on

estimated cumulative expenditure patterns over the working-age adult portion of the life cycle for the year

2000 awardees for the four programs (SSDI, SSI, Medicare and Medicaid). Other on-going research using

the same data set analyzes whether disability benefit recipients (SSDI and SSI) in States with easier access

to health insurance will be more likely to work and exit from SSDI and/or SSI than their peers in states

where health insurance is more difficult to access.

Wamhoff and Wiseman (2005/2006) examines the financial consequences of Temporary Assistance for

Needy Families (TANF)-to-SSI transfers and develops new estimates of both the prevalence of receipt of

SSI benefits among families receiving cash assistance from TANF and the proportion of new SSI awards

that go to adults and children residing in families receiving TANF-related benefits. Trenkamp and Wiseman (2007) addresses the connections between the SSI and Food Stamp programs. Meijer, Karoly, and

Michaud (2009, 2010) analyzes eligibility for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, which relies on a

simplified SSI methodology.
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A number of studies utilize the NSCF to focus on children and young adults receiving SSI. Rupp et al.

(2005/2006) presents highlights from the survey characterizing SSI children with disabilities and their

families. Hemmeter (2011) analyzes the unmet health care needs of SSI children after the age-18 redetermination. Additional research studies employment and caregiving patterns of parents of SSI children

(Rupp and Ressler 2009), examines employment and program outcomes among young adults after their

eligibility redetermination at age 18 (Hemmeter, Kauff, and Wittenburg 2009), and analyzes factors affecting out-of-pocket medical expenses and unmet health care needs of disabled children (DeCesaro and Hemmeter 2009). These papers appear in a special issue of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation (volume

30, number 3, 2009) devoted to SSI children and young adults and the transition to adulthood. The special

issue also includes a paper that introduces the issue and examines the life-cycle human capital development and longer-term SSI and earnings outcomes of SSI youth as they transition to adulthood (Davies,

Rupp, and Wittenburg 2009), as well as two papers that focus on SSA’s Youth Transition Demonstration

(Fraker and Rangarajan 2009; Luecking and Wittenburg 2009). The articles from the special issue are

available on SSA’s web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/JVR.html. Camacho and Hemmeter (2013)

summarize the findings from two earlier Youth Transition Demonstration projects.

d. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 requires the Commissioner of Social

Security to provide independent evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the TTW program. We are conducting all TTW evaluation reports through an independent evaluation contractor, Mathematica Policy

Research, Inc. Papers from all seven TTW reports are available on Social Security Online at http://

www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/twe_reports.htm.

One of the foundations of the evaluation is an annual research file, the Disability Analysis File (DAF). The

DAF was previously called the Ticket Research File. The DAF contains the agency's disparate administrative data resources for all beneficiaries age 10 to full retirement age who have received disability cash benefits from the SSI, OASDI, or both programs since 1996. We initially produced the DAF to support the

TTW evaluation, and researchers now use it for a wide array of disability-related research.

A second foundation of the TTW evaluation is the National Beneficiary Survey (NBS). In the NBS, we

collect information that is not available from our administrative records from a representative sample of

SSI and OASDI disability beneficiaries. Key items of interest in the NBS include work attitudes and workrelated activities, health and functional status, education, access to health insurance, household composition, and sources of income. We implemented the first four rounds between 2004 and 2010, but delayed

the fourth round of the NBS survey to observe the 2008 changes to the TTW program. We will conduct

three additional rounds in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Our TTW evaluation contractor is currently completing its analyses for the seventh TTW evaluation

report. Three papers for this report are complete, and our contractor will complete the remaining reports in

fiscal year 2013. In the first completed report, we updated Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

(WIPA) project activities and examined the outcomes achieved by WIPA enrollees following their enrollment. We found that 70 percent of beneficiaries who enrolled in WIPA services between October 2009 and

March 2010 were employed or actively seeking employment at the time of enrollment. Fifty-five percent

of these beneficiaries had earnings at some point during the 9 to 15 months following service entry, and

about 16 percent experienced a reduction in Social Security disability benefits because of earnings during

at least one month in the nine-month period following WIPA program entry. We also found that receipt of

more intensive WIPA services (as measured by hours of service) was significantly associated with a

greater likelihood of using our work incentives; having earnings in 2010; experiencing an increase in earnings between 2009 and 2010; and having benefits suspended or terminated because of earnings during at

least one month between WIPA program entry and the end of December 2010.
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In the second completed paper from the seventh report, we examined the longer-term changes in the TTW

program following our implementation of the 2008 regulations. Since that time, we find the number of

beneficiaries served under the milestone-outcome payment system has increased markedly and has continued to grow. We also find that the proportion of employment networks (ENs) that are actively taking Tickets has nearly doubled, from 28 percent in July 2008 to 52 percent in December 2010 as we have focused

on limiting the pool of ENs to those that have the potential to be actively involved in the program and to

promote its goals. However, beneficiary participation rates in TTW have increased only slightly since the

introduction of the revised regulations, and Partnership Plus cases (where the State VR agency serves the

beneficiary and then hands them off to an EN for long-term case management) make up a tiny proportion

of all Ticket assignments. The increase in milestone-outcome assignments, particularly at a time when

assignments to the other payment systems were stagnant, suggests that we were successful in making

milestone-outcome more enticing to both ENs and State VR agencies.

In the third completed paper from the seventh report, we present the sampling design and data collection

activities for Round 4 (2010) of the NBS. It also provides descriptive statistics on working-age individuals

receiving SSI and SSDI, based on the nationally representative sample from the 2010 NBS. This paper

updates the descriptive statistics from the appendices to earlier TTW evaluation reports. We do not analyze the NBS data, but rather provide a data resource to support the analyses conducted in other papers for

the seventh report.

Other researchers and policy analysts within the agency and at other Federal agencies and academic institutions, use the DAF and the NBS for general disability research and analysis not limited to TTW participants. Examples of these papers include: interactions between SSDI and SSI for new beneficiaries with

disabilities (Longitudinal Patterns of Participation in the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs for People with Disabilities, by Kalman Rupp and Gerald F. Riley); the

differences in employment outcomes between young participants (ages 18 to 30) with psychiatric disabilities versus young participants with other disabilities (Employment Experiences of Young Medicaid Buy-In

Participants with Psychiatric Disabilities, by Jody Schimmel, Su Liu, and Sarah Croake); and work activities and employment outcomes for our beneficiaries with disabilities in seven articles in a special issue of

the Social Security Bulletin (Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 71 No. 3).

e. Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE)

In 2004, we awarded funds to 41 service providers nationwide to provide outreach services to people who

are homeless. We trained these service providers and gave them training materials so they could help individuals who are homeless with our disability application process. In October 2007, Westat, the evaluation

contractor, released the final evaluation report. We are currently conducting a longitudinal evaluation of

HOPE. Findings from this analysis will be available later in 2013.

f. Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD)

The YTD established partnerships to improve employment outcomes for youths age 14-25 who receive (or

could receive) SSI or OASDI payments based on their own disability. The YTD projects included service

delivery systems and a broad array of services and supports to assist youth with disabilities in their transition from school to employment and to help them gain economic self-sufficiency.

YTD began in 2003, with seven projects in six States. In 2007, we piloted new projects in five States,

choosing three new projects in Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia. These three projects joined three

(Colorado and two New York) of the original seven projects in a random assignment study. This study will

produce the first evaluation of the empirical evidence of the effects of youth transition programs and modified SSI work incentives.
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The modified SSI program rules that we tested under the YTD included five elements.

 • Despite the finding of a continuing disability review or an age-18 medical redetermination that an

individual is no longer eligible for benefits, we continued paying benefits for as long as the individual

continued to be a YTD participant.

 • The student earned income exclusion (section 1612(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (Act)), which

normally applies only to students who are age 21 or younger, applied to all participants who met

school attendance requirements.

 • The general earned-income exclusions (section 1612(b)(4) of the Act) permit the exclusion of $65

plus half of what an individual earns in excess of $65. For the YTD, we excluded the first $65 plus

three-fourths of any additional earnings.

 • We extended the SSI program’s treatment of federally supported Individual Development Accounts

(IDA) to IDAs that do not involve federal funds.

 • Ordinarily, a plan to achieve self-support (PASS) must specify an employment goal that refers to getting a particular kind of job or starting a particular business. For the YTD, we approved an otherwise

satisfactory PASS that had either career exploration or postsecondary education as its goal. Income

and assets that an individual used for PASS expenses did not count when we determined SSI eligibility and payment amount.

The YTD projects in Colorado and New York ended in 2010. The Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia

projects ended in 2012. The 12-month, post-random-assignment reports for all the sites are finalized and

have been released to the public. A comprehensive final report of the six random assignment projects is

due in August 2014.

The YTD projects in the Bronx, West Virginia, and Florida had a positive effect on employment during the

first year after random assignment. The Miami and West Virginia YTD programs also had positive impacts

on youth income. Program group members in Miami earned an average of $895 during the year after they

entered the evaluation, which was $306 more than control group members earned, a difference of 52 percent. Youth in the West Virginia program group earned an average of $1,559 in the year after they entered

the evaluation, which was 50 percent more than the $1,035 earned by control group members. In both

sites, the average total income (earnings plus disability benefits) of program group members during the

year after entering the evaluation exceeded that of control group members.

The 12-month reports for the three Phase 2 projects also indicate that treatment group participants are

receiving more employment-promoting services, benefits counseling and are more likely to use work

incentives than the control group.

These research findings will help us assess the implications of such impacts for the Social Security trust

funds and Federal income tax revenues. 

g. TANF/SSI Disability Transition Project

Both welfare agencies and the federal disability system seek to support low-income people with disabilities and help them become more independent. However, the two systems often have differing missions and

organization, definitions of disability, operational and financial issues, and work rules and incentives,

making it challenging for the TANF and SSI programs to work together. TANF clients who apply for SSI

may confront conflicting messages from TANF agencies regarding work requirements and benefit eligibility. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Social Security Advisory Board recommended that
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SSA and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) work together to address serious concerns in

Congress among stakeholders that the TANF and SSI lacked the coordination necessary to serve the public

effectively and efficiently.

In response to these concerns, and to improve our understanding of the relationship between the TANF

and SSI populations and programs, our Office of Program Development and Research and ACF launched

the TANF-SSI Disability Transition Project in October 2008. Working with ACF, TANF agencies in California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, select counties in these States, and the evaluation

firm MDRC, we are analyzing program data, examining State and county program coordination, and pilottesting program innovations for TANF clients with disabilities. SSA, ACF, TANF agencies, and lowincome individuals with disabilities and their families would benefit from more effective and efficient services—moving toward employment when possible, making informed decisions about applying for SSI,

receiving SSI as quickly as possible if eligible, and reducing administrative costs. The project will conclude in 2013 with final reports on data analysis, program coordination, pilot test observations, and

options for a larger demonstration project that builds on these findings.

h. Occupational Information System (OIS)

We require information about work in the national economy in order to decide whether the majority of

claimants are eligible for disability benefits according to our policy. The information must include a broad

range of occupations that are widely available in the U.S. economy and descriptions of the physical and

mental requirements of these occupations. For almost 50 years, we have relied upon the Department of

Labor's (DOL) Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and its companion volume, the Selected Characteristics of Occupations, as our sources of occupational information, but the DOL stopped updating these

resources about 20 years ago, and the information is becoming obsolete. The DOL replaced the DOT with

the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), but our research found that its descriptions of the physical demands of work do not conform to our policy requirements. We researched other existing OIS, but

could not identify one that meets our unique disability adjudication needs.

