OMB: 0960-0788
START SURVEY
The Social Security Administration is testing a preliminary version of the Disability Perceptions Survey. Your responses to this version of the survey will be used to help SSA create the final survey. That final survey will give the Agency a better understanding of people’s knowledge about SSDI and their likelihood of applying for benefits in the future. By collecting Social Security Numbers along with survey responses in the final version, SSA will be able to learn about who applies for SSDI, and find out what additional information they might need about the program. Your responses to this survey will NOT be used to determine eligibility for benefits, but will only be used for research purposes.
What is your Social Security Number?
____ ____ ____--____ ____--____ ____ ____ ____
[IF SSN NOT COMPLETED]
Please note that in order to complete the survey and be eligible for the incentive, we need your Social Security Number. Would you be willing to provide this information?
____ ____ ____--____ ____--____ ____ ____ ____ Social Security Number
[ ] I do not wish to provide this information
We understand that you do not want to provide your SSN. Can you please tell us the last 4 digits of your SSN?
____ ____ ____ ____ Last four digits of Social Security Number
How familiar are you with the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program?
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Familiar
Not at all familiar
How familiar are you with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program?
Very familiar
Somewhat familiar
Familiar
Not at all familiar
This survey is about the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. This program provides benefits to workers who have a disabling condition that prevents them from working.
There is another program, called the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which also provides benefits to eligible disabled individuals.
Please note that this survey is about SSDI only, not SSI. Listed below are key facts about SSDI and how it is different from SSI.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
Earned by workers paying Social Security taxes on their wages |
Not required to have a work history |
Not need based |
Need based
|
|
Eligibility depends on income and resources |
Benefit amounts are based on earnings |
Benefit amounts are not based on earnings.
|
|
There is a maximum monthly payment |
Provides benefits to disabled workers |
Provides benefits to disabled adults
|
|
Provides benefits to disabled children |
Provides benefits to adults disabled since childhood |
|
Provides benefits to certain dependents |
Does not provide benefits to dependents |
The following questions concern your personal experience with SSDI; your future outlook on health, work, and the possibility of having to apply for disability benefits; and your preferred methods for receiving information related to the SSDI program.
F1. Have you ever applied, or are you currently applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) disability benefits?
a. Yes
b. No GO TO F2.1
F1a. What was the outcome of the application?
Awarded benefits and still receiving them
Awarded benefits but no longer receiving them
Awaiting a decision on the application
Denied and currently appealing the decision
Denied
F2.1: Thinking about family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and acquaintances who are 18 to 64 years old, do you know anyone who has a disabling condition that limits their ability to work?
By disabling condition we mean anything that makes it hard for people to work, or hard to work as many hours as they would like, or limits the type of work they can do.
Yes
No SKIP TO F4a
F2.2 [IF F2.1=YES, KNOW SOMEONE]: Have any of the people you know with a disabling condition applied for SSDI disability benefits?
Yes
NoSKIP TO F2.5
F2.3 [IF F2.2=YES] How many people do you know who have applied for disability benefits?
_____ people
IF NUMBER OF PEOPLE=0, SKIP TO 2.5
F2.4: [IF F2.3 >1; R KNOWS MORE THAN ONE PERSON WHO APPLIED, ADD: Please think about the person you know best who has applied for disability benefits.] What is the current status of this person’s application for SSDI disability benefits?
Awarded benefits and still receiving them
Awarded benefits but no longer receiving them
Awaiting a decision on the initial application
Denied and currently appealing the decision
Denied
Don’t know
F2.5: Have any of the people you know with disabling conditions not yet applied for SSDI disability benefits?
Yes
NoSKIP to F4a
F2.6 How many people with disabling conditions do you know who have not yet applied for SSDI disability benefits?
_____ people
IF NUMBER OF PEOPLE=0, SKIP TO F4a.
F2.7: [IF F2.6>1; R KNOWS MORE THAN ONE PERSON WHO HAS NOT YET APPLIED, ADD: Please think about the person you know best who has not yet applied for benefits.] Is this person planning to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
Yes SKIP TO F4a
No
Don’t know SKIP TO F4a
F2.8: [IF F2.7=NO] What are the reasons why this person does not plan on applying for SSDI disability benefits?
