Research and Analysis by John F. Burton, Jr.
The Growth in Applications for Social Security Disability Insurance: A Spillover Effect from Workers' Compensation
Applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) increased during the 1990s compared with the 1980s. Over that period, workers' compensation benefits for workers with permanent disabilities declined and compensability rules became more stringent. This article examines whether changes in the workers' compensation program caused part of the increase in the DI application rate during the 1990s.