While the transition from President Obama to President Trump has seemingly led to news headlines on a daily basis, much of the focus is on personnel issues within the new administration and not on policy reform, which was a priority of the Trump campaign. While the Trump presidency is still in its infancy, we do know that there have been many promises to make cuts in many federal departments, although the Social Security Administration was not expected to be part of the cuts.
This is likely to change, however, as the new budget released this week includes a $1.7 trillion dollar cut to assistance programs and social insurance, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, food stamps and Social Security Disability. It seems as though despite previous promises that he would not cut spending on Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security, the White House is starting to try to form a distinction between “core” Social Security, as White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney put it in an interview in March, which was later confirmed in a follow-up talking points memo.
At this point, no one knows if, or how much, this budget bill, if it passes, will ultimately affect Social Security Disability Insurance, but at the very least it should help encourage anyone considering filing for disability to get moving sooner rather than later.
Social Security Disability is offered to Americans who paid into the system through their payroll taxes. It is made for Americans with disabilities who are not able to maintain gainful employment. In order to qualify, applicants must first prove that they have a true injury, illness or medical condition that is expected to last at least a year or end in death.
Source: Los Angeles Times, “Trump’s budget plan continues his deceitful attack on the disabled – and violates a campaign pledge,” by Michael Hiltzik, May 22, 2017