national survey of ssi children and families (nscf)

National Survey ofSSI Children and Families

NATIONAL SURVEY OF SSI NATIONAL SURVEY OF SSI CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (NSCF)CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (NSCF)

American Public Health American Public Health Association Annual MeetingAssociation Annual Meeting

October 23, 2001October 23, 2001


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Kalman Rupp and Paul DaviesKalman Rupp and Paul DaviesSocial Security AdministrationSocial Security Administration

NSCF

SSI Program: Cash Benefits for Children with Disabilities

Monthly cash benefits to support the basic Monthly cash benefits to support the basic needs of children with disabilities under 18needs of children with disabilities under 18– Federal SSI: up to $531 per month in 2001Federal SSI: up to $531 per month in 2001– State supplements in most statesState supplements in most states

Benefits first paid in 1974Benefits first paid in 1974 Must have low income and limited assetsMust have low income and limited assets

– Parents’ income “deemed” to child with allowances for Parents’ income “deemed” to child with allowances for other children in the familyother children in the family

SSI provides direct link to Medicaid in many SSI provides direct link to Medicaid in many statesstates

NSCF

Growth of SSI for ChildrenSSI Child Applications, Awards, and Recipients, 1974-2000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Year

Nu

mb

er

Applications Awards Recipients

Source: Children Receiving SSI, June 2001 (Tables 1-3)

NSCF

Major Legislative Changes Behind Growth Patterns

Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984– Listing of childhood mental disorders expanded in 1990Listing of childhood mental disorders expanded in 1990

Sullivan v. Zebley decision, 1990Sullivan v. Zebley decision, 1990– SSA regulations require consideration of child’s ability to SSA regulations require consideration of child’s ability to

function in an function in an age-appropriate mannerage-appropriate manner– Multistep evaluation process including individual functional Multistep evaluation process including individual functional

assessment (IFA)assessment (IFA) Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity

Reconciliation Act of 1996Reconciliation Act of 1996– Disability must result in Disability must result in marked and severemarked and severe functional limitations functional limitations– IFA eliminatedIFA eliminated– Maladaptive behavior removed from personal/behavioral domain Maladaptive behavior removed from personal/behavioral domain

of childhood mental disorders listingsof childhood mental disorders listings

NSCF

Basic Indicators of Program Size

Current operating statistics for children:Current operating statistics for children:– Over 860,000 currently receiving SSIOver 860,000 currently receiving SSI– Over $4.8 billion in annual Federal SSI paymentsOver $4.8 billion in annual Federal SSI payments– Average Federal SSI benefit = $467 per monthAverage Federal SSI benefit = $467 per month– 65% receive maximum Federal SSI benefit ($531 per month in 65% receive maximum Federal SSI benefit ($531 per month in

2001)2001) Long-run implications: average total stay on SSI for Long-run implications: average total stay on SSI for

children is 27 years (Rupp & Scott, 1995)children is 27 years (Rupp & Scott, 1995) Coverage of SSI in 1999 relative to TANFCoverage of SSI in 1999 relative to TANF

– 1.2% of children received SSI; 6.9% received TANF1.2% of children received SSI; 6.9% received TANF– 6.9% of children in poverty received SSI; 40.1% received TANF 6.9% of children in poverty received SSI; 40.1% received TANF

((Indicators of Welfare DependenceIndicators of Welfare Dependence, 2001; , 2001; Poverty in the United Poverty in the United States: 1999States: 1999))

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Need for Survey

SSA INFORMATION NEEDS:SSA INFORMATION NEEDS: Fundamental questions about objectives of the Fundamental questions about objectives of the

programprogram Need to obtain information addressing current policy Need to obtain information addressing current policy

questions of interestquestions of interest Assess welfare reform effectsAssess welfare reform effects Future needs for current informationFuture needs for current information

GAP IN DATA AVAILABILITY:GAP IN DATA AVAILABILITY:

