December 07, 2020

Trump Administration is Spending its Last Weeks in Office Cutting Social Security Benefits

The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding the Trump Administration’s plan that may eliminate Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for as many as 500,000 Americans, as reported in The Hill:

“The Social Security Administration (SSA) has sent the Office of Management and Budget a proposal that may cut earned Social Security disability benefits for nearly half a million Americans, which has long been a goal of the Trump Administration.

“It is outrageous. The Trump Administration could pull the rug out from millions of Americans, especially older Americans, in the waning days of its Administration. Since the day he took office, President Trump has claimed he would protect Social Security. He is showing his true colors again.

“Changing the formula that determines disability benefits – to eliminate one’s age – is a massive change that could push thousands of Americans into poverty. Social Security’s disability payments are modest, an average of $15,096 each year for the average worker. These benefits are not easy to receive; disabled workers go through a lengthy and rigorous process to determine eligibility.

“We are in a pandemic that is hitting older Americans the hardest. Our government should be helping Americans who can no longer work due to a disability, not scheming to deny them the benefits they have earned over a lifetime of hard work.”

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Contact:  David Blank, dblank@retiredamericans.org