Abstract
Group-Specific Barriers and Differences in Program Receipt and Long-Term Implications
Jonathan Zhang, PhD
This study investigates the expansion of the Veterans Disability Program following the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, which represents the largest eligibility extension in VA history. The project quantifies increases in disability applications and recipients, identifies disparities across socioeconomic and demographic groups, and evaluates long-term implications for labor markets, government expenditures, and health outcomes as the veteran population ages. Using comprehensive administrative data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the research leverages health, demographic, and program participation records to provide a holistic view of disability program dynamics. A difference-in-differences design isolates the causal effects of policy expansion on program participation, distinguishing between eligible and non-eligible conditions. The analysis emphasizes disparities in take-up among subgroups defined by age, sex, military rank, and service characteristics, exploring how structural and informational barriers affect participation. Further, the study assesses the impact of VA outreach initiatives such as VetFest events and universal health screenings on increasing awareness and reducing disparities. Forecasting models integrate VA, ACS, CPS, and Medicare data to project the expansion’s long-term effects on labor market participation, disability receipt, and public expenditure. Findings will elucidate how large-scale eligibility expansions reshape the intersection of disability, aging, and economic security, offering policy-relevant insights into the future of veteran support systems and broader disability safety nets.