We signed an interagency agreement with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for part of fiscal year 2012

and all of fiscal year 2013 to test the feasibility of using the National Compensation Survey platform to

collect updated occupational information that we can use under our current policy. The occupational data

the BLS is collecting includes critical information about exertional and nonexertional job requirements, a

measurement of how long workers typically take to become proficient in jobs (similar to Specific Vocational Preparation in the DOT) and the environmental factors to which workers are exposed. The BLS is

conducting the data collection testing in three phases and has successfully completed the first two. Phase

three will be completed by the end of the fiscal year. At the completion of each test phase, BLS evaluates

results, issues a report to us, and meets with us to discuss issues. The BLS then modifies the data collection protocol based on their analysis and their discussions with us. Each test phase will expand the number

and variety of occupations sampled, and BLS will train additional BLS field economists for each phase in

preparation for production data collection.

We are also working with the DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to research whether

it is possible to incorporate elements of O*NET with the BLS data to form our new OIS. In September

2012, we held an introductory meeting with ETA staff. Although O*NET does not describe physical job

demands at the level of detail our program requires, we believe that we can use elements of O*NET in disability adjudication. We plan to continue meeting with the ETA staff.

In April, we formed a workgroup to develop a small list of data elements that will describe the mental and

cognitive demands of jobs in order to facilitate uniformity in deciding claims with mental allegations.

Workgroup members include contracted psychological and psychiatric consultants from the Office of
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Medical and Vocational Expertise, disability policy experts from SSA stakeholder components, and representatives from BLS and ETA. By the end of the fiscal year, the workgroup will make a recommendation,

and the BLS could begin testing collecting of the mental/cognitive data elements in fiscal year 2014. 

i. Homeless with Schizophrenia Presumptive Disability (HSPD) Pilot Demonstration

In the HSPD Pilot Demonstration, we are partnering with clinicians and case managers in California from

the Health Services Agencies of San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties, the Department of Public Health

of the City of San Francisco, and the Department of Mental Health of Los Angeles County who are

actively engaged in assisting their patients to navigate the SSI application process. We believe that they

have established relationships with patients who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder who are also known to be homeless. The goal is to improve the economic well-being of adult

applicants who are homeless and have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

There are two main features of the program. We have developed the Schizophrenia Presumptive Disability

Recommendation Form for clinicians to complete, which certifies that the medical evidence establishes

that the applicant’s mental impairment meets the severity of Listing 12.03 Schizophrenic, Paranoid and

Other Psychotic Disorders. The clinicians and case managers submit the form, along with the supporting

medical evidence, as well as assist with completing the online and paper applications for SSI benefits.

The second feature of the pilot demonstration is that we will pay up to six months of SSI payments to the

applicant based on presumptive disability (PD), which will provide economic relief to the applicant while

we gather the medical evidence and process the necessary application to make a formal finding of disability. Applicants are not required to pay back PD SSI payments if we ultimately deny their applications, as

long as we did not deny the applications for nonmedical reasons. There must be a high degree of probability that the applicant is disabled when we confer PD SSI payments. Our field offices generally make PD

findings only for specific disability categories, which do not include schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. This pilot demonstration allows us to create special units in our San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and certain Los Angeles field offices to make PD findings for applicants who are homeless, have a diagnosis of

schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and whose application includes a Schizophrenia Presumptive

Disability Recommendation Form completed by an acceptable medical source certifying the diagnosis and

the severity of the applicant’s impairment.

In our evaluation of the demonstration, we will examine whether the program improves the administration

of the SSI application and determination process. We will also examine whether providing the application

assistance and the PD improves outcomes for individuals who are homeless and who have schizophrenia

or schizoaffective disorder.

We began fielding the pilot in spring 2012. The community partners have since identified 58 individuals to

assist with the SSI application process. All but one of these applicants received presumptive disability

payments. Of the 58 applicants, 41 received favorable determinations that they are eligible for SSI, 15 are

awaiting their determinations, one was denied for immigration reasons, and one was ineligible for the PD,

but eligible for SSI.
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2. Bibliography of Recent Publications

Altshuler, Norma, Sarah Prenovitz, Bonnie O’Day, and Gina Livermore. “Provider Experiences Under the

Revised Ticket to Work Regulations.” Final Report: Mathematica Policy Research, 2011.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Council on Children with Disabilities. “Supplemental Security Income

(SSI) for Children and Youth with Disabilities.” Pediatrics 124, 6 (December 2009): 1702-1709.

Aron, Laudan Y. and Pamela Loprest. Meeting the Needs of Children with Disabilities. Washington, DC:

The Urban Institute Press, 2007.

Autor, David, Amitabh Chandra, and Mark Duggan. Public Health Expenditures on the Working Age Disabled: Assessing Medicare and Medicaid Utilization of SSDI and SSI Recipients. National Bureau of Economic Research SSA Project No. NB09-08, September 2011.

Balkus, Richard, L. Scott Muller, Mark Nadel, and Michael Wiseman. “The Challenge of Growth: Public

Disability Benefits in the United States.” In Sick Societies? Trends in Disability Benefits in Post-Industrial

Welfare States, edited by Peter A. Kemp, Annika Sunden, and Bernhard Bakker Tauritz. Geneva, Switzerland: International Social Security Association, 2006.

Balkus, Richard, James Sears, Susan Wilschke, and Bernard Wixon. “Simplifying the Supplemental Security Income Program: Options for Eliminating the Counting of In-Kind Support and Maintenance.” Social

Security Bulletin 68, 4 (2009): 1-25.

Balkus, Richard and Susan Wilschke. “Annual Wage Trends for Supplemental Security Income Recipients.” Social Security Bulletin 65, 2 (2003/2004): 49-58.

Battaglia, Carol. “SSI and Medicaid Recipients Have a Responsibility to Report Changes that Can Affect

Benefits.” Exceptional Parent 37, 2 (February 2007): 47-48.

Benitez-Silva, Hugo, Moshe Buchinsky, and John Rust. How Large are the Classification Errors in the

Social Security Disability Award Process? National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No.

10219, January 2004.

Ben-Shalom, Yonatan, and David Stapleton. The Work Experiences of New SSI Beneficiaries: A Longitudinal Perspective. Center for Studying Disability Policy Issue Brief Number 12-06. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. November 2012.

Ben-Shalom, Yonatan, David Stapleton, Dawn Phelps, and Maura Bardos. Longitudinal Statistics for New

Supplemental Security Income Beneficiaries. Final Report. Report prepared for the Social Security

Administration. November 2012.

Berry, Hugh G. and Leslie J. Caplan. “Employment and Earnings Growth Among Transition-Age Supplemental Security Income Program Participants.” Journal of Disability Policy Studies 21, 3 (December

2010): 152-159.

Berry, Hugh G., Michael Ward, and Leslie Caplan. “Self-Determination and Access to Postsecondary Education in Transitioning Youths Receiving Supplemental Security Income Benefits.” Career Development

and Transition for Exceptional Individuals 35, 2 (2012): 68-75.
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Bond, Gary R, Haiyi Xie, and Robert E. Drake. “Can SSDI and SSI Beneficiaries with Mental Illness Benefit from Evidence-Based Supported Employment?” Psychiatric Services 58, 11 (November 2007): 1412-

1420.

Burkhauser, Richard V. and Mary C. Daly. The Declining Work and Welfare of People with Disabilities:

What Went Wrong and a Strategy for Change. Washington, DC: AEI Press, 2011.

________. The Returns to Work for Children Leaving the SSI-Disabled Children Program. Financial Literacy Center Working Paper No. WR-802-SSA, A Joint Center of the RAND Corporation, Dartmouth College and the Wharton School, October 2010.

________. Testing Education Tools to Demonstrate Returns to Work for Children Aging Out of the SSIDisabled Children Program. Financial Literacy Center Working Paper No. WR-896-SSA, A Joint Center

of the RAND Corporation, Dartmouth College and the Wharton School, November 2011.

Burkhauser, Richard V., Mary C. Daly, and Philip R. de Jong. Curing the Dutch Disease: Lessons for

United States Disability Policy. Michigan Retirement Research Center Working Paper No. 2008-188, University of Michigan Retirement Research Center, September 2008.

________. The Role of Disability Transfer Programs on the Economic Well Being of Working-Age People

with Disabilities. Michigan Retirement Research Center Working Paper No. UM08-Q2, University of

Michigan Retirement Research Center, October 2008.

Burkhauser, Richard V., Mary C. Daly, Jeff Larrimore, and Joyce Kwok. The Transformation of Who is

Expected to Work in the United States and How it Changed the Lives of Single Mothers and People with

Disabilities. Michigan Retirement Research Center Working Paper No. 2008-187, University of Michigan

Retirement Research Center, September 2008.

Camacho, Christa Bucks, and Jeffrey Hemmeter. “Linking Youth Transition Support Services: Results

from Two Demonstration Projects.” Social Security Bulletin 73, 1 (2013): 59-71.

Chatterji, Pinka and Ellen Meara. Health and Labor Market Consequences of Eliminating Federal Disability Benefits for Substance Abusers. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 13407,

September 2007.

Coe, Norma B. and Matthew S. Rutledge. What is the Long-Term Impact of Zebley on Adult and Child

Outcomes? Center for Retirement Research Working Paper No. 2013-3, Center for Retirement Research at

Boston College. January 2013.

Compton, Charles Michael. An Exploration of the Attitudes, Values and Beliefs of Young SSI/DI Beneficiaries At or Near the Completion of Postsecondary Education Regarding Self-Sustaining Employment.

D.E. dissertation, San Diego State University, 2010.

Congressional Budget Office. 2012. Supplemental Security Income: An Overview. Washington, DC: CBO.

Croke, Erin E. and Ashleigh B. Thompson. “Person Centered Planning in a Transition Program for Bronx

Youth with Disabilities.” Child and Youth Services Review 33 (2011): 810-819.

Davies, Paul S. and Melissa M. Favreault. Interactions between Social Security Reform and the Supplemental Security Income for the Aged. Center for Retirement Research Working Paper No. 2004-02, Center

for Retirement Research at Boston College, February 2004.
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Davies, Paul S. and Michael J. Greenwood. Welfare Reform and Immigrant Participation in the Supplemental Security Income Program. Michigan Retirement Research Center Working Paper No. 2004-087,

University of Michigan Retirement Research Center, September 2004.

Davies, Paul S. and Jeffrey Hemmeter. “Supplemental Security Income Recipients Affected by Hurricanes

Katrina and Rita: An Analysis of Two Years of Administrative Data,” Population and Environment – Special Issue on Demographic Dynamics and Natural Disasters: Learning from Katrina and Rita 31(1-3),

(2010): 87-120.

Davies, Paul S. and Kalman Rupp. “An Overview of the National Survey of SSI Children and Families

and Related Products.” Social Security Bulletin 66, 2 (2005/2006): 7-20.

