A major Social Security change that could have impacted hundreds of thousands of Americans has been stopped. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has moved away from a proposal that would have made it difficult for people to qualify for disability benefits.
This change would have cut approximately $82 billion in benefits over the next 10 years. For many families who rely on Social Security to pay for basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare, this reversal comes as a huge relief.
How Big the Impact Could Have Been
A recent report found that this change would have impacted approximately 750,000 people over the next 10 years. Approximately 80,000 widows and children may lose their eligibility because a spouse or parent would not qualify. Overall, this would have resulted in $82 billion in lost benefits across the country.
The results conclude that this proposal would have had a major impact across the country.
What the Proposed Rule Would Have Done
The SSA wanted to change the process of deciding whether a person can work. This rule would have made it much more difficult for older people to qualify for disability benefits.
The problem with this, it that it would have expected thousands of people to change careers or retrain for new jobs, this was unrealistic.
- All those workers who are in their 50s or 60s would be treated as someone in their 20s.
- People with physical limitations could be told to take desk jobs even if they had no experience or training.
- A lot of workers who spent years in physically demanding jobs may have to change career paths.
Many officials were concerned that this proposal did not take into consideration the real life problems that older people face.
Why So Many People Spoke Out
Many warned that the new rule:
- Overlooked the real challenges disabled workers face
- Would push vulnerable families into poverty
- Expected individuals to retrain for occupations they were unable to physically perform
- Did not consider age or health issues
Simply put, this proposal was unrealistic and unfair.
The SSA Has Now Abandoned the Plan
After the many concerns, the SSA then decided to pull back on this proposal.
Although the SSA has not given a detailed public explanation, experts believe several factors influenced the decision:
- The immense public pressure
- Loud concerns from policymakers
- The risk of harming millions of people
Why This Is Such a Big Deal
Stopping the proposal means:
- Benefits Stay in Place
There are hundreds of thousands of Americans who rely on disability benefits, this would ensure that their benefits are not affected.
- Widows and Children Are Protected
Families relying on survivor and dependent benefits will not lose access.
- The $82 Billion Cut Will Not Happen
The $82 billion projection will be null and void.
- Older Workers Won’t Be Forced Into Unrealistic Job Changes
All those older workers who are in their 50s or 60s will not be forced to change careers.
Advocates Call This a Major Victory
Senior advocates and disability rights organisations have referred to the reversal as a “significant win” for vulnerable Americans. They spent months arguing that the proposed rule would harm those who are already suffering, and their efforts were successful.
There are many families who rely on disability benefits as a financial lifeline for essential expenses.
Final Thoughts
As the government made the decision to pull back on this proposal, hundreds of thousands of Americans can be relieved as this will not impact Social Security disability benefits. This rule would have cut back on $82 billion in support, from those who rely on it the most.
As the SSA implements more changes, beneficiaries are urged to keep themselves updated so they stay on track and are aware of what’s happening with their benefits.