Trump plans to deny Social Security disability payments to hundreds of thousands of workers
According to an article published by the Washington Post on Sunday, the Trump administration is planning to make it more difficult for older workers to qualify for Social Security disability payments, which currently provide monthly subsistence checks to 15 million Americans. The Post reports that this “is part of an overhaul of the federal safety net for poor, older and disabled people that could result in hundreds of thousands of people losing benefits, according to people familiar with the plans.”
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If the rule removes age as a factor, more older disabled workers will be forced to apply for early Social Security retirement benefits, permanently reducing their monthly income. Those claiming retirement at 62 instead of the full retirement age of 66 years and 10 months receive 30 percent less in benefits for the rest of their lives.
At the same time, the Post reports, “Social Security is working on plans to rescind a Biden-era rule that expanded SSI eligibility for recipients who live with relatives or roommates receiving help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or other public assistance.” Restoring stricter standards could roll back payments for about 400,000 Americans, cutting some benefits by a third or more.
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The latest assault is being spearheaded by Russell Vought, current director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and one of the principal architects of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. During Trump’s first term, Vought pushed for deep cuts to disability rolls. Using the shutdown and the collusion of the Democrats, Vought is now executing the right-wing playbook. Despite Trump’s repeated denials that he intends to attack Social Security and Medicare, both programs are prime targets in his administration’s campaign of social counterrevolution.
Related:
WaPo: Trump plan would limit disability benefits for older Americans
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