Last survey in 1978Last survey in 1978 Administrative record data limitedAdministrative record data limited

NSCF

Basic Survey Design

Comprehensive data collection Comprehensive data collection complementing administrative recordscomplementing administrative records– Who are these children?Who are these children?– Family context (parental labor supply)Family context (parental labor supply)– Cash versus in kind benefitsCash versus in kind benefits– Poverty and noneconomic outcomesPoverty and noneconomic outcomes

Current cross-sectionCurrent cross-section Design allows for follow-up surveyDesign allows for follow-up survey Welfare reform effectsWelfare reform effects

NSCF

What We Do Know: Diagnostic Mix

Source: Annual Statistical Supplement, 2001 - forthcoming (Table 7.F1)

Primary Diagnosis of SSI ChildrenDecember 2000

33% 32%35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Mental retardation Other mental Physical

Pe

rce

nt

wit

h d

iag

no

sis

NSCF

What We Do Know:Family Income Sources

Earned income is much lower for Earned income is much lower for families with children on SSI than all families with children on SSI than all families with childrenfamilies with children

Earned income of parents of SSI Earned income of parents of SSI children is a larger percent of family children is a larger percent of family income than SSIincome than SSI

Other unearned income is an Other unearned income is an important source of income for important source of income for families with SSI children, but families with SSI children, but contributes little to average income contributes little to average income of all other families with childrenof all other families with children

Despite the disability of the child, Despite the disability of the child, families with children on SSI are families with children on SSI are more likely to have earned income more likely to have earned income than families with children on welfare than families with children on welfare (data not shown)(data not shown)

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

$6,000

with child on SSI without child onSSI

$ per month

SSI

non-SSIunearned

earnings

NSCF

What We Do Know:Welfare Reform Effects on Caseload

About 100,000 children lost SSI benefitsAbout 100,000 children lost SSI benefits Approximately 45% of first cohort of age-18 Approximately 45% of first cohort of age-18

cases lost benefitscases lost benefits Little short-run evidence of reapplications by Little short-run evidence of reapplications by

those who lost benefitsthose who lost benefits Tighter rules expected to lead to lower future Tighter rules expected to lead to lower future

entry ratesentry rates Largest net effect over time expected from Largest net effect over time expected from

age-18 redeterminations because this is a age-18 redeterminations because this is a recurring processrecurring process

NSCF

What We Do Know:Effect of SSI on Poverty

Over 60% of SSI children Over 60% of SSI children live in families that would live in families that would be poor without SSIbe poor without SSI

SSI cuts rate of poverty SSI cuts rate of poverty to 60% of “Before SSI” to 60% of “Before SSI” raterate

A nontrivial portion of A nontrivial portion of families have incomes families have incomes above 200% of poverty above 200% of poverty line, especially with SSI line, especially with SSI incomeincome

Family Before Afterincome as SSI SSIpercent ofpoverty lineUnder 50% 41.7 9.3 50-74% 11.9 15.5 75-99% 9.9 14.4 100-199% 24.0 39.5 200% + 12.4 21.4 Total 100.0 100.0

percent distribution

NSCF

What We Do Know:Kids in Multirecipient Households

Over 40 percent of child Over 40 percent of child recipients live in recipients live in multirecipient householdsmultirecipient households

6 out of 10 of these kids 6 out of 10 of these kids live with a parent live with a parent recipient, less than 1 in recipient, less than 1 in 10 with a grandparent 10 with a grandparent recipientrecipient

Children in multirecipient Children in multirecipient households are at a households are at a relatively high risk of relatively high risk of povertypoverty

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

sing

le

coup

le

othe

r m

ulti

0-17 yrs

18-64 yrs

65+ yrs

Proportion of SSI Recipients in Poverty

NSCF

What We DON’T Know:What Will We Learn from NSCF?