They still work or are able to work
They do not meet SSA’s definition of disability
They do not have the required work history
They have reached the age of retirement and receive Social Security retirement benefits
Unaware of SSDI benefits
Not willing to apply due to the stigma attached to receiving benefits
Don’t know how to apply
Other (specify)
F4a: In the past year, did you look for any information about SSDI?
Yes
No GO TO F4d
F4b: Where did you look for information? (yes/no)
My employer
A doctor’s office or health clinic
Family or friends
State unemployment office
Workers’ compensation office
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Another government agency
Another source (such as an attorney, insurance company, nonprofit organization) (please describe)
F4c: How helpful was the information that you found?
Very helpful
Somewhat helpful
Not very helpful
I was not able to find any information
[SKIP F4d. GO TO F6]
F4d: In the past year, have you heard anything about SSDI from any of the following sources? (yes/no)
My employer
A doctor’s office or health clinic
Family or friends
State unemployment office
Workers’ compensation office
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Another government agency
Another source (such as an attorney, insurance company, nonprofit organization) (please describe)
F6: Based on what you know about the SSDI program, how likely is it that you will apply for disability benefits
[IF AGE 62 OR UNDER: in the next 5 years / IF AGE 63 to 64 YEARS: before you turn 67]?
[7-point scale: Not very likely to extremely likely]
[ ] I am already on SSDI
F7. In the next 5 years, do you expect your health to improve, get worse, or stay about the same?
Improve
Get worse
Stay about the same
Now we would like to ask you a question about your current employment.
Demographics Q5: Are you currently working for pay at a job or business?
Yes, full-time
Yes, part-time
No, not working [GO TO P6]
F8a. In the next 5 years, if you developed a long-term health problem and lost your job, would you apply for disability benefits?
Yes
Yes, but only if I could not find another job or otherwise make ends meet
No, would not apply
[IF F8a=YES, ONLY IF COULD NOT MAKE ENDS MEET, GO TO F8b. ELSE GO TO P6.]
F8b. Which of the following resources would you rely on? (yes/no)
[IF age=57 or over] I would apply for early retirement benefits through Social Security
I would try to collect an early pension or other retirement benefit from a previous employer
I would try to find another job
I would support myself through savings, income from a spouse’s job, or other source of income
I would apply for unemployment benefits
P6. Do you think of the SSDI disability program as a “welfare program”?
Yes
No
P8: Some individuals who potentially qualify for disability benefits do not apply. Which of the following do you think is the most common reason for not applying for these benefits?
They like their jobs
They earn more from working than they would receive in benefits
They feel there is social stigma attached to receiving benefits
They think the application process is long and complicated
Other
The following questions ask about your general knowledge of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Your answers to these questions will help SSA understand what people know and don’t know about SSDI and help us figure out how to better inform people about this benefit. Please answer them as best you can by yourself, without looking up any of the answers. Your best estimate is fine.
K1. How long must a health problem last to be considered disabling for receipt of SSDI benefits?
6 months
12 months
5 years
The health problem must be permanent
Don’t know / not sure
K2. Does ability to find a job matter in qualifying for SSDI benefits?
Yes
No
Don’t know / not sure
K3. What, if any, are the requirements for receiving SSDI benefits?
The disabling condition is considered severe
The disabling condition prevents working at substantial levels
The disabling condition has lasted, or is expected to last, twelve months or more
All of the above
None of these are requirements
Don’t know / not sure
K5. Does SSA ever check to see if SSDI beneficiaries are still disabled?
No, disability is considered permanent
Yes, every year
Yes, every 3 years
Yes, at least every 7 years
Don’t know / not sure
P1. Thinking about the U.S. as a whole, what percentage of the working age population do you think receive SSDI disability benefits at some point in their lives? By ‘working-age population’, we mean people ages 18 to 64. This includes people in that age range who are not working
Less than 10%
10-20%
20-30%
More than 30%
Don’t know / not sure
P2. Thinking about the U.S. as a whole, what percentage of 18 to 64 year olds do you think are currently receiving SSDI disability benefits?
Less than 5%
5-10%
10-15%
More than 15%
Don’t know / not sure
P3. Thinking about the U.S. as a whole, what percentage of SSDI disability applicants do you think are ultimately approved for benefits?
