How Policy Variables Influence the Timing of Social Security Disability Insurance Applications

This article analyzes the impact of policy
variables—employer accommodations,
state Social Security Disability Insurance
(DI) allowance rates, and DI benefits—
on the timing of an application for DI
benefits by workers with a work-limiting
health condition starting when their
health condition first begins to bother
them. The analysis uses a rich mixture of
personal and employer characteristics
from the Health and Retirement Study
linked to Social Security administrative
records.