The Social Security Disability Insurance system has more than 10 million beneficiaries.

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Mr Autor's data suggest that as many as 10% of those losing employment following an import shock obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

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However, these benefits are counted as income and can prohibit a dependent child with disabilities from receiving Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance assistance.

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Meantime, during the years CMHCs were funded, Medicaid and Medicare were created and modifications were made to the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs.

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The sharp deterioration in the job market during the downturn also seems to have affected applications to the Social Security Disability Insurance program, which rose to 2.94 million last year, up from 2.19 million in 2007.

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The accounts could then be further expanded to allow substitution of private life insurance for Social Security survivors benefits, and private disability insurance for Social Security disability benefits.

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