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XanaDUer2

(10,492 posts)
Wed Mar 17, 2021, 05:17 PM Mar 2021

Found Joe's platform on SSDI!

PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Trump Administration has systematically attacked the Social Security disability programs—from proposing monitoring people with disabilities through social media in order to cancel their benefits, including their health care, to tightening eligibility through a proposal to redefine the number of hours in a work week so some applicants do not receive benefits. The National Council on Disability found that “people with disabilities live in poverty at more than twice the rate of people without disabilities.” To protect the economic security of people with disabilities and increase employment opportunities, Biden will take a holistic approach to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicaid, and other programs to support people with disabilities. He will:

Increase the benefit level for people receiving SSI. Biden will set a federal benefit rate of at least 100% of the poverty level.
Eliminate the five-month waiting period for SSDI and two-year waiting period for Medicare. Biden will work to pass legislation to ensure working people who develop a condition or disability are able to get their Social Security support as well as their Medicare benefits as soon as they qualify.

Eliminate the “benefit cliff” for SSDI. Earnings limits under SSDI can discourage people with disabilities from engaging in employment or internship opportunities when they depend on SSDI funds. Biden will increase this limit and phase out this benefit gradually so people with disabilities don’t have to choose between employment and health care.
Reform the SSI program so that it doesn’t limit beneficiaries’ freedom to marry, save, or live where they choose. Biden will work with Congress and the disability community to eliminate the SSI marriage penalty and “in-kind support and maintenance” provision and raise the asset limits associated with SSI that have not been increased since 1984.

Expand access to tax-advantaged savings accounts, ABLE accounts, which provide people with disabilities a way to pay for “qualified disability-related expenses, such as education, housing and transportation.” Biden will work to pass the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which will make ABLE accounts available to 6 million additional adults with disabilities, including 1 million veterans.

Reverse damage done to Social Security rules by the Trump Administration. President Trump announced that he wants to change the Social Security rules for people who get disability benefits, including SSI and SSDI. His proposed change would require many to re-verify their disability every two years, a tough enough process to get through once, targeting adults with disabilities who are close to retirement, children with disabilities, and people with certain medical conditions including cancer and behavioral disorders. If approved by the Trump Administration, Biden will rescind this harmful proposal.

Strengthen the Social Security Administration. Ensuring that Social Security benefits are easy to access and that field offices and teleservice centers are fully funded is key to our bedrock commitment to seniors and people with disabilities. Cutting Social Security services will only hurt the most vulnerable in our communities. Biden will provide sufficient resources for staffing needs to meet the needs of beneficiaries today and into the future.

Www.joebiden.com/disabilities/

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ratchiweenie

(7,754 posts)
1. My son, who is majorly bi-polar has to try to live on $780 a month. In the northwest that
Wed Mar 17, 2021, 05:30 PM
Mar 2021

barely covers rent for a nice room in shared housing or a studio apartment in the worst part of town.

Response to ratchiweenie (Reply #1)

XanaDUer2

(10,492 posts)
3. I'm bipolar, and should get about $1600/month
Wed Mar 17, 2021, 05:36 PM
Mar 2021

less than half of what I earn, but I'm not getting better and my doctors have found me disabled. I'm so sorry your son only had that amount. Not sure anyone could live alone on that amount. Americans need a guaranteed income.

ratchiweenie

(7,754 posts)
8. The process is so capricious. He had enough working hours to qualify for SSDI but the judge
Thu Mar 18, 2021, 12:27 PM
Mar 2021

decided to give him SSI. That was after about 5 years of constant struggle and red tape. So now he gets the minimum. Maybe he needs to get a disability attorney and try to get SSDI and back pay. We struggled with this for so long we just haven't had the energy to pursue it. I'm 72 and don't think I can go on trying to intervene for him. The process is intentionally very, very complex.

XanaDUer2

(10,492 posts)
9. I'm so sorry
Thu Mar 18, 2021, 04:35 PM
Mar 2021

the system grinds people down.

I have an attorney lined up . I had a free consultation with him. I think you should talk with an attorney. He picks up when I'm turned down the first time. I have 2 doctors ready to assist me. One has worked with my (future) lawyer. I hear age of applicant matters. I'm going to be 56. I apply online myself; then I assume I'll be denied. Then I become the disability lawyers client for the appeal. I'm so sorry. Regular people always get screwed. This is why I hope Joe helps disabled people

intrepidity

(7,275 posts)
4. Do we know whether Trump's plans were enacted?
Wed Mar 17, 2021, 05:38 PM
Mar 2021
Reverse damage done to Social Security rules by the Trump Administration. President Trump announced that he wants to change the Social Security rules for people who get disability benefits, including SSI and SSDI. His proposed change would require many to re-verify their disability every two years, a tough enough process to get through once, targeting adults with disabilities who are close to retirement, children with disabilities, and people with certain medical conditions including cancer and behavioral disorders. If approved by the Trump Administration, Biden will rescind this harmful proposal.

Midnight Writer

(21,696 posts)
6. I've got a good friend on SSDI. He voted for Trump and always votes Republican. Go figure.
Wed Mar 17, 2021, 07:29 PM
Mar 2021

If not for programs conceived of, initiated by, fought for, and supported by Democrats he would be totally up the creek.

equite

(20 posts)
10. bipolar and it's symptoms.
Thu Apr 8, 2021, 09:05 AM
Apr 2021

My son has been diagnosed with bi-polar since he was 15. Now he is 39, yet in his, mind he feels quit capable to start his own electrical business. Has himself in debt, has a vehicle which is broke down. I Been worrying about orange head and what all he was up to. But I hate to see him lose his disability when starting a business is a type of grandiose thing to do. When bi-polar that isn't the total of his symptoms. I do not understand why I be should having oexplain to people that he belueves needs he it and probably will always have the need for somethings extreme. Hopefully Biden is prepared with all this in the back of his mind be when changing the rules. Hopefully NAMI, & NIMH, will do what they should advise wisely.

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