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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Katherine D.
I would like someone to explain to me why because someone claimed me on their taxes in error and that disqualified me from getting any type of help. It took me three years to get approved for SSDI and I don’t get much and I’m really sick all the time. I could have really used that help. Explain why I don’t qualify. Just because someone used my social in error
Lisa M.
I am waiting for a second appeal sSI so I haven’t worked in 3 years it’s a pen dingin case I have a lawyer so I’m unemployedbut I worked last 20 years but my whole life and paid my taxes will I get a stimouscheck due to I cannot work doctor’s orders
Mary A.
Can someone with ssdi get SSI? Also if a recipient has back taxes owed, will they still the stimulus check? When? I am confused.
Brenda H.
not able to log in says wrong inf or confirmation number is wrong tried calling 2hr wait
Gustavo J.
Try taking care of a Senior headed to Alzheimer’s with ni immediate family A War Veteran but very Timid in his Senior year’s fell and hurt his hip butca friend took him into her home daily care every top notch lefr the Senior complex she has everytjong at the ready so I rent a room next to his found my self out of work now I help clean his poo poo mishaps and p p in his diaper action hard work heavy Anglo man probably babied all his life dosent listen horrible sarcastic stupid look on his face knows what he’s doing he will die in his misery so at least we can do our best and see him through that pension ? and Social Security isn’t gold money and easy to do But a convenient place would surely treat him somewhat restricted and lockdown definitely What to do in this ? Mr Crazy 61 year old oncthe verge6of Retirement I worked also hard in this Country ?? Land of the Free Bullshit that’s a lie
Richard B.
Don’t love the USA …….LEAVE
Deborah
Why was my comment not posted? I had no personal information and it was about both SSI and SSDI as I’m 200% below Federal Poverty Level! I went to IRS site and filled out the non filing form next pg said if you receive SSDI or Railroad Pension you do not have to fill out anything that the money will be direct deposited so I got scared and pressed start over and it deleted all my information, is this going to be a problem?
Chad
I know SSI and SSDI have different rules but why is it that SSI is so much harder on married couples than couples that live together but are not married. The later both get to keep their full amounts but if married they lose 25 percent. And when does it kick in on the first day of award or all the way back to include back pay
Vonda V.
Hi Chad, thanks for using our blog. Keep in mind that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need. SSI guidelines require that if you’re married, we take into account your spouse’s income and resources, when we calculate your monthly SSI benefit amount. We also take into consideration living arrangements, even for those that are not legally married but living together. To understand how the Supplemental Security Income program works, as well as other factors that may affect SSI benefits, visit “Understanding Supplemental Security Income”. We hope this helps.
Marc V.
The SSA undervalues mental disorders, especially if they’re not bipolar disorder or schizophrenia/ schizoaffective. They will have blood on their hands.
Jamie
Agreed
Jeanette W.
There needs to be accountability with social workers who work for local agencies and their oversight at the federal level to Health and Human Services. I live in a poor rural area of Virginia and the waste and the ramp it abuse is something I can’t get anyone to take a look seriously. The War on Drugs is ever going on in this is Ground Zero sidewalk cops kicking doors at night without due process social workers pull in the driveway of the elderly check a few boxes and ignore the clearly predatory nephew and his girlfriend and for kids that are now staying with Grandma. They are giving drug tests to people in high drug areas where there clearly is abuse and the bills for the elderly aren’t getting paid even though they have a guaranteed income to cover their rent. My personal favorite is were they sign up for a caregiver and they pick their cousin or they’re Shady nephew and he doesn’t work 5 days a week 5 hours a day they just put in the time and get a paycheck once a month and he and Social Security recipients split it. The Bender’s that the government uses are the absolute very worst industry there in has to offer and it’s designed that way. No shortage either in the availability of resources beyond what the government provides. Many churches and other organizations who give to the poor and they turn right around and abuse it and hoard things and sell them for drugs and steal from one another. Its vile. My one neighbor, 3rd generation cycle of poverty and addiction in government system abuse, ran around the other day gleefully thrilled that they might get another $2,000 and he is my age and has never worked a day in his life he weighs a metric ton and contributes actively to his own pre-existing condition so much though that he let his toe rot off to avoid having to get a job. But he gets up every day they have bulk cleanup in the municipalities for trash so he can get cool things to try to rip off his neighbors with and some are heavy, awkward, and he’s on every kind of medication known to man has surgery every other week and yet no one knows that he’s raging with a crystal methamphetamine abuse? Yeah right.. oh, and the only vehicle I’ve seen here during this covid-19 down is not any social workers or regulatory agency Personnel checking on the elderly in this neighborhood or the children who have had CPS called. The one guy who has never stopped serving the public is the Dopeman. We have rampant corruption chasing busts and accolades and calling press conferences about their good doing while they corrupt the investigation so these guys get acquitted but they ignore the elder abuse in the system abuse and the people that are getting disability checks while their parents raise their children so they can run the roads and do drugs & they look pretty healthy to me.
