Usage Trends and Characteristics of SSI Beneficiaries on the Autism Spectrum

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly cash payments to the most financially disadvantaged people with disabilities. For more than 125,000 adults on the autism spectrum, SSI is a vital lifeline that protects against poverty. Without SSI benefits, people may not be able to afford life’s necessities like food, shelter and medications. In 2014 alone, 8.3 million people received SSI benefits at an annual cost of $55 billion. Despite its pivotal importance, virtually nothing is known about people with autism who interact with the SSI program. This research study will use national Social Security Administration data to assess the prevalence, trends, and composition of SSI beneficiaries with autism. To our knowledge, our study is the first to examine the conditions and characteristics of SSI beneficiaries with autism. Findings from this study will help to build a foundation of population-level evidence that can inform the development and evaluation of SSI programs and policies. This study provides the unique opportunity to investigate a large group of financially disadvantaged adults– a profoundly understudied subpopulation in autism research. We will also use findings from this pilot study to develop a funding proposal to NIH that will aim for a more comprehensive and prospective set of research objectives.