Supplemental Security Income and the sick role.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has given the psychiatrically disabled a dependable source of income and helped make it possible for them to live outside state hospitals. The change to SSI has had an important effect on delabeling and decreasing the stigma of receiving Aid to the Disabled. However, the secondary gain inherent in SSI may interfere with social and vocational rehabilitation efforts. The authors present recommendations aimed at making the SSI system more conducive to social integration and rehabilitation.