Call For Papers: Mccrery-Pomeroy SSDI Solutions Initiative Seeking Proposals To Improve The Social Security Disability Insurance Program

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: November 1, 2014

The McCrery-Pomeroy SSDI Solutions Initiative is now accepting proposals for papers presenting innovative ideas to improve the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system.

The full call for papers can be read at http://www.SSDIsolutions.org/call-papers

BACKGROUND

The SSDI Solutions Initiative (http://www.SSDIsolutions.org) is a project co-chaired by former Congressmen Jim McCrery (R-LA) and Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) dedicated to identifying practical and realistic policy changes to improve the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program for its beneficiaries, those contributing to the program, the economy, and society as a whole.

Selected papers will be presented at a conference in Washington, DC in mid 2015 and included in a consolidated volume that synthesizes major findings. Upon publication, proposals will be disseminated widely and shared with policymakers and experts in advance of the SSDI trust fund's projected 2016 insolvency date.

PROPOSALS

The SSDI Solutions Initiative is soliciting ideas to improve various aspects of the SSDI program. Paper proposals must be sent electronically by November 1, 2014 to info@SSDIsolutions.org, with first drafts due by April 1, 2015, and final drafts due by June 15, 2015. Papers can be written by one or multiple authors and should be written for a broad audience. Authors with sponsors or funders are highly encouraged to submit a proposal, though stipends from the SSDI Solutions Initiative are available as well.

PAPERS

Authors will be asked to put forward innovative ideas or variations of existing ideas to improve the SSDI program in a 10-20 page paper that includes a statement of the problem, a discussion of their idea, and possible intermediate steps to move toward implementing the policy change. The full call for papers which can be found at www.SSDIsolutions.org/call-papers, includes guidelines for writing papers, a recommended structure, and a detailed description of suggested paper topics.

SUGGESTED PAPER TOPICS

Though all topics are welcomed, the SSDI Solutions Initiative is particularly looking for papers addressing one or more of the following topics:

- Improving the Disability Determination Process
- Modernizing Determination Criteria and Program Eligibility
- Strengthening Program Integrity and Management
- Improving Incentives and Support for Beneficiaries to Return to Work
- Encouraging Disabled Workers to Remain in the Workforce
- Improving SSDI Program Interaction with Other Federal, State, Local, and/or Private Programs
- Moving beyond the Current "All or Nothing" System of Awarding Benefits
- Encouraging Employers to Support Disabled Workers

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a notice of intent to apply as soon as possible, along with any questions, to info@SSDIsolutions.org.

Visit http://www.SSDIsolutions.org/call-papers to read the full call for papers with submission details.