State-to-State Variation in SSI Enrollment for Children With Mental Disabilities: An Administrative and Ethical Challenge.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
The study examined state variation in rates of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determinations, allowances, and receipt of benefits for ten selected child mental disabilities in 2013.Methods
SSI administrative and U.S. Census Bureau data collected by a multidisciplinary consensus committee convened by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in 2015 were examined.Results
Less than 1% of children in 2013 were recipients of SSI for mental disabilities. Determination rates ranged from 1,441 to 251 per 100,000 low-income children, an almost sixfold difference. Allowance rates varied from 16% to 78%, a fivefold difference. Receipt of benefits ranged from .7% to 5.3%, a sevenfold difference.Conclusions
Large unexplained discrepancies across states were found in review and receipt of SSI benefits for low-income children with mental disabilities. Inequities that cannot be explained by disability severity or financial need violate the ethos of equitable access to federally entitled services.
SUBMITTER: Hoagwood KE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5538568 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
State-to-State Variation in SSI Enrollment for Children With Mental Disabilities: An Administrative and Ethical Challenge.
Hoagwood Kimberly E KE Zima Bonnie T BT Buka Stephen L SL Houtrow Amy A Kelleher Kelly J KJ
Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) 20161003 2
<h4>Objective</h4>The study examined state variation in rates of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determinations, allowances, and receipt of benefits for ten selected child mental disabilities in 2013.<h4>Methods</h4>SSI administrative and U.S. Census Bureau data collected by a multidisciplinary consensus committee convened by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in 2015 were examined.<h4>Results</h4>Less than 1% of children in 2013 were recipients of SSI for mental dis ...[more]
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