The Effects of Eliminating Supplemental Security Income Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Eligibility on the Mental Health of Low-Income Substance Abusers
In: Social work in public health, Band 25, Heft 5, S. 438-453
ISSN: 1937-190X
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In: Social work in public health, Band 25, Heft 5, S. 438-453
ISSN: 1937-190X
In: Journal of social service research, Band 37, Heft 3, S. 320-337
ISSN: 1540-7314
In: Journal of sociology & social welfare, Band 35, Heft 1
ISSN: 1949-7652
Prior to January 1, 1997, individuals with drug- or alcohol-related disabilities could qualify for federal public assistance through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. During the welfare reforms of the Clinton administration, this policy was changed resulting in lost income and health care benefits for many low-income substance abusers. This paper examines the historical underpinnings to the elimination of drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A) as qualifying impairments for SSI disability payments. Following this, empirical evidence is presented on the effect this policy change had on the subsequent economic security of former SSI DA&A beneficiaries. Findings indicate that study participants that lost SSI benefits suffered increased economic hardship following the policy change. These findings have important implications for future social welfare policymaking decisions.
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