New Social Security disability legislation proposed

Some of our readers in North Carolina may have seen the news that Senator Marco Rubio — a former presidential candidate — recently proposed legislation that may bring a unique change to the Social Security disability program. According to a recent article, the proposed legislation would require the Social Security Administration to make a determination as to whether or not new applicants for SSD benefits would be expected to recover from their disability.

The legislation calls for resources to be dedicated to helping those applicants who have been designated as a potential person to return to work after recovering from the disability. However, the goal seems to be premised, in part, on the view that those who receive SSD benefits aren’t motivated on their own to return to the workforce if possible. While it is certainly true that many SSD benefits recipients may never recover from their disability enough to return to the workforce, there are millions who are doing everything they can to overcome or recover from their disabilities.

The recent article also notes that since 1970 — when Social Security disability accounted for $20 billion — it has now grown to the point of accounting for $137 billion. Senator Rubio noted that the proposed changes in the legislation are intended to help keep the SSD program solvent.

Social Security Disability benefits are an important financial lifeline for millions of people, including many in the Charlotte area. Therefore, any changes to the SSD program should keep in mind the needs of those who receive benefits. Those who have questions about how this proposed legislation would affect them may want to seek legal advice.

Source: Orlando-politics.com, “Marco Rubio bill pushes healthy Social Security Disability Recipients to get back to work,” Frank Torres, March 15, 2017