Social Security Disability Insurance: Multiple Factors Affect Beneficiaries' Ability to Return to Work

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program, focusing on: (1) the self-reported health and functional status of DI beneficiaries who work while still on the rolls; (2) the occupations, earnings, and benefits of working beneficiaries; (3) factors that working beneficiaries believe were helpful in becoming employed; and (4) working beneficiaries' long-term employment plans, including factors perceived as positively and negatively affecting work plans.