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Persons with Mental Disorders Who Return to Work Continue To Be Disproportionately Terminated from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits

Social Security Administration (SSA) data reveal that people with mental disorders continue to be disproportionately terminated from SSDI benefits when they return to work, as compared with people with physical disabilities. A review of the 2011 data from SSA does not show improvement from the 2006 data we reviewed in the past.

Mental disorders in this context include mood disorders, organic mental disorders, schizophrenic and other psychotic disorders, intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, autistic disorders, and other disorders.

SSA's report on the SSDI Program states that in the reported program year (2011), persons with mental disorders accounted for only 19.3 of SSDI awardees. In contrast, the same population group accounted for 40.3% of workers who returned to work and consequently had their benefits terminated. Figures 1 and 2 show the relative ratios of beneficiaries with mental vs. physical disabilities who were awarded benefits and those who worked and were terminated, respectively, in the year 2011.

Comparison of SSDI Awards and Terminations for Mental vs. Physical Disabilities⁴

4 Since the graphs are derived from one year's program data, they show the percentages of awards and terminations for each category in the given year, not the subsequent terminations of that year's awards.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant's disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney's fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF's educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.