Davies, Paul S., Kalman Rupp, and Alexander Strand. “The Potential of the SSI Program to Fight Poverty

among the Poorest Elderly.” Journal of Aging and Social Policy 16, 1 (2004): 21-42.

Davies, Paul S., Kalman Rupp and David Wittenburg. “A Life-Cycle Perspective on the Transition to

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Stapleton, David C., and Frank H. Martin. Vocational Rehabilitation on the Road to Social Security Disability: Longitudinal Statistics from Matched Administrative Data. Michigan Retirement Research Center

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Stapleton, David, Jody Schimmel, and Miriam Loewenberg. “Time that Beneficiaries Spend Off the Rolls

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Strand, Alexander and Kalman Rupp. “Disabled Workers and the Indexing of Social Security Benefits.”

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Swartz, James A., Jim Baumohl, and Arthur J. Lurigio. “Termination of Supplemental Security Income

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Szymendera, Scott. CRS Issue Statement on Disability Benefits. Washington, DC: Library of Congress,

Congressional Research Service Report No. IS40283, January 2010.

________. Potential Effect of Marriage on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Eligibility and Benefits.

Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service Report No. RL33675, January

2008.

________. Social Security Administration: Suspension of Benefits for Fugitive Felons. Washington, DC:

Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service Report No. RS22355, December 2005.

________. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Proposed

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Congressional Research Service Report No. RL33179, April 2006.

Szymendera, Scott and Carol D. Davis. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Benefit Changes for California Residents, 2006 and 2007. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service

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Thornton, Craig. Can the Ticket to Work Program Be Self-Financing? Final Report. Report prepared for

the Social Security Administration. April 2012.

Thornton, Craig, Thomas Fraker, Gina Livermore, David Stapleton, Bonnie O’Day, Tim Silva, Emily

Sama Martin, John Kregel, and Debra Wright. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program: Implementation

Experience During the Second Two Years of Operation (2003-2004). Report prepared for the Social Security Administration, January 2006. 

Thornton, Craig, Gina Livermore, Thomas Fraker, David Stapleton, Bonnie O’Day, David Wittenburg,

Robert Weathers, Nanette Goodman, Tim Silva, Emily Sama Martin, Jesse Gregory, Debra Wright, and

Arif Mamun. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work: Program Assessment of Post-Rollout Implementation and

Early Impacts. Report prepared under contract to the Office of Disability and Income Security Programs,

Social Security Administration, May 2007. 

Thornton, Craig, Gina Livermore, David Stapleton, John Kregel, Tim Silva, Bonnie O’Day, Thomas

Fraker, W. Grant Revell, Jr., Heather Schroeder, and Meredith Edwards. Evaluation of the Ticket to Work

Program: Initial Evaluation Report. Report prepared under contract to the Office of Disability and Income

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Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Advice Report to Congress and the Commissioner of

the Social Security Administration: The Crisis in EN Participation—Blue Print for Action. Washington,

DC: Social Security Administration, January 2004.

Trenkamp, Brad and Michael Wiseman. “The Food Stamp Program and Supplemental Security Income.”

Social Security Bulletin 67, 4 (2007): 71-87.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, No.

12 Estimates of Supplemental Security Income Eligibility for Children in Out-of-Home Placements.

Research Brief. Washington, DC: Administration for Children and Families, February 2008.

U.S. Government Accountability Office. Highlights of a Forum: Actions that Could Increase Work Participation for Adults with Disabilities. GAO-10-812SP, 2010.
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U.S. Government Accountability Office. Modernizing SSA Disability Programs: Preliminary Observations on Updates of Medical and Occupational Criteria. GAO-12-511T, 2012.

________. Modernizing SSA Disability Programs: Progress Made, but Key Efforts Warrant More Management Focus. GAO-12-420, 2012.

________. Social Security Disability: Management of Disability Claims Workload Will Require Comprehensive Planning. Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Social Security and Income Security and Family Support, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives. GAO-10-667T, 2010.

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________. SSA Disability Programs: Progress and Challenges Related to Modernizing. GAO-12-891T,

2012.

________. SSA Disability Representatives: Fee Payment Changes Show Promise, but Eligibility Criteria

and Representative Overpayments Require Further Monitoring. Report to Congressional Committees.

GAO-08-5, 2007.

________. SSA Has Taken Steps to Prevent and Detect Overpayments, but Additional Actions Could be

Taken to Improve Oversight. GAO-13-109, 2012.

________. Students with Disabilities: Better Federal Coordination Could Lessen Challenges in the Transition from High School. GAO-12-594, 2012.

________. Supplemental Security Income: Better Management Oversight Needed for Children's Benefits.

GAO-12-497, 2012.

________. Supplemental Security Income: Sustained Management Attention Needed to Address Residency

Violations. Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Ways and Means.

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U.S. Social Security Administration. State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients. SSA Pub. No. 13-

11975, Annual Publication of the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics.

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Publication No. 13-11831, Office of Policy, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, August 2006.

Wamhoff, Steve and Michael Wiseman. “The TANF/SSI Connection.” Social Security Bulletin 66, 4

(2005/2006): 21-36.

Weathers, Robert R. II., Gerard Walter, Sara Schley, John Hennessey, Jeffrey Hemmeter, and Richard V.

Burkhauser. “How Postsecondary Education Improves Adult Outcomes for Supplemental Security Income

Children with Severe Hearing Impairments.” Social Security Bulletin 67, 2 (2007): 101-131.

Weaver, Robert D. and Ruthanne L. Hackman. “A New Era for Legal Immigrants?: Rethinking Title IV of

the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.” Journal of Policy Practice 8, 1

(2009): 54-68.

Weiner, Barbara. “Protecting SSI Benefits for Elderly and Disabled Refugees.” Human Rights: Journal of

the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities 31, 2 (Spring 2004): 11-12.

Wilschke, Susan. How Many SSI Recipients Live with Other Recipients? Policy Brief No. 2004-03. Washington, DC: Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy, Office of Policy, Social Security Administration, June 2004.

Wilschke, Susan and Richard Balkus. Child Support Payments and the SSI Program. Policy Brief No.

2004-02. Washington, DC: Office of Disability and Income Assistance Policy, Office of Policy, Social

Security Administration, February 2004.

Wiseman, Michael. Supplemental Security Income for the Second Decade. Prepared for the Conference

“Reducing Poverty and Economic Distress after ARRA: The Most Promising Approaches.” Washington,

DC: January 2010.

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August 2010. Available at www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=412266.

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Wittenburg, David. A Health-Conscious Safety Net? Health Problems and Program Use among LowIncome Adults with Disabilities. New Federalism: National Survey of America’s Families No. B-62.

Washington, DC: Urban Institute, September 2004. Available at www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=311065. 

Wittenburg, David and Melissa Favreault. Safety Net or Tangled Web? An Overview of Programs and Services for Adults with Disabilities. Assessing the New Federalism, Occasional Paper Number 68. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. November 2003.

Wittenburg, David and Pamela J. Loprest. “Early Transition Experiences of Transition-Age Child SSI

Recipients: New Evidence from the National Survey of Children and Families.” Journal of Disability Policy Studies 18, 3 (2007): 176-187. 
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Wittenburg, David and Pamela J. Loprest. “Policy Options for Assisting Child SSI Recipients in Transition.” Prepared for the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. October 2003. Available at www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=410872.

Wittenburg, David and Sandi Nelson. A Guide to Disability Statistics from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. February 2006.

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H. GLOSSARY

Administrative Expenses (or Costs). Expenses incurred by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in

administering the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The Department of the Treasury initially

pays such administrative expenses from the OASI and DI Trust Funds as provided in section 201(g)(1) of

the Social Security Act. The Department of the Treasury subsequently reimburses the trust funds for such

expenditures, including any interest lost, from the General Fund of the Treasury.

Affidavit of Support. A contract under which a United States citizen or legal resident agrees to provide

support to maintain (i.e., to sponsor) an immigrant as a condition of the immigrant’s admission into the

United States.

Aged. Individuals aged 65 or older.

Aid—Old-Age Assistance (OAA), Aid to the Blind (AB), and Aid to the Permanently and Totally

Disabled (APTD). The former Federal-State programs of adult cash assistance under Titles I, X, and XVI

respectively. The SSI program replaced these programs in the 50 States and the District of Columbia in

1974. The United States Department of Health and Human Services administers these programs in Guam,

the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence. A noncitizen lawfully accorded the privilege of

residing permanently in the United States. Such individuals may obtain immigrant visas overseas from the

Department of State, or adjusted to permanent resident status while living in the United States by the U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Appeal Rights Process. Includes administrative appeals and judicial review. The administrative review

process followed by SSA in determining an individual’s rights under the Social Security Act typically consists of several steps: (1) reconsideration; (2) hearings; and (3) Appeals Council review. Individuals dissatisfied with the outcome of the administrative review process may request judicial review by filing a

complaint in the U.S. District Court. Each step in the process must be requested within certain time periods. SSA introduced a modification of this process in 10 States for disability applications filed October 1,

1999 and later. Under this revised process claimants file appeals of initial disability denials directly with

the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, thereby eliminating the reconsideration step. The

options for appeal beyond the hearing level are unchanged. 

Assistance Based on Need. Assistance provided by certain programs which use income as a factor of eligibility. The assistance must be funded wholly by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a combination of such jurisdictions.

Assumptions. Values relating to future trends in certain key factors that affect the eligibility for SSI benefits and the level of such SSI payments. Demographic assumptions include fertility, mortality, net immigration, marriage, and divorce. Economic assumptions include unemployment rates, average earnings,

inflation, interest rates, and productivity. Program-specific assumptions include rates of application for

and new receipt of various SSI benefits and rates of termination of SSI benefits. The assumptions underlying the projections presented in this report are consistent with the intermediate assumptions of the 2013

OASDI Trustees Report.

Asylee. A noncitizen already in the United States or at a port-of-entry who is granted asylum in the United

States. Asylum may be granted to an individual who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country

of nationality, or to seek the protection of that country, because of persecution (or a well-founded fear of

persecution) based on the noncitizen’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group,

or political opinion.
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Attendant Care Services. Services (including personal care assistance) paid for from Federal, State or

local funds and provided by a paid attendant required to assist with work-related or personal functions. 

Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase. The annual increase in SSI Federal benefit rates, effective for January of the current year, which reflects the change in the cost of living. In general, the benefit increase

equals the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers

(CPI-W) measured from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. If

there is no increase in the CPI-W, there is no cost-of-living benefit increase.

Award. An administrative determination that an individual is eligible for an SSI benefit.

Blind. For purposes of the SSI program, the law considers an individual to be blind if he or she has 20/

200 or less vision in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens, has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less,

or met the October 1972 State definition of blindness and received benefits under the State’s former program of Aid to the Blind in December 1973.

Blind Work Expenses (BWE). Any expenses incurred by a blind individual that are reasonably attributable to earning income. The BWE provision permits the exclusion of these expenses from the earned

income of a blind individual. (See “Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)” for the related exclusions for disabled individuals.)

Burial Funds. A comprehensive term that for SSI purposes includes revocable burial contracts, trusts and

other burial arrangements (including amounts paid on installment sales contracts for burial spaces), cash,

accounts, or other financial instruments with a definite cash value clearly designated for the individual’s

burial expenses.

