Proposed Disability Changes Could Affect Disability Payments for Many
Category: Disability Law
- 14 Jan 2020
- Posted By admin
According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the new proposed changes to federal disability assistance would likely result in millions of more case reviews and in the process would cut off many disabled recipients.
The federal government is accepting public comments on this matter until the end of the month.
Some speculate these changes could affect millions and will hurt thousands of Americans.
Jen Burdick, a supervising attorney with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, said this: “We think the real intent of this is just to be a backdoor cut to the program.”
Barbara Silverstone, executive director of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, which represents attorneys that represent claimants applying for disability benefits said the following: “While a requirement to complete paperwork and submit documentation at the risk of losing monetary benefits and health care would be challenging for anyone, it is likely more difficult, stressful, and time-consuming for disability beneficiaries, who as a group are older, poorer, and sicker than the general population.”
The changes, as described by the Federal Register, would result in $2.6B cuts in the next ten years, though it would add $1.8B in administrative costs. This seems a bit absurd that they needs to spend $1.8B to save $800M.
Regardless of the way it unfolds, if you are currently receiving SSDI, keep your eyes and ears peeled. You want to stay on top of this so that if is starts to affect you, then you have a chance to legally address the situation. Contact your attorney if you start getting notices of changes to your benefits.
