How Does Funding of Administrative Expenses Affect Equity?

Table of Contents

• Contents 3
• Foreword Equity Scoring and Equal Protection 4
• Note 6
• Acknowledgments 7
• Executive Summary 8
• While many equity analyses of the potential outcomes of federal proposals have 8
• In the case of Social Security benefits payments under the Old-Age Survivors and 8
• Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs are fully funded to 8
• How Does Funding of Administrative Expenses Affect Equity 9
• Why We Focus on Financial Insecurity among Older and Disabled Adults and Evaluate Federal Efforts to Combat It 9
• Policies Targeting Economic Security among Older and Disabled Adults 11
• The Equity Scoring Initiative 13
• Scoring Mandatory versus Discretionary Legislation 13
• Applying Equity Scoring to the Discretionary Appropriations Process 14
• Programs and Activities Funded by Discretionary Appropriations 16
• The Case of the Social Security Administration 16
• Social Security Administrations Administrative Budget 17
• Implications for SSAs Service to the Public 19
• The Disproportionate Effects of Low Funding on Disability Applicants and Beneficiaries 22
• Evidence of Impact of Disability Programs on Applicants and Beneficiaries 23
• Impacts for Applicants and Beneficiaries 24
• Impacts for Applicants Awaiting an Eligibility Determination 24
• Impacts for Denied Applicants 25
• Impacts for Applicants Ultimately Awarded Benefits 25
• Impact of Wait Times and Reduced Service Levels on Program Participation 26
• Participants in Social Security Programs Have Different Racial and Ethnic Backgrounds from Those Receiving Retirement Benefits 27
• What Does the SSA Discretionary Funding Illustrate about Equity Scoring 27
• Implications for Equity Scoring of Appropriations Bills 28
• Implications for Future Funding of SSAs Operations 29
• Appendix A. The Federal Pell Grant Program 30
• Notes 31
• References 33
• About the Authors 36