Washington, DC - Alarmed by a Trump administration proposal to make disabled Americans prove they remain disabled and eligible for continued disability benefits every six months, more than 10,300 veterans and retirees have vehemently told the Social Security Administration (SSA) they oppose the plan. The Alliance for Retired Americans and the Union Veterans Council of the AFL-CIO have joined forces to try to block this change because it will cut benefits to thousands of people who need them.
“This proposal is cruel and dangerous. If it is implemented, 2.6 million people with disabilities will have to overcome unnecessary obstacles just to keep the benefits they are due,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “Social Security disability benefits are earned over years of hard work -- just like retirement benefits. We should make it easier for people to claim the benefits they need and are eligible for, not harder.”
“Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are essential to millions, including 600,000 American veterans,” said Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO. “Stability for our veterans suffering from PTSD and other military-related disabilities is a crucial factor in successful transitions and long term care. It is outrageous to make people jump through hoops every few months to prove that they are still disabled.”
Members of the Alliance for Retired Americans and the Union Veterans Council are urging the Administration to learn from history and reverse course. A similar plan was enacted during the Reagan Administration -- and hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans lost their benefits. The cuts were repealed after a public outcry, but not before thousands of people died.
“Cuts to SSDI are cuts to Social Security, plain and simple,” said Fiesta. “The Administration has offered no justification for this policy and SSA needs to stop this before people die.”
“The hundreds of thousands of veterans who need disability benefits served our country honorably,” said Attig. “Implying that they are receiving something they have not earned is disgraceful, and we call on the
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