Due to our nation’s current deficit problems and the sequestration debate occurring in Congress, there has been some discussion about reforming the country’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
SSDI is a federal benefit program that provides monthly payments to workers who have become significantly disabled before reaching their retirement age, and who now need government support to help them pay their bills.
While there may have to be budget cuts, it is very important that we protect and strengthen SSDI because its beneficiaries are hard-working Americans who can no longer work, through no fault of their own, and many would have nowhere to turn without these benefits.
SSDI is a federal benefit program that provides monthly payments to workers who have become significantly disabled before reaching their retirement age, and who now need government support to help them pay their bills.
While there may have to be budget cuts, it is very important that we protect and strengthen SSDI because its beneficiaries are hard-working Americans who can no longer work, through no fault of their own, and many would have nowhere to turn without these benefits.
The taxpayers receiving benefits have already paid into the program.
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes are taken out of a worker's paycheck along with the other state and federal taxes deducted. These FICA deductions specifically go towards paying for the Social Security program including SSDI. So when someone is injured and can no longer work, they are not asking for charity. In effect, throughout a worker's entire career, the deductions from his or her weekly paycheck were simply premiums funding this insurance policy.
The taxpayers seeking SSDI benefits need them.
Only individuals who have been injured and are no longer able to work are eligible to receive benefits under SSDI. Substantial medical evidence must be submitted to prove the disability is real, and renders the workers who are applying for benefits unable to work. Because of their disabilities and their inability to earn a living anymore, many of these workers have no means of support and would literally be homeless without the help of these benefits.
Due to limited resources and a smothering backlog of applications, it already takes too long for workers to receive benefits after applying for them. It typically takes two years or more for workers to begin receiving SSDI benefits. The good news is that when they are approved for benefits, the payments are retroactive and are calculated from the date of of disability.
Anselmo A. Alegria
aaa@alegriabarovick.com
aaa@alegriabarovick.com
No comments:
Post a Comment