Methodology
Explainable, directional scoring.
DisabilityRiskIQ translates public data into population-level, explainable scores for income interruption risk. The goal is to show the drivers behind each score so the tradeoffs are clear.
Directional scoring
Scores compare locations to peers to describe income interruption risk, not individual outcomes.
Signal normalization
Each signal is converted to a percentile and mapped to a 0-100 risk score.
Four risk dimensions
Personal profile, occupational exposure, geographic context, and financial resilience.
Transparent context
Every score is paired with plain-language drivers and tradeoffs.
Versioned framework
Scores refresh as new public data arrives and changes are tracked by version.
How scores are built
- Use the latest available public data for each signal.
- Compare each location to peer locations at the same level (state or city).
- Convert percentiles into 0-100 risk scores, reversing protective signals.
- Average signal scores within each pillar, then average pillars for the overall score.
Scores are directional and informational only. They do not replace individualized advice or predict outcomes.
Primary data sources
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates
- State disability program summaries (agency guidance and statutes)
- Social Security Administration (SSA) disability processing time data
Update cadence
- ACS 5-year estimates release annually; risk scores refresh after new releases.
- State program summaries update as rules change; we revise when guidance is updated.
- SSA wait-time data updates as new reports are released.
- Score recalculations run when data or methodology versions change.