African Americans with Disabilities and the Social Security Administration's Return-to-Work Incentives:A Potential Clash of Culture and Policy

Because there is a high incidence of work-related disabilities in the African American community, which is due to several factors, African Americans are likely to be recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. In this article, the author reviews SSDI policies and examines cultural variables specific to African Americans that may negate return-to-work incentives. Social cognitive theory is offered as a framework for understanding behavioral responses of African Americans concerning various work incentives, particularly those embodied in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TTW-WIIA). The author offers suggestions for policy revisions and recommendations for research.