Congress Debating Social Security Disability

 Posted on February 16, 2015 in Uncategorized

Last month, the new, Republican-led session of the House of Representatives shocked everyone by taking aim Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). The new bill, which has passed, stops all replenishing funds reallocated from the Social Security retirement fund. The bill instantly stirred controversy and has mobilized Democratic lawmakers who are decrying the new policy.

The reasoning for the new changes were cited as suspicion of fraud by many SSD beneficiaries, but political analysts are positing that Republicans have greater designs for Social Security disability program.

As it stands, numerous reasons have been given for the bill by Republicans. They claim:

• That SSDI needs to be halted protect it from fraud
• That the Social Security retirement fund needs to be protected
• That SSDI is a failing program and a burdensome expense on taxpayers

However, as a recent article from Talking Points Memo cites , SSDI pays out far less than the Social Security retirement program does. Annually, SSDI pays about $140.1 billion to disabled Americans while the retirement program pays a whopping $672.1 billion. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities even states a single tax money reallocation to SSDI before 2016 would sustain the program for another thirty three years.

Why the SSDI Changes Now?

Political analysts have a number of theories explaining this attack on the Social Security disability program: it could be an effort to eventually privatize the program or it could be a move for political leverage in anticipation of the 2016 elections. Meanwhile, as the same Talking Points Memo article notes, without a change from this new policy, the SSDI fund will be unable to pay all its current beneficiaries by next year.

Whatever the case may be, this type of political strife has negative effect on millions of disabled Americans who rely on SDDI and puts their future benefits at risk. Our team at Coats & Todd has seen countless times what a positive difference Social Security disability benefits have made in the lives of deserving, disabled workers. We will continue to follow this issue and, more importantly, exhaust every possible avenue in recovering the SSDI benefits our clients need.

If you are currently struggling to receive Social Security disability benefits, then we invite you to call our offices today. A dedicated and compassionate Dallas SSD lawyer is ready to offer a free case evaluation.