Child. A blind or disabled individual who is neither married nor the head of household and who is: (1)

under age 18; or (2) under the age of 22 and a student regularly attending a school, college or university, or

a course of vocational or technical training designed to prepare him or her for gainful employment. A

child 18 or older is subject to the adult definition of disability and is not subject to parental deeming. 

Comparable Severity. The phrase in the Social Security Act that defined disability for children prior to

the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193).

Under prior law, an individual under age 18 would have been considered disabled if he or she had an

impairment of comparable severity to one that would disable an adult.

CPI-Indexed Dollars. Dollar amounts adjusted by the CPI to the value of the dollar in a particular year.

Consumer Price Index (CPI). An official measure of inflation in consumer prices. In this report, all references to the CPI relate to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers

(CPI-W). The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, publishes historical values for the CPI-W.

Continuing Disability Review (CDR). An evaluation of an individual’s impairment(s) to determine

whether the person is still disabled within the meaning of the law for purposes of eligibility for SSI and

OASDI benefits.

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). See “Automatic Cost-of-Living Increase.”

Countable Income. An individual’s income less all applicable exclusions. This amount is an important

factor in SSI eligibility and payment amount determination.

Countable Resources. The amount of resources after all exclusions. This amount is an important factor in

an individual’s or couple’s SSI eligibility determination. A resource may be cash or other liquid assets or

any real or personal property that an individual (or his or her spouse) owns and could convert to cash to be

used for support and maintenance. Title XVI stipulates what items are to be excluded from resources. 
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Current Dollars. Amounts expressed in nominal dollars with no adjustment for inflationary changes in

the value of the dollar over time.

Current-Payment Status. Status of an SSI recipient when we pay a benefit to that person for a given

month. SSI benefits for a month are usually payable on the first day of that month.

Dedicated Account. An account in a financial institution established for a disabled or blind child to contain retroactive SSI payments that exceed six times the Federal benefit rate (FBR) plus State supplementation (certain smaller retroactive payments may be placed in the account once it is established).

Representative payees may only use dedicated account funds for the following allowable expenses: 

 • Education or job skills training;

 • Personal needs assistance;

 • Special equipment or housing modifications;

 • Medical treatment;

 • Therapy or rehabilitation; or

 • Other items or services that the Commissioner deems appropriate—

provided that the expense benefits the child and, in the case of the last five items, is related to the child’s

impairment. A representative payee must repay money from a dedicated account that is knowingly spent

on items or services that are not allowable. We exclude these accounts from resources and the interest

earned is excluded from income.

Deeming. The process by which we consider the income and resources of an ineligible individual to be

available to a recipient when determining eligibility or payment amount. Deeming applies only between:

 • The living-with ineligible spouse and the eligible spouse;

 • The living-with ineligible parent(s) and eligible child(ren) under age 18; and

 • The immigration sponsors of some noncitizens and the noncitizen(s).

Demographic Assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Direct Express® Debit Card. Direct Express® is a low-cost prepaid debit card program sponsored by the

U.S. Department of the Treasury that is available to OASDI and SSI beneficiaries through Comerica Bank.

Beneficiaries can access their OASDI and SSI benefits by making purchases, paying bills, and getting cash

at thousands of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and retail locations using the Direct Express® debit

card.

Disability. For individuals aged 18 or older, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by

reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in

death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. An individual under age 18 must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked

and severe functional limitations and that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be

expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. 

Disability Determination Services (DDS). Federally funded State agencies that make disability determinations for SSA.
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Disaster Assistance. Assistance from Federal programs and agencies, joint Federal and State programs,

State or local government programs, and private organizations (e.g., the Red Cross) provided to victims of

a Presidentially declared disaster.

Disposal of Resources for Less Than Fair Market Value. Transferring resources, either liquid, real, or

personal property, for less than the resources are worth.

Earned Income. For SSI purposes we consider wages, net earnings from self-employment, remuneration

for work in a sheltered workshop, royalties on published work, and honoraria for services rendered to be

earned income. The distinction between earned and unearned income is significant because we apply more

generous exclusions to earned income.

Earned Income Exclusion. The first $65 of a recipient’s monthly earnings and one-half of the earnings in

excess of $65 are excluded in computing an SSI benefit.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A special tax credit that reduces the Federal tax liability of certain

low-income working taxpayers. This tax credit may or may not result in a payment to the taxpayer.

Economic Assumptions. See “Assumptions.”

Effective Date of Application. An application for SSI benefits is effective on the first day of the month

following the date on which the application is filed, or on which the individual first becomes eligible,

whichever is later. 

Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). A low-cost account, available at participating financial institutions,

for recipients of certain Federal payments. Once a beneficiary opens an ETA, his or her Federal payment

will be directly deposited into that account.

Eligible Couple. Two persons married and living together in the same household or living together as

married, both being aged, blind, or disabled and meeting all qualifications, including filing an application

for SSI.

Eligible Individual. An aged, blind or disabled person who meets all the requirements for eligibility

under the SSI program, including filing an application.

Emergency Advance Payments (EAP). Special SSI payments of up to 1 month of SSI benefits that are

available only at the time of initial application to those individuals who present strong evidence that they:

(1) qualify for an SSI payment in the current or following month by meeting the qualifications for SSI eligibility (age, disability, blindness, citizenship or alien status as applicable); and (2) face a financial emergency due to insufficient income or resources to meet an immediate need for food, clothing, shelter or

medical care. We recover from subsequent benefit payments the amount of the EAP an individual

receives. If an individual who receives an EAP is found ineligible for SSI because he or she is not blind or

disabled, the amount of the EAP is waived; if the individual is found ineligible for other reasons, we treat

the amount of the EAP as an overpayment. 

Essential Person. An individual whose presence in the home of an SSI recipient who was transferred

from a State assistance program to SSI in January 1974 results in an increase in the FBR of the SSI recipient. The essential person must have been: (1) living in the household of the SSI recipient in December

1973 and continuously thereafter; (2) never eligible for SSI; (3) not eligible for State assistance in December 1973; and (4) taken into account when the SSI recipient’s need for State assistance was determined in

December 1973.

Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). The standard used in computing the amount of Federal SSI benefits for

individuals and couples. The FBRs increase annually to reflect increases in the cost of living. (See table

IV.A2.)
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Fiscal Year (FY). The accounting year of the United States Government. Since 1976, a fiscal year is the

12-month period ending September 30. For example, fiscal year 2013 began October 1, 2012 and will end

September 30, 2013.

Food Stamps. See “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

General Fund of the Treasury. Funds held by the Treasury of the United States, other than receipts collected for a specific purpose (such as Social Security) and maintained in a separate account for that purpose.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The total dollar value of all goods and services produced by labor and

property located in the United States, regardless of who supplies the labor or property. 

Home Energy Assistance. A Federal Government block grant program that provides funds to States for

energy assistance (including weatherization) to low-income households. This assistance may be provided

by a variety of agencies (e.g., State or local welfare offices, community action agencies, special energy

offices, etc.) and may be known by a variety of names (e.g., Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Project Safe, etc.).

Household. A group of two or more individuals who use a single dwelling unit separate from other individuals’ living units as their primary quarters for living and eating.

Household of Another. We consider an individual to be living in the household of another when the individual lives with others, does not own or rent the shelter, and does not pay a pro rata share of the household’s food and shelter expenses. We do not consider an individual who provides all of his or her own

food, or lives in a public assistance household or in noninstitutional care, to be living in the household of

another. We consider an individual who is determined to be living in the household of another to be receiving in-kind support and maintenance from that household, and we reduce his or her SSI benefit by onethird of the FBR. 

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE). The provision that permits the exclusion from earnings

of the costs of items and services needed in order for a disabled individual to work, paid for by the individual, and necessarily incurred by that individual because of a physical or mental impairment. We exclude

these IRWEs from earnings when determining substantial gainful activity (SGA) or computing eligibility

and ongoing SSI monthly payments. (See “Blind Work Expenses (BWE)” for the related exclusions for

blind individuals.)

Income. See—“Earned Income,” “In-Kind Income” and “Unearned Income.”

Individual Development Account (IDA). A savings account that low-income individuals, including SSI

recipients, may establish in order to save for purchasing a first home, meeting the costs of post-secondary

education, or capitalizing a business. An individual's deposits into an IDA receive matching funds by a

sponsoring nonprofit organization, or State or local government participating in the program.

Ineligible Spouse. The husband or wife of an eligible individual who is not eligible for SSI benefits.

Inflation. An increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods, which results in an

increase in the general price level.
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Infrequent or Irregular Income. Income received either infrequently or irregularly that we can exclude

from the determination of an individual’s income. Infrequent income1 is income an individual has not

received more than once in a calendar quarter from a single source.2 Irregular income is income that an

individual could not reasonably expect to receive. In any given quarter, we exclude up to $30 of earned

(infrequent or irregular) and $60 of unearned (infrequent or irregular) income.

Initial Determination. A determination SSA makes about an individual’s eligibility for benefits or about

any other matter that gives that person a right to further administrative or judicial review.

In-Kind Income. Income that is not cash, but is food or shelter or something an individual can use to

obtain food or shelter.

In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM). Unearned income in the form of food or shelter.

Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR). The process used to reimburse a State for basic assistance

provided by the State to a claimant either while the claimant’s application for SSI was pending or during

the period in which the claimant’s SSI benefits were suspended. SSA may reimburse a State from the

claimant’s retroactive SSI payment if: (1) the State has an agreement with SSA to participate in IAR; 

(2) the claimant has given SSA written authorization to reimburse the State from the retroactive payments;

and (3) we find the claimant eligible for SSI benefits or for reinstatement of his or her benefits for the

same period of suspense. 

Living With. A required condition for parent-to-child and spouse-to-spouse deeming. Deeming of income

and resources occurs if an eligible child lives with his or her ineligible parent(s) or an eligible individual

lives with his or her ineligible spouse. 

Maintenance-of-Effort. See “Passalong.”

Mandatory State Supplementation. See “State Supplementation.”

Means-Testing. The measuring of income and resources against specified amounts as eligibility factors

for certain assistance benefits. SSI is a means-tested benefit program.

Medicaid. The program authorized under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which provides medical

assistance to certain low-income individuals and families and certain disabled and medically needy individuals. Medicaid is administered by the States with support from the Federal Government in the form of

matching grants. The Federal Government provides guidelines to the States for formulating their programs. As a result of the flexibility of these guidelines, Medicaid programs vary widely among the States.

Medicaid Facility. A medical treatment facility such as a hospital, extended care facility, nursing home,

or intermediate care facility, where Medicaid pays more than 50 percent of the cost of a person’s care.

Medical Treatment Facility. An institution or that part of an institution licensed or otherwise approved

by a Federal, State, or local government to provide inpatient medical care and services.

Medicare. A nationwide, Federally-administered health insurance program authorized in 1965 under Title

XVIII of the Social Security Act to cover the cost of hospitalization, medical care, and some related services for most people age 65 and over. In 1972, lawmakers extended coverage to people receiving Social

Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for two years and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Effective July 2001, people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis became Medicare-eligible during their

first 24 months of receiving SSDI payments. In 2010, people exposed to environmental health hazards

1 We modified the definition of infrequent income in final rules published on August 9, 2006 (71 FR 45375). Previously, we defined infrequent income as

income not received more than once a quarter from a single source.