Less than 10%
10-25%
25-50%
More than 50%
Don’t know / not sure
P4. Thinking about last ten years, do you think it has become easier or harder to receive SSDI disability benefits?
Easier
Harder
About the same
Don’t know / not sure
P5. On average, about how much of a person’s work-related income do you think SSDI benefits will cover? Do you think SSDI will cover all, most, about half, or less than half of what people would otherwise earn through work?
All
Most
About half
Less than half
Don’t know / not sure
We are nearly done. Just one more section.
This section includes some brief hypothetical scenarios about people in various health-related and employment circumstances. Following each scenario are a few questions about your views on the person’s particular situation. Please answer these questions to the best of your ability. There are no right or wrong answers.
V1. Sam is 40 years old. He has worked his entire adult life as a construction worker. Sam recently developed pain in his back and legs. The pain is present almost all of the time. Sam takes medication for the pain, which helps somewhat, but he still has a difficult time moving around and lifting things at work.
If you were in Sam’s situation, how likely would you be to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to apply - Extremely likely to apply]
B. How likely do you think Sam is to qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to qualify - Extremely likely to qualify]
If Sam had been experiencing symptoms for more than a year, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [DURATION]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]
Deleted
Deleted
If Sam were able to do another job instead of construction, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [ANOTHER JOB]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
V2. Mary is 57 years old. She is a bilingual customer service worker. She has a mild mental impairment caused by a recent stroke. Mary is still five years away from the earliest age that she can file for retirement benefits. She is struggling to make ends meet.
If you were in Mary’s situation, how likely would you be to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to apply - Extremely likely to apply]
How likely do you think Mary is to qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to qualify - Extremely likely to qualify]]
Deleted
Deleted
If Mary’s mental impairment was more severe, do you think she would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [SEVERITY]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
If Mary became unable to work as a bilingual customer service worker, do you think she would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [CURRENT JOB]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
V3. Diane is a 30-year-old attorney. In her free time she is a competitive cyclist who regularly participates in races. Yesterday, Diane was hit by a car while biking and broke her leg. She is recovering from her injury. She is expected to be off work for 9 months during her recovery.
If you were in Diane’s situation, how likely would you be to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to apply - Extremely likely to apply]
How likely do you think Diane is to qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to qualify - Extremely likely to qualify]]
Deleted
If Diane had been experiencing symptoms and out of work for more than a year, do you think she would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [DURATION]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
If Diane became unable to work as an attorney, do you think she would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [CURRENT JOB]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
V4. Bill is 58 years old and has a high school education. He has worked most of his life at an auto manufacturing plant. He has developed severe arthritis as a result of this work. Six months ago, his auto plant relocated overseas and Bill was laid off. He has since developed clinical depression. He has not been able to get another manufacturing position in his rural area.
If you were in Bill’s situation, how likely would you be to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to apply - Extremely likely to apply]
How likely do you think Bill is to qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to qualify - Extremely likely to qualify]]
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
Deleted
If Bill were able to do another job instead of manufacturing, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [ANOTHER JOB]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
If Bill were further from retirement age, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [AGE]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
If Bill had more education, such as a master’s degree, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [EDUCATION]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
V5. Daniel is 48 years old and never finished high school. He only speaks Spanish and has asthma. He has worked most of his adult life, but has trouble finding and keeping a job. It is not clear if his health problems or other issues contribute to his difficulties in finding and keeping a job.
If you were in Daniel’s situation, how likely would you be to apply for SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to apply - Extremely likely to apply]
How likely do you think Daniel is to qualify to receive SSDI disability benefits?
[7-point scale: Not at all likely to qualify - Extremely likely to qualify]]
Deleted
Deleted
If Daniel’s health problems were more severe, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [SEVERITY]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
Deleted
Deleted
If Daniel were closer to retirement age, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [AGE]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
If Daniel had more education, such as a high school diploma, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [EDUCATION]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]]
If Daniel were able to speak English, do you think he would be more likely or less likely to qualify for SSDI benefits? [ENGLISH PROFICIENCY]
[7-point scale: Definitely less likely - Definitely more likely]
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement - This information collection meets the requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507, as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. You do not need to answer these questions unless we display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take about 20 minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. Send only comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: SSA, 6401 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Lisa Lee |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-13 |