The Social Security Administration's Disability Decision Process: A Framework for Research -- Copyright -- Acknowledgment of Reviewers -- Contents -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Background. -- NEED FOR A REDESIGNED PROCESS FOR PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY -- DISABILITY DETERMINATION-STRUCTURE AND PROCESS -- Disability Claims Process -- Evaluation of Eligibility for Disability Benefits -- The Current Decision Process for Initial Claims. -- Proposed Redesigned Decision Process -- COMMISSIONER'S CONCLUSIONS -- 3 A Framework for Research on the Disability Decision Process -- WHAT IS THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE DISABILITYDECISION PROCESS? -- WHAT ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS MIGHT ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS? -- WILL A PROPOSED REDESIGNED DECISION PROCESS BE WORKABLE AND WILL IT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEMS? -- 4 SSA's Research Plan for the Redesigned Disability Decision Process -- SSA'S RESEARCH PLAN -- PROGRESS TOWARD THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE DECISION PROCESS RESEARCH -- Needs Assessment Research -- Evaluative Criteria. -- Identify Alternative Options -- Review of Functional Assessment Measures -- Identification of Occupational Classification Systems -- Other Disability Decision Programs -- Role of Vocational Factors in Determination of Disability -- Specially Targeted Research. -- Synthesis, Integration, and Prototype Development -- Small-Scale Testing and Field Evaluation -- Laboratory Research -- Pretesting, Pilot Testing, National Survey -- Process Engineering Input -- Program Evaluation and Transition to Implementation. -- Simulation, Modeling, and Analysis of Information Using Established Evaluative Criteria -- Clinical Trials -- Testing in Selected Sites -- 5 Concluding Comments -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- References -- Appendix. REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S DISABILITY DECISION PROCESS RESEARCH -- Acronyms and Abbreviations.