Explaining Variation in Child SSI Receipt: The Role of Medical CDRs

The administrative processes that govern the delivery of social safety net benefits have important implications for beneficiaries. We use variation in the occurrence of medical continuing disability reviews (CDRs) to explain trends of children receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. CDR frequency is a major driver of SSI caseload dynamics, significantly influencing both program growth and decline. The percent of caseload changes that can be explained by CDRs varied substantially by geography. Understanding these regional variations in a federal program with a uniform set of rules across the entire country is critical to ensuring equitable access to the program.