For one who raised her kids absent Public Service begging for scraps from the table from their dads who only paid when compelled doesn’t feel like the #metoo Murphy Brown hero they should have treated me like per pop culture. Particularly given that now I’m a pariah for speaking out about abuse in child protective services and Social Services in general who should be the compliance arm of things like this instead of just the enforcement arm of law enforcement so they can jam people up and continue the cycle of poverty and addiction. They actively encourage the weaponization of government to be brought to bear against friends and neighbors as informants but nobody wants to turn granny in we’re buying dope with her social security and save her life and protect her from predatory children because they go and see her at the first of every month. I’m the only person in our small trailer park that has a full-time job and I have had one since I was 14 I am now 45. Every single other person in this neighborhood has more resources available to them and nicer things than I have and they are all on drugs they are all behind on their rent and they are all going to multiple food banks and free events and basically committing fraud across the board but the social worker in question does nothing but pull in the driveway literally.
Any more stimulus money that goes out needs to be distributed for the community good at the local level to make sure the most vulnerable among us are paying for their existence because everybody in this neighborhood also has a brand new flat screen television except for me.
Francis
You are a very bitter person. You’ve managed to blame everyone else for your life except yourself. Slow down, give your brain a rest, and believe, if just for a moment, everyone is trustworthy. The feeling is exhilarating.
SHELBY B.
Sounds to me like you need to get another job and get some more education and training to give you the ability to buy you a flat screen t.v!..I’m not trying to put you down,but your blaming everyone for your financial situation and your the only one that can change that!!..
Susan B.
I know a lot of people will criticize you but i also know that in a lot of cases you are right. There needs to be government oversight concerning these programs and the clueless social workers who do not want to know whats going on in their own communities. I could write a book on the corruption and abuse ive seen.
Sharon C.
What do I do to find out when my stimulus check come I’m disable
Vonda V.
Hi Sharon, thank you for your question. Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who do not have qualifying children under age 17 do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS. You should receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your Social Security benefits. Treasury expects automatic payments for Social Security beneficiaries no later than the end of April and automatic payments for SSI recipients no later than early May. We hope this helps.
Arlene j.
Iam a beneficiary for.my son he is 36yrs and is disability and I file him on my text 2018 2019 and I have a the direct Express green card will I receive the 500 dollars for my son and the 1200 on the direct Express card.
Vonda V.
Hi Arlene, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. Hope this helps!
Nancy
I am still trying to get my disability i have no income and no one takes care of me my cousin accidently was put me on her turbo tax and was suppost to erase it cause i was showing her how to put a dependent down cause she couldnt get her mother finally it took her mother and was suppost to take me off but it didnt i guess so not i get nothing i dont understand it i get nothing cause turbo tax made a mistake my cousin i dont live with and she sure dont take care of me i dont know what to do cant get my disability and now cant even get a stimulus check my life is horrible i give up on it all…