2 Also, infrequent income is income that an individual has not received in two consecutive months, regardless of whether these payments occur in different

calendar quarters.
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within areas under a corresponding emergency declaration became Medicare-eligible. Traditional Medicare consists of two separate but coordinated programs—Hospital Insurance (HI, also known as Part A)

and Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI, also known as Part B). Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital

care, inpatient skilled nursing care, and hospice care. Part B helps pay for doctors’ services and other medical expenses, and supplies not covered by Part A. In 2006, prescription drug coverage (also known as Part

D) was added. Almost all persons who are aged 65 and over or disabled and who are entitled to Part A are

eligible to enroll in Part B and Part D on a voluntary basis by paying monthly premiums.

New Recipient. An SSI recipient in the first month of SSI payment receipt.

Noncitizen. An individual who is not a United States citizen. Also referred to in welfare and immigration

law as an alien. (See “Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence,” “Asylee,” “Parolee” and “Refugee.”)

Nonqualified Alien. A noncitizen who is not in a qualified alien category for SSI eligibility purposes. 

OASDI. The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance programs established under Title II of the

Social Security Act.

One-Third Reduction. The reduction of an individual’s SSI payment that occurs when an individual is

living in the household of another. Instead of determining the actual dollar value of in-kind support and

maintenance, we count one-third of the Federal benefit rate as additional income to an individual living in

another person’s household for a full calendar month and receiving both food and shelter from the household.

Optional State Supplementation. See “State Supplementation.”

Overpayment. The payment of more than the amount due for any period, including any amounts of Federally-administered State supplementation payments.

Parent. For SSI purposes, the natural mother or father of the child, or the person who legally adopted the

child, or the stepparent who lives in the same household as the child.

Parolee. A noncitizen who appears to be inadmissible to the inspecting USCIS officer but is allowed to

enter the United States because of emergency humanitarian conditions or the noncitizen’s entry is determined to be in the public interest. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the United States and

confers temporary admission status only, requiring parolees to leave when the conditions supporting their

parole cease to exist.

Passalong. A requirement that States must meet in order to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. Any

State making supplementary payments (see “State Supplementation”) after June 30, 1977, must continue

making such payments and must pass along any cost-of-living increase to the Federal benefit rate. Two

methods are available to ensure that cost-of-living increases are passed on to the recipients.

 • Payment Levels Method—States may not lower their supplementary payment for any of the living

arrangement categories below their adjusted March 1983 levels. The adjusted level is the State’s

March 1983 payment level minus that portion of the July 1983 increase in the Federal benefit rate that

was not attributable to the increase in the cost of living (i.e., $10.30 per individual and $15.40 per

couple).

 • Total Expenditures Method—State expenditures for supplementary payments in the current calendar

year must at least equal expenditures in the preceding calendar year. If expenditures are less in the

current year (shortfall), the State must increase expenditures in the next calendar year by an amount at

least equal to the shortfall.
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Past-Due Benefits. The total amount of SSI payments accumulated because of a favorable administrative

or judicial determination or decision, up to but not including the month the determination is made, and

excluding any corresponding windfall offset amounts.

Personal Needs Allowance. The amount allowed for an institutionalized recipient’s personal needs (currently $30). If an SSI recipient is in a Medicaid facility, the law requires that the SSI benefit be used only

for the recipient’s personal needs (i.e., that the institution cannot retain the benefit in repayment of the cost

of the individual’s care).

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A plan that permits a disabled or blind SSI recipient to set aside

income (earned or unearned) or resources for a work goal. The income and resources set aside under a

PASS are used to pay for goods or services needed to reach that goal, such as education, vocational training, starting a business, or purchasing work-related equipment. We exclude income and resources set aside

under a PASS from SSI income and resources. SSA must approve an individual’s PASS.

Presumptive Disability or Blindness. A finding that SSI payments may be made before SSA makes a

formal determination as to whether or not the individual is disabled or blind. The individual’s impairment

must be apparent and meet specified criteria. In addition, the individual must meet all other requirements

for eligibility. These payments may be made for no more than 6 months. The presumptive payments will

not be considered overpayments if SSA later finds that the individual is not blind or disabled.

Property Essential to Self-Support (PESS). The real and personal property used in a trade or business,

nonbusiness income-producing property and property used to produce goods or services essential to the

individual’s daily activities. We may exclude PESS from resources under certain conditions.

Proration of Benefits. The method of computing payment amounts in months in which the individual

reacquires eligibility after a month or more of ineligibility. In such months, we will pay an individual’s SSI

benefit according to the number of days in the month that he or she is eligible, beginning with the first day

in the month on which he or she meets all eligibility requirements. In order to determine the benefit payable in a prorated month SSA counts the number of days an individual is eligible in the month. We then

multiply the amount of the individual’s regular monthly payment by the number of days for which he or

she is eligible for benefits. Finally, we divide that figure by the number of days in the month for which the

benefit is being determined. The resulting amount is the amount due for the prorated month. The statute

eliminated proration for months of initial eligibility for all claims filed August 22, 1996 and later.

Public Educational Institution. An institution operated by or controlled by the Federal Government, a

State, or a political subdivision of a State, such as a city or county, for the primary purpose of providing

educational or vocational training. 

Public Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. A shelter for homeless individuals that provides food, a

place to sleep, and some services.

Public Institution. An institution operated by or controlled by the Federal Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county. 

Publicly Operated Community Residence. A facility that provides food and shelter and some other service such as social services, help with personal living activities, training in socialization and life skills, or

occasional or incidental medical or remedial care. In order to be publicly operated it must be operated or

controlled by the Federal Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State such as a city or county.

The facility must serve no more than 16 residents and must be located in a community setting.

Qualified Alien. An individual who is:

 • Lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
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146

 • A refugee under section 207 of the INA;

 • An asylee under section 208 of the INA;

 • A person whose deportation is withheld under section 243(h) of the INA as in effect prior to April 1,

1997, or whose removal has been withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INA;

 • A parolee under section 212(d)(5) of the INA for at least 1 year;

 • A person granted conditional entry under section 203(a)(7) of the INA as in effect prior to

April 1, 1980;

 • A Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined by Federal statute, including section 501(e) of the Refugee

Education Assistance Act of 1980;

 — Former parolees and other aliens who became permanent residents under the Cuban Adjustment

Act of 1966;

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and

Control Act (IRCA) of 1986;

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act;

or

 — Aliens who became permanent residents under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act;

or

 • A certain alien, or an alien parent of a child, or an alien child of a parent who:

 — Has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse, parent, or certain other family members the alien, parent or child lived with;

 — Is not living in the same household with the abusive individual;

 — Has been determined to need SSI because of this abuse; and

 — Has a determination from the USCIS for a certain change in status.

Qualifying Quarter of Earnings. Credit for a requisite amount of earnings assigned to a calendar quarter

for the purpose of determining the SSI eligibility of a lawfully admitted permanent resident.

Quarter of Coverage. The crediting of coverage needed for insured status under the Social Security program. In 2013, a worker receives one quarter of coverage (up to four a year) for each $1,160 of annual

earnings reported from employment or self-employment. The amount of earnings required for a quarter of

coverage is subject to annual automatic increases in proportion to increases in average wages.

Recipient. A person who is receiving SSI payments based on an evaluation of his or her countable income

and resources, age, and disability status.

Reconsideration. The first step in the administrative review process if an individual is dissatisfied with

SSA’s initial determination, unless it is one of ten States that has eliminated reconsideration. See “Appeal

Rights Process.”

Redetermination. A periodic review of eligibility for SSI recipients to ensure that requirements for eligibility continue to be met and that payment levels are in the proper amount. During redeterminations we
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review income, resources, living arrangements and other factors. In the redetermination process we do not

review the determination of disability. 

Refugee. A noncitizen outside of his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to

his or her country of nationality or to seek the protection of that country because of persecution (or a wellfounded fear of persecution) based on the noncitizen’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Unlike asylees, refugees apply for and receive this status prior to

entry into the United States.

Relocation Assistance. A type of assistance provided to persons displaced by projects that acquire real

property. Examples of types of reimbursement, allowances, and help provided are:

 • Moving expenses;

 • Reimbursement for losses of tangible property;

 • Displacement allowances;

 • Amounts required to replace a dwelling that exceed the agency’s acquisition cost for the prior dwelling;

 • Rental expenses for displaced tenants;

 • Amounts for down payments on replacement housing for tenants who decide to buy;

 • Mortgage insurance through Federal programs with waiver of requirements that borrowers must usually meet; and

 • Replacement housing.

Representative Payee. A person who receives SSI payments on behalf of an SSI recipient. SSA will pay

benefits to a representative payee on behalf of an individual 18 years old or older when it appears that such

method of payment will be in the interest of the individual. A representative payee will be appointed if the

individual is legally incompetent or mentally or physically incapable of managing or directing the management of his or her benefits. Also, in general, if the individual is under the age of 18, a representative

payee will be appointed. The law and regulations generally require that a beneficiary under age 15 have a

representative payee.

Resident of a Public Institution. An individual who can receive substantially all of his or her food and

shelter while living in a public institution is considered a resident of the public institution. Generally, an

individual who is a resident of a public institution throughout a month is ineligible for SSI.

Resident of the United States. A person who has established an actual dwelling place within the geographical limits of the United States with the intent to continue to live in the United States. (See “United

States.”)

Resource. The cash or other liquid assets or any real or personal property of an individual (or his or

her spouse) that he or she could use or could convert to cash to be used for his or her support and maintenance.

Retroactive Payments. The SSI payments made in a month later than the month or months in which they

were due.

Retrospective Monthly Accounting (RMA). The calculation method used in the SSI program to determine an individual’s eligibility for each month. RMA has two parts: (1) an eligibility determination; and

(2) a payment computation. If the individual is ineligible based on the current month’s factors (including
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148

the current month’s countable income), no payment is due and we make no payment. If the individual is

eligible based on the current month’s factors, we compute the payment. The benefit for a month is generally based on the individual’s countable income in the second month prior to the current month. However,

at the start of a period of eligibility or re-eligibility, we determine the amount of benefits for both the first

and second months using the income received in the first month.

Section 1619(a) Status. The special SSI cash benefits provided to disabled individuals who lose eligibility

for SSI benefits under the regular rules because they have earnings at the level ordinarily considered substantial gainful activity.

Section 1619(b) Status. The special SSI recipient status for Medicaid purposes provided to working disabled or blind individuals when their earnings make them ineligible for regular or special cash payments.

SNAP. See “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

Social Security Act. Provisions of the law governing most operations of the Social Security programs.

The original Social Security Act is Public Law 74-271, enacted August 14, 1935. With subsequent amendments, the Social Security Act consists of 21 titles, of which three have been repealed. In particular five

titles of the Act authorized the following programs:

 • Title II of the Act authorized the OASDI program;

 • Title VIII of the Act authorized special benefits for certain World War II veterans;

 • Title XVI of the Act authorized the SSI program;

 • Title XVIII of the Act authorized the Medicare program; and

 • Title XIX of the Act authorized the Medicaid program.

