(1) determine whether older people in poverty were being maximally served by SSI policy; and
(2) explore literature related to policy changes that can be made to better serve the elderly poor with respect to SSI.
A comprehensive review of the SSI research as it relates to the low-income elderly was conducted to meet the study's purposes. This review of the literature included congressional documents, empirical sociological and public policy research studies, and general theoretical articles on supplemental security income and public policy.
The reviewed research clearly showed that a substantial portion of the low-income elderly who are entitled to SSI are not receiving it. Several barriers appear to be responsible for this under-utilization.
These barriers were said to be: stringent eligibility requirements; unnecessarily complicated program rules; state-by-state differences in how income is calculated; inconsistent definitions of participant asset limits; lack of assistance to homebound persons; unintelligible and lengthy forms; unclear deadlines; discourteous treatment by intake workers; the stigma associated with receiving benefits; feelings of invasion of privacy; fear of the government; problems verifying information for persons born in other countries; problematic aspects of benefits for widows; transportation difficulties, long waiting times, and verification requirements.
The existing research also showed that the social security system in general is in trouble and that if there is a coming decrease in the growth rate and/or direct cuts in the SSI program, supplemental security income (as well as private pension plans) are probably going to be the primary means of improving the situation of low-income older and elderly people.
As to how to make sure that the system continues to increase in responsiveness to the needs of the low-income elderly,---despite Congressional cuts and/or decreases in gr...