Data collection and survey content Data collection and survey content – Susan MitchellSusan Mitchell

Sample designSample design– Frank PotterFrank Potter

Data productsData products– Margaret CahalanMargaret Cahalan

Data usesData uses– Pamela LoprestPamela Loprest


DATA COLLECTION AND DATA COLLECTION AND SURVEY CONTENTSURVEY CONTENT

Susan MitchellSusan MitchellMathematica Policy ResearchMathematica Policy Research

NSCF

Data Collection Plan

N = 11,875 N = 11,875

Sample includes current SSI recipients, former SSI Sample includes current SSI recipients, former SSI recipients, families who applied for but never recipients, families who applied for but never received SSIreceived SSI

Response rate target = 80 percentResponse rate target = 80 percent

Dual modes of data collectionDual modes of data collection

– Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

– Computer-Assisted Personal InterviewingComputer-Assisted Personal Interviewing(CAPI)(CAPI)

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Methods for Maximizing Response

Advance letterAdvance letter

800 number800 number

$10 incentive$10 incentive

Refusal conversionsRefusal conversions

Spanish translationSpanish translation

NSCF

CATI

October status = 40 percent response rateOctober status = 40 percent response rate

CATI goal = 65 percent response CATI goal = 65 percent response

100 telephone interviewers100 telephone interviewers

16 hours of training16 hours of training

August 2001 – February 2002August 2001 – February 2002

NSCF

CAPI

November 2001 – February 2002November 2001 – February 2002

90 field interviewers (3-day training)90 field interviewers (3-day training)

Cases to CAPICases to CAPI

– Those who evade or refuseThose who evade or refuse– Those who can not complete telephone interviewThose who can not complete telephone interview– Unlocated casesUnlocated cases

NSCF

Questionnaire

70 minutes in length70 minutes in length

Three versionsThree versions– Child (under 17)Child (under 17)– Young adult (17+)Young adult (17+)– Imprisonment moduleImprisonment module

Similar in content but allow for age-specific Similar in content but allow for age-specific differencesdifferences

Young adult version asks about job preparedness Young adult version asks about job preparedness and youth transition issuesand youth transition issues

NSCF

Who is the Respondent?

Sample case <18 = parent/guardianSample case <18 = parent/guardian

Sample case = 18+Sample case = 18+

– Parent/guardian if living at home/schoolParent/guardian if living at home/school– Sample case if living independentlySample case if living independently– Proxy if living independently and unable to Proxy if living independently and unable to

respondrespond

Imprisoned = parent/guardian or proxyImprisoned = parent/guardian or proxy

NSCF

Questionnaire Content

Disability status and Disability status and functional limitationsfunctional limitations

Health care utilizationHealth care utilization

Health insuranceHealth insurance

Education and trainingEducation and training

Programs and servicesPrograms and services

Impact on familyImpact on family

SSI experienceSSI experience

EmploymentEmployment

Work and child careWork and child care

Unearned income and Unearned income and assetsassets

Housing and Housing and transportationtransportation

BackgroundBackground


SAMPLE DESIGNSAMPLE DESIGN

Frank PotterFrank PotterMichael SinclairMichael SinclairBidisha GhoshBidisha Ghosh

NSCF

ObjectivesObjectives

Provide updated information on Provide updated information on experiences, characteristics, and needs experiences, characteristics, and needs of disabled children and their familiesof disabled children and their families

Address question of the effects of the Address question of the effects of the Personal Responsibility and Work Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ((PRWORA akaPRWORA aka welfare reform) welfare reform)

NSCF

Target PopulationsTarget Populations

Children and families affected by Children and families affected by welfare reformwelfare reform

Children and families currently Children and families currently receiving SSI benefitsreceiving SSI benefits

NSCF

Definition of ‘Child’Definition of ‘Child’

Person 18 or younger at welfare reform Person 18 or younger at welfare reform (used December 1996)(used December 1996)

Person 18 or younger at the time of the Person 18 or younger at the time of the survey (December 2000)survey (December 2000)