Social Security Area Population. The population comprised of: (i) residents of the 50 States and the District of Columbia (adjusted for net census undercount); (ii) civilian residents of Puerto Rico, the Virgin

Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands; (iii) Federal civilian employees and

persons in the Armed Forces abroad and their dependents; (iv) crew members of merchant vessels; and (v)

all other U.S. citizens abroad.

Sponsor. An individual who has signed an affidavit of support for a noncitizen entering the country.

State Supplementation. The payments made by a State or one of its political subdivisions to aged, blind,

or disabled individuals.

 • Administration—The governmental unit responsible for administering State supplementation payments may be either a State or local agency or SSA. Under State administration, the State must absorb

both program benefits and administrative costs. Under Federal administration, the State is responsible

for the program benefits and, for 2013, pays a $11.12 administrative fee for each benefit paid.

 • Mandatory Supplementation—The supplementary payments made only to beneficiaries converted to

the SSI program from former State assistance programs at the inception of the SSI program. The law

requires mandatory minimum State supplementation payments to maintain the December 1972 payment levels that these beneficiaries received under the former State assistance programs. The law also

requires States to provide the supplementation to maintain their Federal matching funds for Medicaid.

 • Optional Supplementation—The payments made by States to help persons meet needs not fully covered by Federal SSI benefits. The State determines whether it will make a payment, to whom, and in

what amount. These supplements, paid on a regular basis, are intended to cover such items as food,

shelter, clothing, utilities, and other daily necessities. Some States provide optional supplementary
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2013 SSI Annual Report

payments to all persons eligible for SSI benefits, while others may limit them to certain SSI recipients

such as the blind or residents of domiciliary-care facilities, or they may extend payments to persons

ineligible for SSI because of SSI income.

Statutory Blindness. See “Blind.”

Student. An individual who is regularly attending a school, college or university, or a course of vocational

or technical training designed to prepare him or her for gainful employment.

Student Earned Income Exclusion. An earned income exclusion for a student under age 22 with certain

limitations established by regulations. For 2013, we exclude up to $1,730 earned income in a month, but

no more than $6,960 per year.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The level of work activity used to establish disability. A finding of

disability requires that a person be unable to engage in SGA. For 2013, a person who is not statutorily

blind and is earning more than $1,040 a month (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily

considered to be engaging in SGA.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),

under cooperative Federal-State agreements, issues Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

benefits in the form of paper food coupons (commonly known as food stamps) and through electronic benefit transfer, to provide nutrition for low-income families. Recipients can use food stamps only to buy food

at stores authorized by USDA to accept them. Prior to October 1, 2008, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was known as the Federal Food Stamp Program.

Supplemental Security Record (SSR). The computerized database maintained by SSA and containing

identifying information, income, resources and other eligibility factors, for all SSI recipients. The SSR

includes the history of SSI payments made to an individual.

Suspension. An ineligibility status that causes the nonpayment of benefits for a period of anywhere from 1

to 12 months for any of a number of reasons such as income or resources over allowable levels, absence

from the United States, residence in a public institution, etc. Benefits can resume without reapplication,

when all requirements for entitlement are again met. Suspense that lasts more than 12 months (24 months

for individuals who were made ineligible because of their spouses or parent being called to active military

duty) results in a termination of the SSI record. (Once a record is terminated, reapplication is necessary.)

TANF. See “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).”

Temporary Absence. An individual’s physical move from his or her permanent place of residence that

does not constitute a change in living arrangement. In general, a temporary absence is an absence from a

permanent residence that is not intended to, and does not, exceed a full calendar month. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The State grant program of assistance for needy

families established by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

(Public Law 104-193). TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program.

Termination. For an individual, cessation of benefits, which can occur for a number of reasons, including

death, medical improvement, or a period of suspension lasting longer than 12 months. 

Terminations. As used in Section IV, the net reduction (after accounting for new entrants) in the number

of SSI recipients in current-payment status during a period. 

Ticket to Work Program. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 established

a voluntary Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program (Ticket to Work program) under which a blind or

disabled beneficiary may obtain vocational rehabilitation (VR), employment and other support services
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150

from a qualified private or public provider referred to as an “employment network,” or from a State VR

agency. 

Trusts. A legal arrangement involving property and ownership interests. Generally, we consider property

held in a trust to be a resource for SSI purposes if the assets of the trust could be used for the benefit of the

individual or spouse. 

Unearned Income. The income that is not earned income. Unearned income may be in cash or in-kind.

Some examples of unearned income are:

 • Annuities, pensions, and other periodic payments;

 • Retirement and disability benefits;

 • Veterans’, workers’, and unemployment compensation;

 • Alimony and support payments;

 • Dividends, interest, and certain royalties; and

 • Rents. 

United States. For purposes of the SSI program, the United States consists of the 50 States, the District of

Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The process of restoring individuals with disabilities to full capabilities.

VR services are designed to provide an individual with the training or other services that are needed to

return to work, to begin working, or to enter a new line of work.

Windfall Offset. A provision to prevent a person from receiving monthly SSI and OASDI benefits in

excess of the total amount that would have been paid if the OASDI benefits had been paid when they were

due rather than retroactively. 

Work Incentives. Provisions in the SSI program that are intended to act as incentives for disabled or blind

individuals to work. Examples of work incentives under the SSI program are:

 • Earned income exclusions;

 • Impairment related work expenses;

 • Blind work expenses;

 • Plan to achieve self-support;

 • Section 1619 benefits; and

 • Ticket to Work program.
1

SOCIAL SECURITY ADVISORY BOARD

STATEMENT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM

_____________________________________________________________________________

Public Law 104-193 requires that members of the Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB) be 

given an opportunity, either individually or jointly, to include their views in the Social Security 

Administration’s annual report to the President and Congress on the Supplemental Security 

Income (SSI) program. We have asked the Social Security Administration (SSA) to include in 

this year’s annual report the SSAB concerns regarding the SSI children’s program and request 

SSA conduct a comprehensive review of the program as described in this statement before 

implementing any changes.

Over the last year the Board has reviewed and reported on the disability programs administered 

by SSA with particular emphasis on the adult programs and return to work efforts. The disability 

programs are by far the most complex and challenging workload for the agency and as such,

two-thirds of its administrative budget is spent on issues related to these programs. While the 

retirement and survivor programs serve a greater number of people, their decision making 

process is relatively straight forward and constant. In contrast, the disability decision making 

process involves collecting a myriad of documentation including information from the claimant, 

medical records, functional evaluations and expert opinions, to assess whether the person meets 

the statutory definition of disability and then evaluate the likelihood that the claimant will 

continue to meet that definition.

There are two distinct disability programs administered by SSA. The Social Security Disability 

Insurance (SSDI) program, funded through payroll taxes paid by both employers and employees, 

and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a means tested assistance program, funded through 

general revenues, for low income aged, blind and disabled individuals. Both the Social Security 

trustees and the Congressional Budget Office project that beginning in 2016 the Disability 

Insurance Trust Fund will only have enough to pay approximately eighty percent of disability 

insurance benefits. Congress will soon have to consider whether it should simply reallocate trust 

fund money as it has done in the past or tie any reallocation to programmatic changes in an effort 

to strengthen the program which has been criticized for its subjective decision making and long 

delays. Although the insolvency issues facing the SSDI program are not at issue for beneficiaries 

receiving SSI, as their benefits have no connection to the trust fund, policy changes to the SSDI 

program could affect beneficiaries in the SSI program. 

Within the SSI program, there is a program for low income children with disabilities; this is the 

focus of this statement. We believe the issues and concerns pertaining to the children’s program 

are unique and should be researched, evaluated and addressed separately from the SSDI 

program. Following is an historical overview of the SSI program including the important policy 
2

changes that have occurred in evaluating disability for low income children as well as some 

discussion about how to approach any proposed changes. 

The History of the SSI Program

On October 30, 1972, Public Law 92-603, the Social Security Amendments of 1972, was signed 

into law. At the time it was probably the longest single piece of legislation that Congress had 

adopted. Medicare was expanded to cover individuals with disabilities who had been receiving 

benefits for two years, the waiting period for disability benefits was reduced, and the new 

Federal SSI program for the low income aged, blind and disabled adults and children was 

established.

The legislative journey of Public Law 92-603 began years earlier. In the original 1935 Social 

Security Act, programs were introduced for needy aged and blind individuals; in 1950, a 

program for low income individuals with disabilities was added. These three programs were 

collectively called the "adult categories" and were administered by State and local governments 

with partial Federal funding. Over the years, the State programs became increasingly complex 

and inconsistent. There were several different definitions of disability, as many as 1,350 

administrative agencies were involved, and benefit levels varied by more than 300 percent from 

State to State. These discrepancies provoked calls for program reforms. 

In August 1969, President Nixon outlined a Family Assistance Plan, which included a negative 

Federal income tax program which would provide an income floor to the families of the 

unemployed and working poor on the condition that they find work or enroll in job training. This 

represented a big departure from then existing welfare policies. Under the Nixon proposals, 

eligibility requirements would no longer be based solely on income and asset levels and the 

program would be run through the Federal tax system rather than administered by State and local 

governments. 

The House of Representatives began a series of public hearings on the plan and on June 22, 

1971, passed H.R. 1, a modified version of the President’s recommendations. The bill moved to 

the Senate for consideration but languished for more than a year. Finally in late September 1972, 

an amendment outlining the SSI program passed and H.R. 1 followed. In conference, all family 

welfare provisions were dropped and all existing public assistance programs were repealed and 

replaced with the newly established Federal SSI program. SSI authorized cash benefits for aged, 

blind, and disabled individuals and introduced a new assistance program for children under 18 

years old who had a disability of comparable severity to adult recipients. 
3

The Social Security Administration was chosen to administer the new program and convert over 

3 million people from State welfare programs to the new Federal SSI program. SSA had an 

established reputation for successful administration of existing social insurance programs and 

with its network of field offices and experience in processing claims and maintaining records, it 

seemed the most reliable choice.

Implementation and Growth of the SSI Program for Children

The agency had a little over 14 months to prepare for the roll out of this brand new nationwide 

program. The SSI disability program for adults incorporated many of the features of the SSDI 

program but there was no parallel children’s program and little in the legislative record to 

provide guidance on the purpose and goals of a program for children. In fact, there was 

fundamental disagreement about the basis for a children’s program. 

The 1972 House Committee on Ways and Means report which accompanied the legislation that 

established SSI stated:

... disabled children who live in low-income households are certainly among the most 

disadvantaged of all Americans and they are deserving of special assistance in order to help 

them become self-supporting members of our society. Making it possible for disabled 

children to get benefits under this program, if it is to their advantage, rather than under the 

program for families with children, would be appropriate because their needs are often 

greater than those of non-disabled children. The bill accordingly, would include disabled 

children under the new program. 

However, the Senate Committee on Finance did not agree with the House and noted in its report: 

The House justified its inclusion of disabled children under age 18 under aid to the disabled, 

if it is to their advantage, rather than under the program for families with children, on the 

grounds that their needs are often greater than those of non-disabled children. The needs of 

disabled children however, are generally greater only in the area of health care expenses. In 

all but the two States that do not have Medicaid programs, children now eligible for cash 

assistance are covered under existing State medical assistance programs. Disabled children’s 

needs for food, clothing and shelter are usually no greater than the needs of non-disabled 

children.

