Proposed Changes to Social Security Disability Benefits Will Create Burdens for People with Disabilities

Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

January 14, 2020

#AdvocacyMatters Segment

Proposed Changes to Social Security Disability Benefits Will Create Burdens

for People with Disabilities

 

The Social Security Administration has proposed a new rule, if promulgated, would create new burdens for millions of people with disabilities.  Under the proposed regulation, more individuals who get Supplemental Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance would have to prove their disability every two years.

Generally, individuals with disabilities are eligible for two types of Social Security Benefits.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays a monthly benefit to individuals with disabilities and children who have limited income. Social Security Disability Insurance pays a monthly benefit to individuals with disabilities and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.  In all cases, you must qualify for these programs.

The proposed changes would increase the number of individuals who qualify for frequent medical reviews.

SSA is looking to cut $2.6 billion dollars from the disability safety net over the next 10 years.  This regulation is one pathway to that fiscal goal.

Why is this a problem?

The increase in the number of reviews would increase the number of people without legal representation.  Many individuals with disabilities already apply for SSI and SSDI without an attorney.  This new rule would only increase the problem and make individuals more exposed.

The proposed rule would also force many people with disabilities to complete a time consuming and stressful process every two years.

#AdvocacyMatters and we need you to weigh in on this proposed change.

The deadline for public comment is January 31, 2020.

There is a link to the public comment page on our website at www.disabilityrightspa.org.  Just look for this #AdvocacyMatters segment for the information.

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia has lots of terrific resources, including a video that supports advocates in this fight.  We have a link to their advocacy page on our website.

CLS of Philadelphia Action Page

 

Additional Resources

 

Twitter: #NoSocialSecurityCuts

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-disability-benefits_n_5e14b935c5b6c7b859d17b97?ah

https://www.inquirer.com/news/social-security-ssi-ssdi-trump-administration-disability-20191212.html