SSA and VA Disability Programs: Re-Examination of Disability Criteria Needed to Help Ensure Program Integrity (GAO-02-597)

August 2002 SSA and VA Disability Programs: Re-Examination of Disability Criteria Needed to Help Ensure Program Integrity (GAO-02-597) The three largest disability programs collectively provided $89.7 billion in cash benefits to 10.2 million adults in 2001. However, the Disability Insurance (DI) program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and VA disability criteria reflect neither medical and technological advances nor the labor market changes that affect the skills needed to perform work and work settings. If these federal disability programs do not update scientific and labor market information, they risk overestimating the limiting nature of some disabilities . . .