1

 1

The National Commission on Childhood Disability, Report to Congress, October 1995 

http://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/SSI/ChildhoodDisabilityReport.html
4

A House/Senate conference ultimately reconciled the two versions of the bill. But among the 

hundreds of issues, the children’s program received little attention and the 67-page conference 

report failed to explain how the issue was resolved or define disability for a child.2

For an adult, the definition of disability was the same under the SSI program as it was for SSDI: 

[The] inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically 

determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which 

has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

3

 For a 

child, an individual under age 18, eligibility was based on having a disability of comparable 

severity to that of an adult, defined as older than 18. While the evaluation for adults involved a 5 

step sequential evaluation4 which included an analysis of their functional ability, the evaluation 

stopped at step three for children, meaning if they did not have an impairment severe enough to 

meet a listing, they were not found to be disabled. 

Subsequently, Congress directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create eligibility 

standards that would establish disabling impairments in children that were of “comparable 

severity” to a disabling impairment in an adult. The agency began working on a listing of 

medical impairments that were unique to children but by 1976 the listings had not been 

published. The agency was criticized by Congress for delays in publishing the impairments 

which were necessary regulatory guidance for the State agencies. During floor debate in the 

Senate in 1976,5 one Senator noted: 

Of particular concern is the current status of children in this [SSI] program. It has been 4 

years since the Congress enacted the SSI program, and there are still no adequate guidelines 

which would enable State agencies to determine how to apply the program to children.

Individual States, receiving no direction from the Federal Government, have been adopting 

their own widely varying guidelines.6

Section 501(b) of Pub. L. 94–566 was added to the Unemployment Compensation Amendments 

which required SSA to publish criteria for childhood disability determinations within 120 days. 

The agency complied and a separate listing of impairments, designated as Part B of Appendix 1 

following 20 C.F.R. § 416.985, was devised for use in determining a child’s disability. 

 2 “Cost Soar for Children's Disability Program; How 26 Words Cost the Taxpayers Billions in New Entitlement Payments” Bob Woodward & 

Benjamin Weiser, The Washington Post 4 February1994, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1994-02-08/html/CREC-1994-02-08-pt1-

PgH42.htm

3 The Social Security Act §223 (d)(1); 42 U.S.C. 423(d)(1)(A) http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title02/0223.htm

4 The Social Security Act §223 (d)(1); 42 U.S.C. 423(d)(1)(B) (2)(A) http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title02/0223.htm (1) Is the individual 

engaging in substantial gainful activity? (2) Is the impairment severe and does it meet the duration requirement? (3) Does the impairment meet, or 

equal in severity, one of the medical listings? (4) Can the individual perform his or her past work? (5) Can the individual (considering his or her 

age, education, and prior work) perform any other work? 

5 Pub.L. 94-566 Title V Misc Provisions Sec. 501 (Oct. 20, 1976) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-90/pdf/STATUTE-90-Pg2667.pdf

6 122 Cong. Rec. 33301 (1976) 
5

The Effects of Court Decisions 

In the years that followed implementation of the SSI program, the evaluation of disability cases 

became the subject of litigation in the courts. In the City of New York v. Heckler,7 the Second 

Court of Appeals upheld the district court finding that SSA used an improper standard in 

evaluating the impairments of young workers with mental illness. After a series of hearings 

Congress responded by requiring SSA to rewrite the listings of mental disorders within 120 

days.8 The House Report noted that serious questions had been raised about the old listings, 

observing that even "the Secretary has determined that a full scale re-evaluation of the Listings 

and current procedures is necessary. . .”9 The agency complied and issued new listings for 

analyzing mental disorders in adults.10 However, the children’s listing for mental disorders 

remained the same for almost six years, despite the similarity in the analysis between the adult’s 

and children’s listings for mental disorders. 

Finally, in December 1990, in accordance with the Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984, the 

agency issued new regulations revising the medical listings to include new medical standards for 

assessing mental impairments in children. The regulations incorporated functional criteria into 

the children’s listings and were intended to reflect medical advancements in the treatment of 

mental illness. Behavioral impairments such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and 

learning disorders, were now included in the listings. 

That same month, the Supreme Court issued its seminal decision in Sullivan v. Zebley.11 The 

case challenged the comparable severity analysis used in children’s claims. The court held that a 

disability analysis based solely on the medical listings was inconsistent with the statutory 

standard of comparable severity because there was no individualized functional analysis as 

contemplated by the statute and applied to the analysis in adult disability cases. The decision 

prompted new regulations, increased outreach efforts, and the review of thousands of prior 

decisions in children cases.

 7 742 F. 2d 729 (1984)

8 Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98-460 §5(a), 98 Stat. 1801, 42 U.S.C. 5421 note; Amicus Brief of the 

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, on behalf of Brian Zebley http://old.povertylaw.org/poverty-lawlibrary/case/43100/43127/43127c.pdf

9 House Report No. 98-619, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. at 15, 1984

10 50 Fed. Reg. 35038 (Aug. 28, 1985)

11 493 U.S. 521 (1990)
6

Post Zebley

To comply with Zebley, SSA was required to reopen denials in children’s SSI disability cases

back to 1980. SSA estimated that the workload would include re-adjudicating about 550,000 

claims, along with an ongoing workload of approximately 35,000 additional cases per year.

12

Understanding that issuing new regulations would take time interim standards were established. 

SSA used the Zebley decision as an opportunity to consider other changes and invited childhood 

and pediatric experts to help develop the best criteria for evaluating disability in children. One of 

the recommendations was an Individualized Functional Assessment which focused on behavioral

problems as a type of disorder.13

SSA published the revised final rules for determining disability in children in 1993; the new 

standards included:

• a new step to determine if a child's impairment had more than a minimal effect on his or her 

ability to function (equivalent to the severity step found in the adult rules),

• a new approach to satisfying the Listing of Impairments for children, called "functional 

equivalence," and

• an Individualized Functional Assessment for evaluating a child's impairment beyond the 

medical listings to parallel the vocational steps applied in adult cases and to satisfy the 

"comparable severity" criterion14

In the early 1990s, there was a spike in disability allowances for children. The review of claims 

denied prior to the Zebley decision certainly contributed to the increase, but other factors 

included the new listings on mental impairments, the rising number of children in poverty and 

SSA’s outreach efforts.15 There was particular concern directed at the children that were 

awarded benefits because of ADHD and other impairments seen as “behavior problems.” The 

General Accounting Office (GAO) was asked to conduct a study concerning the growth in 

awards to children. They reviewed the disability decisions in the two years preceding the Zebley

 12 Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 70 No. 3, 2010, by Carolyn Puckett, Administering Social Security: Challenges yesterday and Today – 1990s, 

Complying with Sullivan v. Zebley http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p27.html; noting that it took SSA a little over 3 years to 

process the readjudications.

13 SSA Oral history collections: Interview with John Ritter Larry DeWitt. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ritter6.html.

14 Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 70 No. 3, 2010, by Carolyn Puckett, Administering Social Security: Challenges yesterday and Today – 1990s, 

Complying with Sullivan v. Zebley http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p27.html

15 Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 70 No. 3, 2010, by Carolyn Puckett, Administering Social Security: Challenges yesterday and Today – 1990s, 

Complying with Sullivan v. Zebley - SSA worked with 150 national organizations to reach approximately 450,000 children whose claims might be 

affected by the court decision. The agency also placed more than 125,000 posters in English and Spanish in offices of State and local government 

agencies and nonprofit organizations that provided services to disabled children. http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p27.html
7

decision and the two years after the Zebley decision. GAO issued its report in September 1994, 

finding:

While much of the attention has focused on the Sullivan v. Zebley Supreme Court

decision as the cause of this growth, our analysis shows a more complicated picture. 

Although the new functional assessment process established by Zebley added 87,900 

children to the disability rolls through 1992 who previously would have been denied 

benefits, this new process only accounts for about 30 percent of all awards made since it 

was implemented. In contrast, 70 percent of all awards went to children whose 

impairments were severe enough to qualify on the basis of SSA's medical standards 

alone, without the need for a functional assessment. Thus, most of the children who 

received new awards would have qualified for them even without the functional 

assessment process mandated by the Zebley decision.16

GAO did find that the revised and expanded medical standards for childhood mental 

impairments accounted for much of the growth in the program. Awards based on the mental 

impairments (primarily mental retardation) almost tripled while awards for children with 

physical impairments was nearly double during the same time period.17

During this period, there were numerous news reports, both in local and national press about

children being coached by parents to misbehave in order to qualify for SSI.18 ABC’s Primetime 

Live aired an examination of the SSI program which featured a former SSA doctor who claimed 

that less than thirty percent of children on SSI really deserved benefits although no supporting 

evidence was provided for her claim.19

 16 “Rapid Rise in Children on SSI Disability Rolls Follows New Regulations” Report to Congressional Requesters, Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. 

Accountability Office, September 1994 http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/220229.pdf

17 “Rapid Rise in Children on SSI Disability Rolls Follows New Regulations” Report to Congressional Requesters, Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. 

Accountability Office, September 1994 http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/220229.pdf

18 SSI: “The Black Hole of the Welfare State” Christopher Wright, Cato Policy Analysis No. 224, 27 April 1995 

http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/ssi-black-hole-welfare-state describes “Gaming the childhood disability system has become an 

epidemic.” “How Americans Game the $400 Billion-a-Year ‘Disability-Industrial Complex’” Avik Roy, Forbes, 8 April 2013, 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2013/04/08/how-americans-game-the-200-billion-a-year-disability-industrial-complex/

“Disability Dilemma, Court Decision Meant More Aid, Questions,” Neil D. Rosenberg, The Milwaukee Journal 30 May 1993, 

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19930530&id=mKIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xiwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4766,4395105; “Cost Soar 

for Children's Disability Program; How 26 Words Cost the Taxpayers Billions in New Entitlement Payments” Bob Woodward & Benjamin 

Weiser, The Washington Post 4 February1994, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1994-02-08/html/CREC-1994-02-08-pt1-PgH42.htm; 

“Lambert Wants Analysis of ‘Crazy Checks” Jerry Dean, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 16 February 1994; “Disability Grants for Children Fuel 

Welfare Debate; Critics Say Vague Standards Lead to Soaring Cost, Widespread Abuse” Charles M. Sennott, Boston Globe, 12 May 1994;; “A 

Media Crusade Gone Haywire” Christopher M. Wright, Forbes Media Critic, September 1995, 

http://www.clsphila.org/files/Forbes%20Media%20Critic%201995%20A%20Media%20Crusade.pdf; “Administering Social Security Challenges 

Yesterday and Today” Social Security Bulletin 2010 Vol. 70 No. 3 http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p27.html; SSA Oral history 

collections: Interview with John Ritter Larry DeWitt. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ritter6.html

19 ABC’s PrimeTime Live 13, October 1994, 

http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tvshow.aspx?tvobjectid=191723&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=847498
8

In a March 1995 report GAO addressed the allegation of parental coaching in a Report to 

Congress and found:

Because coaching is difficult to detect, the extent of coaching cannot be

measured with much confidence. In recent studies, SSA and the HHS IG

reviewed case files and identified scant evidence of coaching or

malingering. In the rare instances where they found evidence of possible

coaching or malingering, most of the claimants had been denied benefits

anyway.20

In March 1996, GAO again considered the allegations of coaching by parents, and examined 

cases from two initiatives conducted by SSA to identify cases of possible parental coaching. 

