This month, the Social Security Administration announced significant changes to disability benefit payments for both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The new changes, which streamline disability evaluations, are designed to reduce wait times and simplify the process for claimants. In response to President Biden’s Executive Order to “Transform Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Restore Trust,” we are pleased to announce changes that will reduce the administrative burden for claimants and help more people with disabilities receive the federal benefits and services they are eligible for.
Learn more about U.S. disability benefits
Most of us don’t want to think about it, but the chances of you becoming disabled are much higher than you might think. That’s why the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits through two different programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you’re currently eligible for or planning to apply for one of these programs, keep an eye out for new changes the federal agency will be making soon.
Individuals who are unable to work due to a physical condition that is expected to last at least one year or that may result in death are eligible to receive disability benefits. This very strict definition of disability is required by federal law. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must not only meet the definition of disability, but you must also have worked for the Social Security Administration for a sufficient period of time and sufficiently recently. Unlike other programs, the Social Security Administration does not provide financial assistance to people with short-term or partial disabilities.
Upcoming changes to the payment of disability benefits
The disability benefits assessment process will be simplified
Effective June 22, 2024, the final rule will limit agencies’ consideration of past work to relevant work from the past five years. Employees often had difficulty recalling the previous policy’s exact requirements for 15 years of work history, resulting in incomplete or inaccurate reporting. Additionally, past employment that began and ended within 30 calendar days will no longer be considered by agencies. The new rule will help ensure reliable ongoing determinations by retaining sufficient information while focusing on recent, relevant work activities, making it easier for individuals to apply for monthly benefits.
Additionally, American beneficiaries should be aware that the Social Security Administration has issued many regulatory changes to improve the disability benefits program, including this final rule. Recently, the Administration stated that it will update the definition of a assisted living home to lower barriers to the SSI program. Additionally, the Administration stated that the value of food will not be considered in calculating SSI benefits. The Administration also stated that it will make the rent assistance exception, currently only available to SSI applicants and recipients who live in seven states, national policy.
The list of occupations eligible for disability pensions will change
In addition to new rules that simplify the disability assessment process, the Social Security Administration will also update the list of occupations used in the eligibility process for this program. When deciding on an adult’s disability application, the Social Security Administration will consider the individual’s ability to accommodate other work-related activities, age, education, and work experience, as well as the work-related activities and the country’s large workforce. The government assesses an individual’s ability to accommodate the large workforce of the national economy based on the Dictionary of Occupations (DOT) and its annexes.
However, 114 DOT occupations that have few work opportunities in each of the nine U.S. Census brackets will not be used in determining a “not disabled” result. In addition, there are 13 occupations that DOT has identified as having evidence supporting a “not disabled” determination that has been questioned in federal court. To determine whether an applicant for disability benefits is capable of performing other types of work, DOT will consider only the most relevant occupations.