The War on Social Security Disability Continues

The War on Social Security Disability Continues

As we have previously mentioned in our blog, the current Administration seems to have decided that one way to pay for the large tax cuts passed 2 years ago is to go after those seeking or already receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefit. Now there is news of the Administration’s latest attack on Disability benefits.

With the latest proposal, the Administration wants to change the law dealing with Social Security Disability by stating an applicant’s age is not a vocational factor until they turn age 55 instead of at age 50 as the rules now state. “The proposed rule … would no longer assume age seriously affects a person’s ability to adapt to simple, entry-level work. It would raise the age at which education and work experience are considered in determining eligibility to 55, from 50.”

In layman’s terms, what it means is that the government would begin viewing applicants aged 54 the same way they look at 18-year olds with regards to jobs they could realistically perform. The rationale used is that in the current economy (which will not continue in perpetuum) less people are engaged in physically demanding work and are better educated and therefore more easily able to transition to a new job/career should they suffer a devastating illness or injury that prevents them from being able to continue in their current career.

This may be true, but at the same time, you have to bear in mind that in Alabama, 14.7% of the population does not finish High School, and only 30.9% finish High School; 1.2% are reported as having no education. This covers nearly half (46.8%) of Alabama’s population. Additionally, I don’t know about you, but I am 53 years old and there is no way I could do heavy work the way I could when I was 18, and to change the law to say I could is ridiculous and disingenuous.

A change like this would prevent approximately 500,000 Americans from being able to be awarded disability benefits, many of them Alabamians who would be left in poverty, with no insurance.

Now more than ever, if you or a loved one believes that you are truly disabled and that you have earned your right to disability benefits, it is in your best interest to talk with a lawyer whose practice is concerned with Social Security Disability Law and not one that just takes a case now and then.

If you have questions about your right to Social Security Disability or SSI benefits, don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Disability Attorneys at Powell and Denny today.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t
Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

Alabama Disability Attorneys
Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys
Huntsville Social Security Disability Attorneys

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 6 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.
Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

The War on Social Security Disability Continues