Or bothOr both

NSCF

Children Affected by Welfare Reform

Children subject to redetermination and SSI Children subject to redetermination and SSI benefits were continuedbenefits were continued

Children subject to redetermination and SSI Children subject to redetermination and SSI benefits were ceased benefits were ceased

Children not subject to redeterminationChildren not subject to redetermination

Children ages 17-18 at welfare reformChildren ages 17-18 at welfare reform

Children not receiving SSI at WR but had Children not receiving SSI at WR but had previous contact with the programprevious contact with the program

NSCF

Children Currently Receiving SSI Benefits

Children who were on SSI at welfare Children who were on SSI at welfare reformreform

Children who were not on SSI at Children who were not on SSI at

welfare reformwelfare reform Children recipients age 17-18 Children recipients age 17-18

NSCF

Sampling Frame SourceSampling Frame Source

SSI extract record file for December 1996SSI extract record file for December 1996– For SSI recipients at welfare reform and For SSI recipients at welfare reform and

children encountering SSI systemchildren encountering SSI system

SSI extract record file for December 2000SSI extract record file for December 2000– For current recipients or encountering SSI For current recipients or encountering SSI

system since welfare reformsystem since welfare reform

Children “universe” fileChildren “universe” file– For children subject to redetermination at For children subject to redetermination at

welfare reform welfare reform

NSCF

Target Population Size: Target Population Size: At Welfare ReformAt Welfare Reform

On SSI at welfare reformOn SSI at welfare reform 1,520,9271,520,927

Subject to redeterminationSubject to redetermination 325,622 325,622– ContinuedContinued

145,069145,069– DeniedDenied

180,553180,553

Not subject to redeterminationNot subject to redetermination 1,195,3051,195,305

Not on SSI at welfare reformNot on SSI at welfare reform 1,991,6481,991,648

Ages 17–18 at welfare reformAges 17–18 at welfare reform 341,334 341,334

NSCF

Target Population Size: Target Population Size: Current RecipientsCurrent Recipients

Currently On SSICurrently On SSI 886,930886,930

On SSI at welfare reform On SSI at welfare reform 535,063535,063

Not on SSI at welfare reformNot on SSI at welfare reform 351,867351,867

Ages 17 – 18 Ages 17 – 18 106,365106,365

NSCF

Subpopulations of InterestSubpopulations of Interest

Age (current and at welfare reform)Age (current and at welfare reform)

GenderGender

Presence of a mental or physical Presence of a mental or physical disability diagnosisdisability diagnosis

Duration of recipient statusDuration of recipient status

NSCF

Sample Design IssuesSample Design Issues

Optimal sample size / allocationOptimal sample size / allocation– For nearly 140 estimatesFor nearly 140 estimates

11 domains of interest11 domains of interest14 subpopulations14 subpopulations

Some small domains Some small domains

Efficient design for telephone with in-Efficient design for telephone with in-person follow-upperson follow-up

NSCF

Sample Size /AllocationSample Size /Allocation

Minimize cost subject to multiple precision Minimize cost subject to multiple precision constraintsconstraints

Minimizing cost (C) = Minimizing cost (C) = C C hh n n hh

Subject to precision constraints (Var*Subject to precision constraints (Var*k k ) ) on variance estimates (Von variance estimates (Vkk ) )

Var Var kk Var* Var* kk

where Var where Var kk = = Var Var k, hk, h / n / n h h

NSCF

Sample DesignSample Design

Multi-stage list-basedMulti-stage list-based– 75 primary sampling units (PSUs) 75 primary sampling units (PSUs)

Use composite size measure Use composite size measure

– to ensure adequate sample in small to ensure adequate sample in small domainsdomains

– equalize workload in PSUsequalize workload in PSUs

NSCF

Sample SizesSample Sizes

TotalTotal 9,4809,480

On SSI at welfare reform On SSI at welfare reform 6,8326,832

Current recipientsCurrent recipients 4,4514,451

NSCF

Sample Sizes for Children Affected by Welfare Reform

Subject to redetermination Subject to redetermination and continued: and continued: 1,9621,962

