Comparison of National Death Index and World Wide Web death searches.
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The authors used the National Death Index and a World Wide Web Internet site that searches the Social Security Administration master files of deaths to determine the mortality status of 1,000 US subjects from the College Alumni Health Study. Subjects were classified as definitely dead, possibly dead, or presumed alive. Of 246 definite deaths pinpointed by the National Death Index, the World Wide Web identified 94.7% of them. Of 438 men presumed alive according to the National Death Index, the World Wide Web identified 97.5% of them. However, the World Wide Web was not useful for identifying deaths of women. This study demonstrated that the World Wide Web may provide an alternative, inexpensive method of determining the mortality status of subjects in relatively small epidemiologic studies. (+info)
Determining disability and blindness; substantial gainful activity guides. Social Security Administration. Final rules.
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We are revising our rules to reflect amendments to the Social Security Act (the Act) concerning the trial work period and the disability insurance reentitlement period. We are also clarifying certain standards we use to determine whether work is substantial gainful activity and whether an individual is entitled to a trial work period, thereby further explaining how we determine disability under titles II and XVI of the Act. (+info)
Extension of expiration date for the respiratory body system listings. Social Security Administration (SSA). Final rule.
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We adjudicate claims at the third step of our sequential evaluation process for evaluating disability using the Listing of Impairments (the Listings) under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. This final rule extends until July 2, 2002, the date on which the respiratory body system listings will no longer be effective. We have made no revisions to the medical criteria in these listings; they remain the same as they now appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. This extension will ensure that we continue to have medical evaluation criteria in the listings to adjudicate claims for disability based on impairments in the respiratory body system at step three of our sequential evaluation process. (+info)
Revised medical criteria for determination of disability, musculoskeletal system and related criteria. Final rules with request for comments.
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We are revising the criteria in the Listing of Impairments (the listings) that we use to evaluate musculoskeletal impairments in adults and children who claim Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on disability under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). There visions reflect advances in medical knowledge, treatment, and methods of evaluating musculoskeletal impairments. When the final rules become effective, we will apply them to new applications filed on or after the effective date of the rules and to other claims described in the preamble. Individuals who currently receive benefits will not lose eligibility as a result of these final rules. Also, although some individuals with musculoskeletal impairments will not meet the requirements of these final listings, they may still be found disabled at a later step in the sequential evaluation process based on their functional limitations. (+info)
Navigating the disability process: persons with mental disorders applying for and receiving disability benefits.
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Persons with mental disorders are less likely to be working and more likely to apply for and receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits than are those without such disorders. Data from the National Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D) were examined to identify the predictors of SSDI/SSI application and receipt among persons with self-reported mental disorders. Compared with nonapplicants, applicants had higher levels of disability, fewer financial and interpersonal resources, and better access to information about the disability programs. Among applicants, similar factors distinguished recipients from those who did not receive benefits. Navigating the disability process is associated with the extent of impairment, economic and social disadvantage, and linkage to the disability determination process. (+info)
Extension of the expiration date for several body system listings. Final rule.
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We use the Listing of Impairments (the listings) at the third step of the sequential evaluation process when we evaluate your claim for benefits based on disability under title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). This final rule extends until July 3, 2006, the date on which listings for four body systems will no longer be effective and extends until July 2, 2007, the date on which the listings for eight body systems will no longer be effective. Other than extending the date during which the listings will be effective, we have made no revisions to the listings; they remain the same as they now appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. This extension will ensure that we continue to have the medical evaluation criteria in the listings to adjudicate disability claims in these body systems at step three of the sequential evaluation process. (+info)
Underascertainment of deaths using social security records: a recommended solution to a little-known problem.
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Complete and accurate ascertainment of vital status is of great importance in cohort studies. Recently, during the vital status ascertainment phase of an ongoing occupational mortality study, the authors discovered a potentially serious problem with use of the Pension Benefit Information Company's tracing service or any tracing that relies on records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Death Master File to identify deaths. Their investigation revealed that a number of US states restrict the information in the SSA's Death Master File that is available to researchers and the public as a source of death information. As a result of these findings, the authors recommend a revised two-stage vital status tracing protocol. For stage I, data on all subjects for whom vital status is unconfirmed should be sent to the SSA. For stage II, information on all subjects to whom SSA assigned an unknown vital status as well as all subjects whom SSA identified as known decedents should be submitted to the National Death Index. This new protocol will enable researchers to maximize vital status ascertainment while containing costs associated with death identification. (+info)
Effect of Social Security payments on substance abuse in a homeless mentally ill cohort.
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OBJECTIVES: To determine whether receipt of social supplemental security income (SSI) or Social Security disability income (SSDI) disability payments is associated with increased drug and alcohol use. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Secondary analysis of data from 6,199 participants in the Access to Community Care and Effective Social Supports and Services demonstration for the homeless mentally ill. DESIGN: Observational, 12-month, cohort study completed over 4 years. Substance abuse and other outcomes were compared between the participants who did not receive SSI or SSDI during the 12-month study, those newly awarded benefits, and those without benefits throughout the 12 months. DATA COLLECTION METHODS: Social Security administrative records were used to corroborate Social Security benefit status. Drug and alcohol use were measured by self-report and clinician ratings. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Participants who did not receive benefits significantly reduced their substance use over time. In generalized estimating equations models that adjusted for potentially confounding covariates, participants who newly received Social Security benefits showed no greater drug use than those without benefits but had significantly more days housed and fewer days employed. Participants whose benefits antedated the demonstration and continued during the 12 months had more clinician-rated drug use over time than those without benefits. CONCLUSIONS: In this vulnerable population, participants with newly awarded benefits did not have any different drug use changes than those without benefits, and had relatively more days housed. The hypothesis that Social Security benefits facilitate drug use was not supported by longitudinal data in this high-risk population. (+info)