NB22-03: How Do Economic Conditions Affect the Rate of Appeals and Reapplication for SSDI Beneficiaries Whose Benefits Were Terminated?

In this project we will explore how economic conditions can affect the likelihood that individuals whose benefits were terminated due to medical improvement after a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) re-engage with SSDI programs, either through appealing their CDR decision, or by re-applying for benefits in the future. We will link publicly available data on economic conditions (unemployment rate) to several data sources from SSA and exploit variation in economic conditions across states and over time to explore the association between economic conditions and program outcomes. While prior work has examined the effect of economic conditions on entry into the SSDI program, to our knowledge no work has examined the effect of economic conditions on those who involuntarily exit the SSDI program. This information could be useful to SSA in developing policy solutions to support individuals who leave SSDI or SSI due to medical improvement in their re-entry into the labor market.