Rehabilitation Dataset Directory: Dataset Profile

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is a nationally representative longitudinal panel survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It collects a wide variety of information including the source and amount of income, labor force details, program participation and eligibility, and general demographic characteristics including a number of health and disability measures. It measures the effectiveness of existing federal, state, and local programs, and estimates future costs and coverage for government programs, such as food stamps. The SIPP provides statistics on the distribution of income and measures of economic well-being in the U.S.

The original survey was fielded three times a year during 1984-2008 with a four-month reference period. This version of the SIPP had core wave files and detailed topical modules.

A significant redesign was instated in 2014. The reengineered 2014 SIPP interview is conducted annually for four years with a 12-month reference period. The main survey incorporates topical module content, although its coverage is less extensive. The benefit is that longitudinal trends in key variables will be available. Going forward, the questionnaire will contain 12 disability measures: the six-question functional limitation sequence from the ACS, covering difficulties with hearing, seeing, cognitive activities, ambulatory activities, self-care activities, and independent living activities; three child functional disability questions; and three work disability questions.

Note that SSA worked with Census to develop a one time SSA Supplement to the 2014 SIPP that collected much of the detailed disability information dropped in the re-engineered 2014 SIPP.

Prior to 2014 panel (many from work limitation topical module): Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular conditions, Cerebral palsy, Diabetes, Epilepsy or seizure disorder, Heart attack, Infectious diseases, Kidney/renal condition, Missing limbs/hand/finger/feet, Multiple sclerosis, Orthopedic conditions, Partial or total paralysis, Pulmonary disorders, Spinal cord injury (SCI), Stroke, Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

2014 Panel: NA 

Prior to 2014 panel (core and topical modules): Ambulatory disability, Cognitive disability, Communication impairment, Intellectual disability, Functional limitations (ADLs & IADLs), Hearing disability, Mental disability, Independent living disability, Self-care disability, Visual disability, Work limitation

2014 panel: ACS 6 question disability series:   Ambulatory disability, Cognitive disability Developmental disability (children), Hearing disability, Independent living disability, Self-care disability, Visual disability

Work limitation

2008 panel: 42,032 households

2014 panel: 29,835 households

United States

1984-2008 panels: Survey three times a year (four-month reference period) for variable duration of panel.

2014 panel: Annual survey (12 month reference period) for four years

Prior to 2014 panel: Relatively large sample size with 4-month reference period. Detailed questions allows analysis of lower prevalence disabilities. Topical modules include detailed questions regarding health, functional limitation status, and medical history. Modules of special interest: The Functional Limitations and Disability module, The Work Disability History module, The Medical Expense and Work Disability module, The Health and Disability and Health Status and Utilization of Health Services module. Because the Functional Limitations and Disability module is repeated, the measures can be used to examine health status over time.

2014 panel: Relatively large sample size with 12-month reference period. Questionnaire annually includes the same set of 12 disability measures: the standard six-question sequence of disability items from the ACS, three child development questions, and three work limitation questions.

CENSUS (all panels/years 1984-onward):

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sipp/data/datasets.html

Data archived on ADDEP at ICPSR (years 1984-2004):

https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ADDEP/search/studies?q=SIPP  

ICPSR includes additional value added information for researchers

Data Use agreement, No cost, Public Use Dataset

Americans with Disabilities:2010 Report

https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2012/demo/p70-131.html 

2014 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) SSA Supplement

Wittenburg, D., & Nelson, S. (2006, February). A Guide to Disability Statistics from the Survey of Income and Program Participation: 

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/edicollect/1195/

U.S. Census SIPP Users’ Guides:

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sipp/guidance/users-guide.html

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