Members of a joint subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means told Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano in their opening statements that administrative barriers are adversely impacting these vulnerable Americans.
“As much as we might like to applaud efficiency wherever it can happen, the fact is that there are 5 million fellow Americans who get below-poverty-level checks from Social Security, and it’s been more than 55 years since Social Security has been enhanced to help the people who deserve it most,” Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.) said.
The efficiencies touted by the SSA include an 89 percent reduction in national 800-number telephone wait times, a 30 percent reduction in field office wait times and a 32 percent cut in the backlog on 1.27 million initial disability claims.
Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) alleged that 75 percent of all children with severe sickle cell disease are initially denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits upon application and that families remain excluded from health care and financial support due to medical impairment listings.
“Many parents of these children must reduce their work hours to help them get the comprehensive care they need and of course, the kids have severe pain,” Davis said. “These parents depend on SSI to help pay the bill.”
Beyond denials, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) noted that SSA red tape is creating a challenge for disabled military veterans who want to return to work.
Some 60 percent of disability beneficiaries express a desire to work, according to House Committee on Ways and Means data.
Less than 1 percent actually leave the program due to confusing regulations that threaten their status.
“We recently advanced legislation sponsored by Congressman Austin Scott, a strong advocate for disabled veterans, authorizing your agency to once again test potential policy changes that might improve access and remove barriers to work for social security disability insurance beneficiaries,” Smith said.
The Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act that Smith referenced is pending review by the House Committee on Ways and Means.
While veterans struggle with complex SSA disability rules, Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) advocated for foster care children who purportedly encounter gaps in communication between state and federal systems that block their benefits.
“When you were here last year, you talked about the issue of children in foster care who receive Social Security survivor or SSI benefits and the importance of SSA working to increase the number of states that have data exchanges in place to ensure children in foster care get the help they need and I appreciate SSA’s attention to this issue and look forward to hearing any updates on where things stand with that,” LaHood said.
The House recently approved the Fostering the Future Act, which aims to improve outcomes for at-risk youth by modernizing the Chafee foster care program.
Also known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, the Chafee program helps with high school graduation, college preparation, career counseling, and job placement as well as finding and paying for safe housing, budgeting, and basic daily living needs.