Subject to redetermination Subject to redetermination and SSI benefits were ceased: and SSI benefits were ceased: 2,000 2,000

Not subject to redeterminationNot subject to redetermination 2,8702,870

Age 17-18 at welfare reform:Age 17-18 at welfare reform: 1,5831,583

Not receiving SSI at welfare reform but Not receiving SSI at welfare reform but had previous contact with the program:had previous contact with the program: 3,0243,024

NSCF

Sample Sizes for Children Currently Receiving SSI Benefits

All children:All children: 4,451 4,451

On SSI at welfare reform:On SSI at welfare reform: 3,0543,054 Not on SSI at welfare reform:Not on SSI at welfare reform: 1,3981,398 Children ages 17-18 Children ages 17-18 1,0201,020

NSCF

Sample Sizes for SubpopulationsSample Sizes for Subpopulations

MaleMale FemaleFemale 0-50-5 6-126-12 13-1613-16 17-1817-18

On SSI at On SSI at Welfare Welfare ReformReform

4,5154,515 2,3172,317 956956 2,8612,861 1,9081,908 1,1071,107

Current Current RecipientsRecipients 2,8652,865 1,5871,587 611611 1,6611,661 1,1591,159 1,0201,020

NSCF

Sample Release

Monitoring sample status in each PSU Monitoring sample status in each PSU and sampling strataand sampling strata– 592 cells (PSUs/strata)592 cells (PSUs/strata)

Periodic release of additional samplePeriodic release of additional sample

Target response rate: 80%Target response rate: 80%


NSCF DATA PRODUCTSNSCF DATA PRODUCTS

Margaret CahalanMargaret CahalanMathematica Policy ResearchMathematica Policy Research

NSCF

Data Products

Restricted data filesRestricted data files

Public use filePublic use file

CodebooksCodebooks

User’s ManualUser’s Manual

Report on Comparisons with Existing DataReport on Comparisons with Existing Data

NSCF

Public Use File

Adhere to SSA guidelines for protecting Adhere to SSA guidelines for protecting privacyprivacy

– Disclosure analysisDisclosure analysis

– Techniques to mask identityTechniques to mask identity

File will include variance estimation File will include variance estimation parametersparameters

NSCF

User’s Manual

Codebook (question wording, variable name, Codebook (question wording, variable name, weighted and unweighted frequencies, notes weighted and unweighted frequencies, notes on questions, population asked the question)on questions, population asked the question)

Annotated questionnaire with references to Annotated questionnaire with references to donor surveysdonor surveys

Discussion of sample design, response, Discussion of sample design, response, weighting, and variance estimation weighting, and variance estimation proceduresprocedures

NSCF

Report on Comparisons to Related Surveys

Research questions enriched through Research questions enriched through comparisons and baselinescomparisons and baselines

Survey design intentionally used same Survey design intentionally used same question wordingquestion wording

Report will include NSCF tables giving Report will include NSCF tables giving estimates for key statistics collected estimates for key statistics collected including standard errors including standard errors

NSCF

Key Related Surveys

Related surveyRelated survey Sample and estimatesSample and estimates

National Health Interview Survey National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and NHIS-Disability(NHIS) and NHIS-Disability

Annual 43,000 households and Annual 43,000 households and 38,000 children38,000 children.7% (252) severe , 4.7% (1,758) .7% (252) severe , 4.7% (1,758) moderate, all disabled-6.5% (2,475)moderate, all disabled-6.5% (2,475)

Survey of Income and Program Survey of Income and Program ParticipationParticipation

36,700 households and 27,000 36,700 households and 27,000 children –age 0-14 (1.1% severe; children –age 0-14 (1.1% severe; 9.1% any disability)-age 15-21 (1.1% 9.1% any disability)-age 15-21 (1.1% severe; 12.1 any disability)severe; 12.1 any disability)

