Social Security
Social Security includes two Federal programs that provide benefits based on disability and are the largest of several programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Eleven million people with disabilities and their families, about one third of recipients, rely on social security for their survival. Workers who pay Social Security taxes qualify for disability and retirement benefits, and, if they die, their spouses and children receive survivors' benefits. People with disabilities may receive Social Security's retirement, survivors, and disability insurance benefits based on their work history, age, or eligibility category. AUCD works to ensure that the Social Security Act and its programs remain solvent and strong.
News
9/14/2012
AUCD Signs onto CCD Social Security Task Force Testimony
House Ways & Means Committee Hearing on SSDI
On Friday, September 14, 2012, Chairman Johnson and the House Ways & Means Committee held its fifth and final hearing on securing the future of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program. Marty Ford, of the CCD Social Security Task Force, presented testimony on behalf of over 15 national disability rights organizations, explaining the importance of the SSDI program for people with significant disabilities and the ways in which it could be strengthened.
Ways & Means SSDI Hearing - Marty Ford.pdf
[download]
2/8/2012
CCD Submits Statement for the Record on the Future of the SSDI Program
AUCD signed onto the Statement for the Record written by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force. The statement is in response to the January 24th House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee hearing focusing on waste, fraud and abuse in the Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI).
CCD statement WM SSDI hrg 1-24-2012.doc
[download]
7/29/2011
Social Security Check Guarantee Act of 2011 (H.R. 2581)
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) and six cosponsors introduced H.R. 2581, the Social Security Check Guarantee Act of 2011.
7/29/2011
The Seniors Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 2590)
Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and 18 cosponsors introduced H.R. 2590, the Seniors Protection Act of 2011, on July 19, 2011.
Resources
12/17/2012
Factsheets on Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for low-income disabled children are back in the news, in part because of a recent New York Times column by Nicholas Kristof (see letter from SSI coalition for download). Unfortunately, the program is being subject to some sharp criticism that is based on misunderstanding of key issues related to SSI for poor children with disabilities. Discussion and debates concerning this program should be rooted in facts and data, not impressions, misimpressions, and anecdotes. Here are some key documents released this month which present basic facts about the program and try to clear up some significant misunderstandings.
11/12/2012
CCD Factsheet on Supplemental Security Income
Preserving SSI Benefits for Adults and Children
In August 2012 the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report, ?Supplemental Social Security Income: Payments to Multi-recipient Households.? This factsheet provides an overview as to how the changes proposed in the SSA report may negatively impact the recipients of SSI who are able to reach or slightly exceed the incredibly low federal poverty guidelines through economies such as shared rent.
CCD SS Fact Sheet - Preserve SSI for Adults and Children FINAL 10-31-12.doc
[download]
11/12/2012
CCD Factsheet on the Need to Prevent Cuts to Social Security Benefits
Millions of people with disabilities and their families rely on the Social Security disability, retirement, and survivors programs to meet their basic needs. The CCD Social Security Task Force strongly supports taking steps sooner rather than later to achieve the long-term financial solvency of the Social Security system. The issue report outlines the key principles and policies that the taskforce strongly supports.
CCD SS Fact Sheet - No Cuts to Social Security Benefits FINAL 10-31-12.doc
[download]
Related Links
Disability and Social Security webpage
Resources and information from the CCD Social Security Task Force
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force
from http://www.c-c-d.org
CCD Task Force monitors activity regarding SSDI and SSI support programs.
National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
President Obama's bipartisan Commission is charged with identifying policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run.
Social Security Works
The Social Security Works mission is to protect and improve the economic status of disadvantaged and at-risk populations.
Strengthen Social Security Campaign
A coalition of over 125 national and state organizations working to strengthen Social Security.
The National Academy of Social Insurance
from http://www.nasi.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the nation's leading experts on social insurance.
Social Security History
from http://www.ssa.gov
Socialsecurity.gov's collection of the institutional history of the Social Security Administration and the history of the Social Security program. Includes text of the 1935 Social Security Act.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
from http://www.ssa.gov
