Racialized Administrative Burden in Disability Assistance Programs in Two Rural Counties

This study examines the administrative burden imposed by two federal disability assistance programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We consider how communities in two distinct regions of the United States-and their respective institutions-serve as mediators between citizens and the state. We draw on 68 interviews from Clay County, Kentucky, and Humphreys County, Mississippi-two rural counties with high rates of disability assistance but differing racial compositions. Predominately white Clay County recipients described an institutionally supported route to claiming disability assistance. In majority-Black Humphreys County, most recipients described an institutionally neglected route to claiming disability assistance. The rejection rate and average wait times were significantly higher for applicants in Humphreys County than in Clay County. Our results highlight how disparities in access to and treatment by local institutions can create uneven implementation of federal programs.