GAO found21

:

Both of these initiatives identified few cases of suspected coaching and 

very few of the children involved received SSI benefits....The DDS 

initiative identified 1,232 cases in which coaching was suspected or alleged. 

Only 77 of these cases resulted in awards. Most cases were included because

the child's performance during psychological tests or on a comprehensive 

examination raised questions about the child's impairment. The quality reviewers 

returned very few cases to the DDSs for additional evidence or for reversal of a 

DDS' decision to award or deny benefits.

In response to these reports, Congress once again considered how children’s disability cases 

were being analyzed and in The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation 

Act of 1996 (PRWORA),

22 Congress redefined the disability analysis in children’s cases. The 

comparable severity standard was replaced by the standard that a child is considered disabled if 

he or she has a medically-determinable impairment which results in "marked and severe" 

functional limitations and which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be 

expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. SSA was directed to 

eliminate references to maladaptive behavior in the domain of personal/behavioral function in 

the listing of impairments for children and to discontinue the use of Individualized Functional 

Assessments in evaluating a child's disability. SSA developed the final rules in 2000 with 

assistance from outside experts and advocates; the rules “delink” functional equivalence from 

 20 “SSA New Functional Assessments for Children Raise Eligibility Questions” Report to Congressional Requesters. Washington D.C.: U.S. 

Govt. Accountability Office, March 1995, http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/220953.pdf

21 “SSA Initiatives to Identify Coaching” Report to Congressional Requesters. Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 5 March 

1996, http://www.gao.gov/assets/90/85342.pdf;

22 Summary of Welfare Reforms made by Pub.Law 104-193 The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act and 

Associated Legislation November 6, 1996, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-104WPRT27305/html/CPRT-104WPRT27305.htm
9

specific listings and establish a new standard of listing-level severity based on “marked” or 

“extreme” limitation.

Further, the rules established a “whole child” approach to disability evaluation that considers 

how the child functions compared to other children of the same age without impairments, 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week, “at home, at school, and in the community.” They consider all 

indicia of a child’s functioning and any limitations, including the level of assistance the child 

needs within age-appropriate expectations. In addition to evidence from medical examinations, 

examples of such evidence include special education placement and accommodations, 

medications, adaptive devices, therapies, one-to-one assistance, supportive/structured settings,

and information from parents, teachers, and others who know the child. 

To date this new definition has withstood court challenges. However, a similar round of media 

reports of abuse and families “gaming the system” has cropped up.23 There has also been 

concern about the growth of the children’s disability program,24 and the increased number of 

children receiving SSI benefits due to mental impairments, which comprise a growing majority 

of all child beneficiaries.25

The Current Make Up of the Program

Given the attention to the program in media reports, congressional hearings, GAO studies and 

internal agency reviews, a review of the data regarding the SSI program for children may help 

clarify some of the issues. As the following chart shows, the percentage of children receiving 

SSI disability benefits is small in comparison to the total number of all beneficiaries paid by the 

programs administered by SSA. 

 23 “Profiting From a Childs Illiteracy” Nicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times, 7, December 2012, 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/opinion/sunday/kristof-profiting-from-a-childs-illiteracy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0; “A Legacy of 

Unintended Side Effects” Patricia Wen, The Boston Globe, (3 part series) 12-14 December 2010, 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/12/12/with_ssi_program_a_legacy_of_unintended_side_effects; “Unfit for Work, 

The Startling Rise of Disability in America” Chana Joffe-Walt, NPR Planet Money, 28 March 2013, http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/; “The 

Declining Work and Welfare of People with Disabilities” Richard V. Burkhauser and Mary C. Daly, American Enterprise Institute, 2011; “The 

Future of Children” Ron Haskins, Princeton-Brookings, Spring 2012 

http://futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/docs/22_01_PolicyBrief.pdf

24“Evaluating Growth in the Supplemental Security Income Program for Disabled Children” Richard V. Burkhauser, Cornell University, Mary C. 

Daly and Brian Lucking Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, http://www.frbsf.org/economics/economists/mdaly/Evaluating-SSI-DisabledChildren.pdf

25 “Supplemental Security Income Preliminary Observations on Children with Mental Impairments” Report to Congressional Requesters, 

Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, October 2011 http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/585946.pdf; “Supplemental Security Income –

Growth and Change in Recipient Population Call for Reexamining Program” Report to Congressional Requesters, Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. 

Accountability Office July 1995, http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/221392.pdf
10

Source: Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2012 http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2012/fast_facts12.pdf

Over 56% of SSI recipients aged 65 or older received OASDI benefits. Over 56% of SSI recipients aged 65 or older received OASDI benefits, as 

did 31.3% of those aged 18-64 and 7.6% of those under age 18. (from Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2012, page 30)

Several studies have documented the correlation between poverty and disability.26 Children in 

low-income families that live in poor areas face heightened environmental risks. Those 

environments, including choices and constraints induced by poverty, may result in low birth 

weight due to poor nutrition during pregnancy and less access to health care which could result 

in the development of serious disabilities and consequently increased applications for SSI 

disability benefits. 

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP)27 in 2011 the federal poverty 

level (FPL) for a family of four was $22,350, for a family of three it was $18,530, for a family of 

two it was $14,710.

28 In 2011 there were more than 72 million children under 18 years old in the 

United States. 22 percent or 16.1 million of them lived below the federal poverty level (FPL) and 

were categorized as poor. NCCP also noted the research suggesting that families actually need an 

income level of twice the federal poverty level to meet the family’s basic needs and be 

considered a living wage. 

 26 “Disentangling the Dynamics of Family Poverty and Child Disability: Does Disability Come First?” Shirley L. Porterfield and Colleen Tracey

Working Paper No. 03-01 – 25 March 2003, Center for Social Development, 

Washington University, http://csd.wustl.edu/Publications/Documents/WP03-01.pdf; 

27 National Center for Children in Poverty – Basic Fact About Low-Income Children January 2013 

http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf

28 National Center for Children in Poverty – Basic Fact About Low-Income Children January 2013 

http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf
11

Therefore, families that earn up to 199% of the FPL are still not making a living wage and are 

categorized as low income. A living wage starts at an income equal to twice the FPL. 

Source: National Center for Children in Poverty http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf

The total percent of children that fell into the Low Income category in 2011 is about 45 percent 

of all the children living in the U.S. 

Source: National Center for Children in Poverty http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf

Low-income

45%

Above 

low-income

55%

Children by Family Income, 2011

Family Size Federal Poverty 

Limit (FPL)

Living Wage

(200 percent of FPL)

Family of Four $22,350 $44,700

Family of Three $18,530 $37,060

Family of Two $14,710 $29,420
12

Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Source: National Center for Children in Poverty http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf

Furthermore, the number of children that live in either poor or low-income families has been 

increasing over time. From 2006 to 2011, the total number of children in the U.S. increased by 

less than 1 percent, but there was a 13 percent increase in the number of children in families 

falling into the low income category and a 23 percent increase in the number of children in 

families with income below the FPL. 

Percentage change of children living in

Low-income and Poor Families, 2006–2011

2006 2011 Percent 

Change

Low Income

(less than 200% of FPL)

28,530,186 32,379,884 13%

Poor

(less than 100% of FPL)

13,078,106 16,105,863 23%

Source: National Center for Children in Poverty http://www.nccp.org/publications/pdf/text_1074.pdf

According to the Census Bureau the number of children in poverty has been increasing steadily

from approximately 16.2 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2008, and approximately 22 percent in 

both 2010 and 2011.

less than 

100% FPL

22%

100-199% 

FPL

22%

Above lowincome

55%

Family Income Further Broken Down 

by Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 2011

Low-income

 45%
13

Source: United States Census Bureau www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/historical/hstpov3.xls

As the following charts indicate, the number of SSI applications for children for the same period 

has also increased substantially from 337,000 in 2000 to 498,000 in 2011. The number of total 

recipients has increased from 844,000 in 2000 to 1.276 million in 2011, but the overall allowance 

rate has declined slightly from 43.7 in 2000 to 41.6 in 2011. 

Source: Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program 2012 - Table IV.B1.2

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSI12/IV_B_Recipients.html#856912
14

Source: Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program 2012 – Table IV.B6. 

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/ssir/SSI12/IV_B_Recipients.html#819110

What’s Next? Approaching Change in the SSI Children’s Program 

The historical record of the program suggests that changes in its laws and in the standards 

governing SSI disability adjudications were motivated by public opinion as reflected in media 

reports and court decisions in cases that challenged prior decisions. Much of the history of this 

program has been a reaction to news reports which often contain unsubstantiated anecdotes,29

court decisions and congressional mandates. It is important that the decisions we make are 

factually based. Rather than simply developing streamlined processes for the efficient 

adjudication of the claims, we first need to define the mission for this particular program; a 

program that is supposed to serve children with disabilities, who live in poverty and are reliant 

on others to provide voice to their concerns and to care for their needs. 

The following is a list of questions that we believe must be answered to identify the purpose and 

mission of the SSI children’s program. The questions posed below are the discussion points to 

begin a dialogue and a comprehensive review of the program. They are not proposals or 

recommendations; rather, they are a starting place.

 29 See Footnote 15 for list of media reports; “Better Management Oversight Needed for Children's Benefits” Report to Congressional Requester, 

Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, June 2012 http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/591872.pdf; “New Functional Assessments for 

Children Raise Eligibility Questions” Report to Congressional Requesters, Washington D.C.: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, March 1995 

http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/220953.pdf
15

1. How should we decide the criteria and where should we draw the line in determining 

which children should be considered disabled and deserving of public support and how 

should we identify those children who should be served? 

2. Is the SSI disability program adequately designed to make the nuanced determinations 

about all types of children’s disabilities? Or should the SSI program in part or in its 

entirety be relocated to a different Federal agency that has more interaction and perhaps 

more understanding of the needs and issues related to the children’s impairments and 

their functional impact? Should there be a cap on SSI benefits offered for families or for 

any group of beneficiaries living together?

3. What cash benefits and services should be provided to children with disabilities? Should 

a cash benefit be paid to a parent who stays home to care for the child? Should the 

benefits to the child cover only whatever medical services, equipment, transportation 

costs or tangible goods that are directly related to the child’s disability be provided? 

Should SSA be responsible for determining those supports and services or should that 

determination be made by a different source? 

4. How do we ensure that SSI children receive the services that will prepare them, if 

possible, for the workforce? What role if any, should SSA have in transitioning youth 

with disabilities to the world of work? 

5. What’s the best program for a child with a disability which will both assist them with 

basic necessities, and enable them to learn the skills necessary to meaningfully engage in 

the workforce in order to become self-sufficient and productive citizens?

As the Congress considers the status of the SSI program in general, we urge that special 

consideration be given to the part of the SSI program that serves children with disabilities. As 

one of the most vulnerable segments of our population, children should have access to a program 

that clearly meets their needs and offers them hope for the future.

Barbara B. Kennelly, Chair (A)

Bernadette Franks-Ongoy Jagadeesh Gokhale

Dorcas R. Hardy