WI25-04: Differences in SSI, SSDI, and OASI Participation: Evidence from COVID-19 Pandemic Shocks

Social Security (SS) benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), play a vital role in supporting individuals who face economic insecurity and disabilities. Despite their importance, the uptake and accessibility of these programs among certain demographic groups remain underexplored. This project will (1) document trends and disparities in SS benefit receipt among individuals (especially those with disabilities), (2) assess how the COVID-19 pandemic affected understudied deomographic groups with respect to take-up of SSI/SSDI, and (3) evaluate how retirement decisions (and OASI take-up) of various households were differentially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings will be critical for documenting barriers to program participation, understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic differentially affected different populations, and developing policy strategies.