National Survey of Children with National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs-July Special Health Care Needs-July 20022002

2,750 households; 5,000 children 2,750 households; 5,000 children per stateper state750 CSHCN per state750 CSHCN per state

NSCF

Groups for Comparison fromOther Surveys

All families with disabled children or children All families with disabled children or children with special health care needswith special health care needs

Families with disabled children who do not Families with disabled children who do not receive SSI benefitsreceive SSI benefits

Other low income families with children with Other low income families with children with disabilities or special needsdisabilities or special needs

Other low income families without children Other low income families without children with special needswith special needs

NSCF

Key Data Items

Distribution and Distribution and severity of conditionsseverity of conditions

Functional limitationsFunctional limitations Labor force status of Labor force status of

parentsparents Child and personal care Child and personal care

arrangementsarrangements Incidence of service Incidence of service

utilizationutilization Extent of perceived Extent of perceived

unmet need for health unmet need for health care and servicescare and services

Expenditures and Expenditures and distribution of distribution of paymentspayments

Impact on family and Impact on family and stress levelsstress levels

Satisfaction with careSatisfaction with care Use of special Use of special

equipmentequipment Education and trainingEducation and training Youth transition issuesYouth transition issues

NSCF

Related Surveys for Major NSCF Survey Topics

Disability and Functional Status, Health Disability and Functional Status, Health Care Utilization, Health InsuranceCare Utilization, Health Insurance (NHIS, (NHIS, SIPP, 1978 Survey, SSA Administrative records, SIPP, 1978 Survey, SSA Administrative records, CSHCN)CSHCN)

Education, Training and Other ServicesEducation, Training and Other Services (NHIS-disability supplement; CSHCN; Survey of (NHIS-disability supplement; CSHCN; Survey of American Families (SAF)American Families (SAF)

Impact on Family, Employment, Income Impact on Family, Employment, Income and Housingand Housing (NHIS-Disability Supplement; SIPP; (NHIS-Disability Supplement; SIPP; SAF; Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)SAF; Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)


Using NSCF Data for External Using NSCF Data for External ResearchResearch

Pamela LoprestPamela LoprestThe Urban InstituteThe Urban Institute

Washington, DCWashington, DC

NSCF

Research on Children with Disabilities

Debate up to welfare reform around rationale Debate up to welfare reform around rationale of SSI payments for children, but lack of of SSI payments for children, but lack of researchresearch

Non-disability focused large survey data Non-disability focused large survey data sources lack sample size and disability sources lack sample size and disability informationinformation

Administrative/program data lack cross-Administrative/program data lack cross-program and family informationprogram and family information

NSCF

Research Questions on Rationale for SSI Payments to Children

Extent to which families face disability-Extent to which families face disability-related costsrelated costs

Need for income replacement for caregiversNeed for income replacement for caregivers

Can SSI payments help meet developmental Can SSI payments help meet developmental needs and therefore reduce future use of needs and therefore reduce future use of income support as adultsincome support as adults

NSCF

Additional Areas for Research

Transition to adulthood Transition to adulthood Unmet service needsUnmet service needs Multiple program participationMultiple program participation Effects on familyEffects on family

NSCF

Presentation Outline

How NSCF information can be used to How NSCF information can be used to address research questionsaddress research questions

Some general issues and caveats in using Some general issues and caveats in using the datathe data

NSCF

Disability-Related Expenditures

Level of out-of-pocket payments for a large Level of out-of-pocket payments for a large number of disability specific needs, including number of disability specific needs, including medicines, special diet, medical supplies, medicines, special diet, medical supplies, clothing, additional health premiums and clothing, additional health premiums and utility paymentsutility payments

Payments for health-related care givingPayments for health-related care giving Durable medical equipment expendituresDurable medical equipment expenditures Direct question on how SSI check spentDirect question on how SSI check spent

NSCF

SSI as Caregiver Income Replacement

To what extent are children on SSI receiving To what extent are children on SSI receiving care/health care by family members?care/health care by family members?

