Reps. Neguse, Moore Advocate to Streamline Social Security Administrative Processes
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse and Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI) wrote to Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner, Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, requesting an update on the agency’s efforts to expedite the processing of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and appeals. Both programs provide assistance to Americans who meet the requirements for disability as well as those who are older, blind, or have little to no income. The lawmakers also requested information on how the Social Security Administration (SSA) is working to ensure agency materials are accessible for all individuals, regardless of their specific needs.
“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the backlog of pending SSDI and SSI cases increased exponentially. Social Security employees worked tirelessly to adapt to a new environment, and more must be done to ensure access to these critical benefits,” said Congressman Joe Neguse.
“The process for applying for Social Security disability benefits is difficult to navigate, and only worsened by inaccessible materials and chronic underfunding, despite the program’s growing needs. For vulnerable individuals who are unable to work and are applying for benefits to survive, delays and denials without proper recourse can be frustrating, and at worst, devastating. I recognize that SSA has been severely underfunded and I will continue to fight to increase the agency’s resources. That said, as a Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee member, I join Rep. Neguse in leading the call for improved services, so that both SSA beneficiaries and applicants have access to the timely and accessible information and the benefits they have earned and are owed,” said Congresswoman Moore.
The lawmakers continued on writing: “In 2021, over 9 million people received Social Security disability benefits. According to the National Academy of Social Insurance, over half of all beneficiaries rely on Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security for 90% percent or more of their income. People rely on their benefits for groceries, housing, medicine, and many other essential expenses. Denials and the cumbersome appeals process immediately upends and disproportionately affects people with disabilities. Benefits are interrupted following the denial and often remain paused until a review—which can take anywhere from 14 to 22 months—is complete. People left without their benefits following a CDR are forced to navigate an overcomplicated and inaccessible system with inadequate support.”
"Every day that passes, people with disabilities are losing their benefits for no reason other than an outdated and discriminatory system that is supposed to be designed to help. The consequences of this current system are life-threatening. Unwarranted denials caused by inefficiencies, and inaccessibility are unacceptable and have immediate real-world consequences. Our community members are losing their homes, their medical coverage, and are unduly burdened by the added stress of being forced to navigate a system in desperate need of reform. We implore the Social Security Administration to act with the dire sense of urgency that is needed in addressing these issues, “ said Craig Towler,Community Organizer at the Center for People With Disabilities.
Read the letter HERE.
The letter also requests that within the next 60 days, the Social Security Administration provides a written brief on the steps they are taking to ensure a timely and accurate review of applications and denials, and filings from individuals appealing continuing disability reviews (CDRs). The letter also requests that the SSA provide a list detailing additional resources required to follow through on said updates.
Endorsers include: National Council on Independent Living, Center for People With Disabilities, Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Disabled Resource Services, NorthWest Colorado Center for Independence.
Background
Congressman Joe Neguse has an untiring dedication to assuring widows, new retirees, people with disabilities, and people receiving other benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) are not met with surprise issues or payments. In 2021, Rep. Neguse introduced the Fairness in Social Security Act to ensure that lump-sum Social Security disability payments don’t leave Americans owing large unexpected payments to the IRS. He is also a co-lead of the IDEA Full Funding Act, which supports a law enacted by Congress in 1975 to guarantee every child with a disability has access to educational opportunities.
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