Following sturdy pushback by advocates and elevated public consideration, the Social Safety Administration, below Commissioner Bisignano’s management, has backed away from proposals that might have made it much more troublesome for folks with disabilities, specifically older adults, to qualify for Social Safety Incapacity Insurance coverage (SSDI).
We’re happy that Commissioner Bisignano has acknowledged {that a} proposal to take away age as a consideration for figuring out incapacity eligibility and different modifications to the incapacity eligibility guidelines could be out of alignment with this administration’s guarantees to not lower Social Safety.
Eliminating age as a criterion within the incapacity dedication course of could be devastating for older staff, particularly those that carry out bodily taxing, harmful jobs. With out entry to SSDI, such staff could be compelled to take Social Safety retirement early to make ends meet, placing the monetary well being of the Social Safety Belief Fund in danger.
City Institute had estimated that the proposed modifications would have decreased the variety of eligible older adults by 30%. Only a 10% discount would lead to 500,000 fewer eligible people total.
We respect Commissioner Bisignano’s resolution to hearken to advocates and the general public, and we stay up for persevering with to work with the company to make wanted enhancements on the Social Safety Administration and to make sure that People have full entry to the advantages they rely on.