Improving Criteria for Disability Compensation

Federal disability programs, such as those at the Social Security Administration (SSA) have experienced significant growth over the past decade and are expected to grow even more as increasing numbers of baby boomers reach their disability-prone years. In designating federal disability programs as a high-risk area in January 2003, GAO noted that disability programs remain mired in concepts from the past and are poorly positioned to provide meaningful and timely support for workers with disabilities. For example:

• SSA's eligibility criteria do not fully incorporate a modern understanding of how technology and the labor market should impact the agency's determination of individuals' eligibility for benefits. Thus, SSA's eligibility criteria may not sufficiently assess the work capacity of individuals in the 21st century.

  Highlights of GAO-08-635 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

Based on our body of work, we have called for, among other things, the fundamental transformation and modernization of federal disability programs, including SSA's Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs:

• Congress should consider, in consultation with key agencies and other stakeholders, the authorization of a coordinating entity consisting of leadership from appropriate federal agencies to develop a cost-effective federal strategy to integrate services and support for individuals with disabilities.

  Highlights of GAO-08-635 (PDF)

• SSA should study and report to Congress the effect that a comprehensive consideration of medical treatment and assistive technologies would have on DI and SSI disability programs' eligibility criteria and benefit package.

  Full Report of GAO-02-597 (PDF, 50 pages)

^ Back to topKey Reports

SSA Disability Representatives

SSA and VA Disability Programs

Social Security Disability Programs

Federal Disability Programs

More Reports