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Omaha Steve

(98,872 posts)
Wed Jul 9, 2014, 07:33 PM Jul 2014

Social Security Disability Insurance: What Does It Mean to American Workers and Their Families?


Video below story.

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Political-Action-Legislation/13-Things-You-Need-to-Know-About-Social-Security-Disability-as-Republicans-Try-to-Dismantle-It

Earlier today, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) spoke at a Center for American Progress (CAP) event about Republican attempts to use Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as a way to cut and undercut the whole Social Security system. Rather than sticking with the conventional wisdom that Republicans, the media and even some Democrats cling to, Brown argues that what we should be doing now is not just protecting Social Security and SSDI, we should be expanding the programs.

Here are 13 important facts about SSDI you need to know to counter the right-wing spin:

1. SSDI provides protection for 90% of America's workers and their families if a life-changing disability or illness stops them from being able to work and bring in enough money.

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2. SSDI pays modest benefits, averaging just $1,140 per month, less than most workers make before they qualify for the program.

FULL story at link.





Streamed live on Jul 8, 2014
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, protects nearly all American workers and their families in case of a life-changing disability or illness. About 8.9 million disabled workers, as well as 2 million spouses and children, currently receive modest but vital benefits. With action needed to address the program's finances as soon as 2016, SSDI has become a hot topic for Congress, policymakers, and the media.

Join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for a conversation about what SSDI means to American workers and their families and the options for securing the future of this vital program past 2016.

At this event, we will release an issue brief that provides an overview of SSDI and its role in ensuring economic security for American workers, as well as recommendations to ensure the program's continued solvency.

Welcoming remarks:
Neera Tanden, Counselor, Center for American Progress Action Fund; President, Center for American Progress
Keynote speaker:
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman, Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee
Featured speakers:
Melissa Boteach, Vice President, Half in Ten and Poverty and Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress Action Fund
Stephen C. Goss, Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration
Virginia Reno, Vice President for Income Security, National Academy of Social Insurance
T.J. Sutcliffe, Director of Income and Housing Policy, The Arc of the United States
Eva Dominguez, Legislative Representative, Alliance for Retired Americans and Latinos for a Secure Retirement
Moderated by:
Rebecca Vallas, Associate Director, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress Action Fund

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Social Security Disability Insurance: What Does It Mean to American Workers and Their Families? (Original Post) Omaha Steve Jul 2014 OP
I would be for Social Security and SSI being separated yeoman6987 Jul 2014 #1
How Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) QuestForSense Jul 2014 #2
Woah! I didn't know that yeoman6987 Jul 2014 #3
The SSI benefit for 2014 is $721 per month. QuestForSense Jul 2014 #5
"we should be expanding the programs" - yes! bananas Jul 2014 #4
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Jul 2014 #6
K & R ctsnowman Jul 2014 #7
 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
1. I would be for Social Security and SSI being separated
Wed Jul 9, 2014, 07:37 PM
Jul 2014

SSI should come out of the general funding. Social Security should be for ONLY senior citizens. It was a mistake to begin giving out SSI to widows years ago if they were not retired. I would love to see the two separated. Both would probably be better off.

QuestForSense

(653 posts)
2. How Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Wed Jul 9, 2014, 08:42 PM
Jul 2014

SSDI is an earned benefit that focuses on physical and mental impairments that are severe enough to prevent people from engaging in their normal occupations or any other work. Their impairment must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to end in death.

SSDI benefits can be paid to blind or disabled workers, and like Social Security retirement benefits, to their children, to their widows or widowers, and to adults who haven't worked but have been disabled since childhood.

SSI, meanwhile, pays benefits to low-income people who are 65 or older; to adults who are disabled (based on the same definition used by SSDI) or blind; and to children who are disabled and blind. The program is only for people who have very limited income and assets.

Another key difference is how the two programs are financed. SSDI is funded by the Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed people. SSI, on the other hand, is financed by general revenues that the Treasury Department collects to run the U.S. government.

More at the link: http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-06-2012/social-security-disability-insurance-supplemental-security-income.html

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
3. Woah! I didn't know that
Wed Jul 9, 2014, 09:21 PM
Jul 2014

Why do people who get SSI get slandered by people saying they are "stealing" from the Social Security Fund and the reason we are going to have to stop Social Security someday. The explanation you gave me is completely the opposite of what people believe. Thank you for clearing this up. I have heard people say that they hate people on SSI and I always say they can't help it....but now I will not only speak up but explain what the difference is. One thing that might help is changing the name SSI because it is confusing.

QuestForSense

(653 posts)
5. The SSI benefit for 2014 is $721 per month.
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 01:55 AM
Jul 2014

Even with the addition of Medicaid and SNAP benefits, it's not enough to live on. Those who 'believe' that people game the system and 'pretend' to be disabled in order to live high on the hog without working are full of shit. It doesn't work that way. How many people would volunteer to go to prison for the free room and board? 'Haters' are not thinkers, and their ignorance is easily exploited by right-wingers for their own nefarious purposes.

bananas

(27,509 posts)
4. "we should be expanding the programs" - yes!
Thu Jul 10, 2014, 01:14 AM
Jul 2014
Rather than sticking with the conventional wisdom that Republicans, the media and even some Democrats cling to, Brown argues that what we should be doing now is not just protecting Social Security and SSDI, we should be expanding the programs.

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