Disability Hearing Could Be Precursor to Plans to Cut Social Security Disability
On February 11, 2015, the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing titled “The Coming Crisis: Social Security Disability Trust Fund Insolvency” to discuss potential problems with funding the Social Security Disability program. At the hearing, which lasted close to three hours and can be heard on an archived webcast, Senator Michael Bradley Enzi (R-WY) stated that “by December of next year [2016] or by early January [of 2017] the [Social Security Disability] program will be broke” and that if no fix is made, “the law governing the program means that benefits for disabled [people] must be cut or delayed.”
This argument should come as no surprise, according to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), as more and more “Republicans [legislators] have made it clear that they intend to pursue ‘entitlement reform,’ which is code for cutting Social Security and Medicare,” as reported by The Washington Post. President Obama wants to reallocate funds within Social Security to cover the deficit, but his plan is opposed by Republican lawmakers.
What is at stake?
If the GOP successfully restricts funding transfers because “we mustn’t simply transfer money from the broader program to the disability program, because that might weaken the program for seniors” despite evidence to the contrary, then steep cuts are ahead for Social Security. In fact, if the Ryan budget passes, we could see a cut of $3.3 trillion just from programs which help people of limited means, which would include not only Social Security Disability but also Supplemental Security Insurance.
The hearing is NOT legislation; as of right now, no cuts have been made to SSD. But all of us who care about the futures of the disabled can see the writing on the wall if the President is unable to reallocate those funds before he leaves office.
What we all must do is stand up and advocate on behalf of the injured and disabled. We must write to our Tennessee and federal legislators and tell them that cutting Social Security would hurt Americans, and that we would not support any efforts to pass laws that would keep help out of the hands of the disabled who truly need it. Together perhaps we can convince our Senators – men and women who are supposed to work for the rest of us – that their personal agendas (regardless of what they are) should never come before serving the American people.
Learn more about Social Security Disability
Bailey & Greer, PLLC understands your concerns about potential changes to the Social Security program. To learn more about impending changes to the law, or for help filing your own claim, please contact our office. Once of our skilled Memphis SSD attorneys will be happy to help you.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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