New Rule Modernizes How We Award Disability Benefits
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: February 24, 2020
The Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society. A successful disability program must evolve and support making the right decision as early in the process as possible. To help us do that, we must modernize the rules and standards we use to evaluate how we determine disability benefits. We are moving forward with a rule change that has been in the works for a number of years and serves to update a more than 40-year-old policy that made the inability to communicate in English a factor in awarding disability benefits. The new rule is effective April 27, 2020.
We are required to consider education to determine if your medical condition prevents work. In 2015, our Inspector General recommended that we evaluate the appropriateness of this policy. Research now shows the inability to communicate in English is no longer a good measure of a person’s education level or the ability to engage in work. The new rule also supports the Administration’s longstanding focus of recognizing that individuals with disabilities can remain in the workforce.
To make the right disability decisions, Social Security disability rules must continue to reflect current medicine and evolution of work. We need to update our rules to keep up with society’s changes.
We owe it to the American public to ensure that our disability programs continue to reflect the realities of the modern workplace. Please share this information with your family and friends.
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About the Author
Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)
Comments
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Bonnie
It’s impossible for someone younger than 65 to have to leave the workforce because of a real disability to survive on the small amount of Social Security that is given it makes you not want to live an very depressing. Can’t survive without help from
Some form of charity. It’s not right for Americans to live below poverty in this rich country
Grandson w.
So are you saying if am I educated with a master degree but have a physical disabilities that will not permit my body to function in a work place I can’t be granted disability. See you in court on my educated disabled master degree holding can’t walk grand dad
Steven
Man you feel weak and tire most of the time recovering from ache and pain all over your body takes 12 hours of sleep USA need to take the medication to know we mentally I’ll people goes through everyday
Christopher B.
So what does this mean for the people already awarded benefits??
Susanne
I’m really worried about this new rule. I have a BS in Biology and have tried to work several full time jobs but my mental illness always gets me. I used my trial to work in 2015 and got off disability last in January but know I’m back on while they consider if I’m still considered disabled. I have honestly really tried to work. I get 1023 a month in disability. I just got a part time job tutoring and I’m hoping to go back to work again once I pull myself back together but for now I rely on disability . I have schizophrenia and mood disorder. I do really try but now I’m worried and confused. Could my disability be taken away because I have an education??
Ryan A.
Maybe we who are disabled can work but everytime our disability interfere with our job we get fired. Then the stress and anxiety about being able to live day to day goes through our heads. Just because we are able body to work doesn’t mean our mental health is good enough to keep a job. Unless you get a federal law passed about refusing to hear, terminating due to disablity, human error, and stop this firing without just cause. I will live on the streets before I go get another job because of all the discrimination I have taken in my life.
Barbara D.
Why can’t we drug test people if they are on SSI. They have no right to get free money when they don’t earn it.
Ray
Hey Barbara you should try getting an education before you spew off a bunch of BS you have obviously no idea about how it actually works first of all you do have to work you pay into the system they take it out of your paycheck if you knew where to look but also you don’t look at your pay stubs because honestly you get paid too much money to care about what they’re actually taken out of your paycheck each time you get paid are you working under the table are you a typical fucking Republican who steals their money from other people and doesn’t give a shit about anybody else but themselves
Patty B.
I think it’s a great idea. Too many lazy people just want a free ride and the rest of us pay for it. So many people know how to work the system and get away with it.
Kimby
According to….?
A “free ride??” When does less than a living wage constitute a free ride?
Reading previous comments shows a huge disparity of opinions between people who are actually on disability and effected by these changes and others…. Who back their opinions on heresay and conjecture
Anonymous
This is not meant to help people and the fact that it’s being advertised like this is laughable. Disability benefits are already difficult enough for people to apply… And you expect more from vulnerable individuals? Shameful.
Cheryl
That’s fine but realize that many mental, emotional disabilities do not allow a person to manage in the workplace. Many of them have memory issues for which they cannot multitask.
The change that needs to take place is to allow the disabled to work what they can w/o taking away their money. That way they can make a little money & be more self sufficient possibly making enough to get off aid.