STATE VARIATIONS IN SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME ENROLLMENT FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of poverty, program generosity, and health on state variations in enrollm ent of children and adolescents in the Supplemental Security Income (S SI) program during recent program expansions. Methods. The relationshi p of state SSI rates for 1989 and 1992 to child poverty, health, and p rogram generosity were determined by multi-regression. Results. The me an percentage of children enrolled grew from 0.36% (1989) to 0.75% (19 92). Poverty rates accounted for 78% of the variance among states in 1 989 and 53% in 1992. Other indicators accounted for little variance. C onclusions. Differences in state poverty levels explained almost all v ariation in SSI enrollment.