Date of Graduation
8-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Education (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders
Advisor/Mentor
Williams, Brent T.
Committee Member
Koch, Lynn
Second Committee Member
Vire, Keith D.
Third Committee Member
Lusk, Stephanie L.
Keywords
Disability; Phenomenological; Return to Work; Social Security
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the essence of the experience of individuals who were denied Social Security Disability benefits and who sought the appeals process. In the first round, five semi-structured face-to-face interviews allow the participants to share their thoughts, feelings, and actions taken and, if any, what life changes occurred during the appeals process. Data analysis using phenomenological methods create textural-structural descriptions from which, in a second interview, applicants choose to confirm, edit, or add to their analyzed interviews. The findings present as seven major themes that describes the phenomenon. They are: (a) procedural unfairness and inefficiencies; (b) losses and changes (c) independence versus dependence; (d) emotional (e) mental effect (f) self-advocacy; and (g) recommendations. These findings describe the experiences of individuals denied social security disability benefits and while seeking appeal. Implications for best practices for rehabilitation counselors and those who provide mental health counseling as well as procedures for the state vocational rehabilitation agencies and the Social Security Administration are presented. Policy and legislative recommendations are outlined as avenues for future research to promote fair disability procedures, financial recovery, independence, and emotional health.
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Citation
Ford, S. A. (2017). During the Wait: A Phenomenological Study on Denied Social Security Dissability Applicants Awaiting Appeal. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2437
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