TAKE ACTION: Tell Social Security Not to Create Additional Burdens for People with Disabilities!

The Social Security Administration just announced that it wants to change its rules for people who get disability benefits, including SSI.  Most people would have to prove disability every two years.

If Social Security moves forward with this proposal more than two million people will be at risk of losing benefits over the next ten years.  These are people with severe disabilities who can’t work.

The new rules would hurt people with disabilities.

1. 1. Getting Social Security disability benefits is incredibly burdensome. It can take years to qualify, and the process is time-consuming and stressful.  The new rules would force people to start over just two years later.
   2. Social Security makes mistakes. Social Security does not always follow the law for disability reviews, and people get cut off by mistake.  The new rules would make these problems worse.
   3. More reviews would clog the Social Security system for everyone. People often wait two years or more for Social Security hearings.  The new rules would push more people into the system, creating longer delays for people who need income urgently and cannot work.
   4. There are not enough lawyers to help people. Without a lawyer, most people will not make it successfully through the review process. But many lawyers are not able to handle disability reviews, so people will go without the help they need.

TAKE ACTION!

Here are three things you can do to fight these new rules:

1. 1. Submit Comments to Social Security.  Social Security is collecting comments on the new rules until January 31, 2020.  It will have to read and consider every comment.  Click here to submit a comment.  Below is some sample language, but remember, your comment will be stronger if you personalize it with your own experiences and message. New: Comment Guide for Adult Medical Providers , Comment Guide for Pediatric Medical Providers and CLS’s comments to Social Security.

Dear Social Security Commissioner Saul:

I am writing about the proposed Social Security rule that would make most people getting disability benefits prove that they have disabilities every two years.  I am very worried about the rule.  I do not think it should go forward.

It can be very hard to get disability benefits.  For some people it takes years, and it is a stressful and time consuming process.  More frequent disability reviews will create additional burdens for people with disabilities who cannot work and are struggling with income insecurity.

Even worse, Social Security often makes mistakes when reviewing disability, meaning there is an even greater chance that people who qualify for benefits will be denied and will go without the help they need.  And pushing more people into disability reviews will slow down the system for everyone.

The new rule will put more than two million people at risk of losing benefits over the next 10 years.  This rule would hurt people with disabilities.  Please do not go forward with the rule.

Sincerely,

1. 2. Contact Your Congressperson.  Social Security has to follow the law when it issues the new rules.  Congress can investigate whether the new rules fit with the law.  Ask your Congressional Representative to look into the new rules.  Click here to contact your Congressperson. Not sure what to say? Here is some sample language you can modify:

Dear Congressperson ___Last Name___,

I am writing about the proposed Social Security rule that would make most people getting disability benefits prove that they have disabilities every two years.  Please tell Social Security that it should not go forward with the rule.

It can be very hard to get disability benefits.  For some people it takes years, and it is a stressful and time consuming process.  More frequent disability reviews will create additional burdens for people with disabilities who cannot work and are struggling with income insecurity.

Even worse, Social Security often makes mistakes when reviewing disability, meaning there is an even greater chance that people who qualify for benefits will be denied and will go without the help they need.  And pushing more people into disability reviews will slow down the system for everyone.

The new rule will put more than two million people at risk of losing benefits over the next 10 years.  This rule would hurt people with disabilities.  Please work with Social Security to make sure that the rule does not go forward.

Sincerely,

1. 3. Spread the Word!  Social Security needs to hear from as many people as possible about the new rules.  Please share this page with your friends and colleagues, and on social media.