NY25-11: Enhancing Equity in SSA Services: Addressing the Barriers Faced by Asian American Older Adults in Chinese, Korean, and Indian American Communities

The proposed project aims to address the underutilization of Social Security Administration (SSA) services among Asian American older adults in Chinese, Korean, and Indian American communities, where only 9.7% rely on Social Security as their main income, compared to 18% of the broader elderly U.S. population (Social Security Administration, 2018). This study will investigate the systemic barriers, such as language diversity, cultural differences, and underrepresentation in social services, that prevent these communities from accessing necessary benefits (Urban Institute, 2022). This underrepresentation often leads to poor resource allocation, exacerbating disparities in access and impacting crucial aspects of life such as health and financial security (AARP, 2019). The diversity within the Asian American community often masks the unique challenges they face due to aggregated data, with language proficiency and cultural norms significantly influencing service utilization. Cultural preferences for familial support and language barriers further complicate their interaction with SSA services (Choi & Gonzalez, 2020; Kuo et al., 2018). Socioeconomic factors also play a role, with lower-income Asians facing more significant obstacles in accessing SSA services, which may delay retirement or exacerbate health issues (Lee, 2019).

The project employs a community-based participatory research approach, involving the community directly to ensure cultural sensitivity and build trust. This will enhance SSA's operational effectiveness through informed policy changes and targeted outreach and promote broader understanding among policymakers and the public about the challenges these older adults face. Ultimately, the study aims to support SSA in developing more equitable SSA policies and improving service delivery to ensure all segments of the aging population have access to needed services, aligning with SSA's commitment to equity and inclusion.