esquilax posted:

Any occupation (using the technical disability insurance definition) is the definition that SSDI actually literally uses. You are only supposed to be on SSDI if you are unable to perform the work in any occupation. If there are no jobs available in your area, you should be on welfare or unemployment, not SSDI. SSDI is not a replacement for those safety nets but is being used as such because of the reasons listed in the article. That's one of its main points, and seems a cogent one.

What we do with the information that SSDI is being used as that kind of program is a political discussion and the correct response might be to beef up unemployment programs. What I can say is that the return to work programs have been expanded in the past decade (following the lead of private LTD) which helps solve that problem and others, and should continue.