Aspects of Disability Decision Making: Data and Materials

19. Study of Beneficiaries Awarded DI Benefits in 1996 and Their Experience with Returning toWork and Leaving the Disability Rolls—(Mathematica Policy Research Study)SSDI Awards:591,493(100%)Employed:165,801(28.0%)Completedtrial workperiod: 60,761(10.3)Benefitssuspendedafter findingwork:38,546 (6.5%)Benefitsterminatedafter findingwork:21,829 (3.7%)Source: This chart is taken from the Disability Policy Research Brief, How Many SSDI Beneficiaries Leave the Rolls for Work?More Than You Might Think, by Su Liu and David Stapleton (2010a) for Mathematica Policy Research, and is based on SSAadministrative data.An April 2010 Disability Policy Research Brief by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., followed beneficiarieswho were first awarded DI benefits in 1996 through 2006. It found that:■■28 percent reported earnings of $1,000 or more to the Internal Revenue Service;■■ 10.3 percent completed the trial work period, in which they can work for nine months without loss ofbenefits;■■6.5 percent had their benefits suspended for working at the level of “substantial gainful activity” in thefirst 36 months after completing the trial work period. This 36 month period is known as the “extendedperiod of eligibility”; and■■3.7 percent had their benefits terminated because they engaged in substantial gainful activity after theextended period of eligibility.24 Aspects of Disability Decision Making: Data and Materials