Receiving paid non-family care?Receiving paid non-family care? How do parental work patterns vary by How do parental work patterns vary by

child’s care needs?child’s care needs?

NSCF

Children with Disabilities’ Transition to Adulthood

Allows for study of 18 to 25 year oldsAllows for study of 18 to 25 year olds Document status: living arrangements, Document status: living arrangements,

benefit status, work/educationbenefit status, work/education Analyze connection between receipt of Analyze connection between receipt of

special education/training/vocational special education/training/vocational services and current statusservices and current status

Additional questions on education activities Additional questions on education activities for 14 to 17 year oldsfor 14 to 17 year olds

NSCF

Unmet Service Needs

Delays/lack of receipt of medical services Delays/lack of receipt of medical services and whyand why

Extent of use and need for services Extent of use and need for services Why not receiving needed servicesWhy not receiving needed services Whether on waiting list for specific servicesWhether on waiting list for specific services

NSCF

Multiple Program Participation

Questions on service receipt across Questions on service receipt across programsprograms

Information on receipt of special education Information on receipt of special education services, early intervention services, services, early intervention services, vocational rehabilitation services, vocational rehabilitation services, transportation servicestransportation services

Family receipt of other public assistanceFamily receipt of other public assistance

NSCF

Effects on Families

Questions on how a child with disability Questions on how a child with disability impacts family status/functioningimpacts family status/functioning

Severity/type of disability relates to family Severity/type of disability relates to family circumstancescircumstances– income, parental stress, material hardshipincome, parental stress, material hardship

NSCF

General Issues/Limitations of Research with NSCF

SSI children are not representative of all SSI children are not representative of all children with disabilitieschildren with disabilities

No families without children with disabilities No families without children with disabilities for direct comparisonsfor direct comparisons

No longitudinal information to make No longitudinal information to make inferences over timeinferences over time

NSCF

SSI Children Compared to all Children with Disabilities

Using a functional definition (NHIS-D data), Using a functional definition (NHIS-D data), 6 million children have disabilities, 4 million 6 million children have disabilities, 4 million under 200% povertyunder 200% poverty

SSI kids likely more severe disability and SSI kids likely more severe disability and poorerpoorer

Not all SSI eligibles receive benefitsNot all SSI eligibles receive benefits

NSCF

Using NSCF with other Survey Data

Comparisons of NSCF results to results for Comparisons of NSCF results to results for all children with disabilitiesall children with disabilities– extent to which SSI payments reduce need, extent to which SSI payments reduce need,

hardship, etc.hardship, etc.

Comparison of NSCF results to low-income Comparison of NSCF results to low-income families without a child with a disabilityfamilies without a child with a disability– for example, relative probability of parental for example, relative probability of parental

stress stress

NSCF

Difficulties in Using NSCF with other Survey Data

Interpretation of differences difficultInterpretation of differences difficult

– Differences in survey sample, Differences in survey sample, questions, and time frame limit questions, and time frame limit comparabilitycomparability

– Not just outcome comparisons, but need Not just outcome comparisons, but need similar controlssimilar controls

Similar results for sample of SSI kids in other Similar results for sample of SSI kids in other surveys may bolster credibility of surveys may bolster credibility of comparison to non-SSI samplescomparison to non-SSI samples

NSCF

Longitudinal Information

Some questions require information over Some questions require information over time, e.g. how past service use affects time, e.g. how past service use affects current health or economic statuscurrent health or economic status

Some longitudinal/history data availableSome longitudinal/history data available– Use of administrative data for benefit Use of administrative data for benefit

history, potentially earnings historyhistory, potentially earnings history

– Follow-up surveys provide additional Follow-up surveys provide additional informationinformation

national survey of ssi children and families (nscf)

Documents