A profile of clients referred for psychiatric evaluation for Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income: implications for psychiatry.

A study of the psychiatric evaluations of 248 consecutive clients whose cases were in the process of adjudication for approval or renewal of Supplemental Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Income in 1982 and 1983 showed an overrepresentation of individuals with chronic moderate to severe psychiatric impairment. The author suggests that the criteria and guidelines for eligibility for these two programs are too stringent for individuals with psychiatric impairment and that some of these individuals are unable to provide information necessary to build a proper case for disability because of their psychopathology. The implications for psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, and social policy planners are discussed.