In the United States, close to nine million workers currently depend on Social Security Disability Insurance to financially support them after they suffer a long-term injury or illness. These benefits not only support the workers themselves, but also their dependents, making for a total of nearly 11 million people relying on SSDI. According to TIME, many people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are likely to be injured as a result of manual labor performed in more rural areas.
Over the past 20 or so years, the number of people on SSDI has significantly increased, jumping from 7.7 million in 1996 to 13 million in 2015. Some say this increase may have to do solely with age. People born between 1946 and 1964, also known as “Baby Boomers,” are all in their 50s and 60s now. A large number of workers are a part of this generation, and they are more likely to get injured due to their age. There has also been an increase in women in the workforce, making more people eligible for SSDI. Others say the increase in SSD recipients may have to do with changes in work opportunities.
Whatever the reason for the increase, many people may soon see their benefits taken away. President Trump’s proposed budget will cut approximately $70 billion from SSDI over the next decade. Supplemental Security Income will also be cut under the plan. While Trump originally promised not to cut Social Security, Trump’s administration states that SSDI is not a core part of Social Security and therefore can be cut.
While both SSDI and Social Security are run by the Social Security Administration, SSDI takes its money from payroll contributions, as opposed to the direct allocation of funds used to fund Social Security. Although President Trump’s budget may be worrisome, it is not approved, yet, and it may not ever be implemented. Therefore, those who need assistance filing for SSD benefits, appealing a claim denial, or demonstrating why they qualify for continued benefits may want to discuss their situation with a qualified legal professional
Source: TIME, “The Trump Budget Cuts Disability Benefits. That Will Hurt Trump Counties,” Haley Sweetland Edwards, Chris Wilson, May 25, 2017
