From today's
NY Times:
President Obama next week will take the political risk of formally proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare
in his annual budget in an effort to demonstrate his willingness to
compromise with Republicans and revive prospects for a long-term
deficit-reduction deal, administration officials say. ...
Mr. Obama’s budget
will propose a new inflation formula that would have the effect of
reducing cost-of-living payments for Social Security benefits, though
with financial protections for low-income and very old beneficiaries,
administration officials said. The idea, known as chained C.P.I., has
infuriated some Democrats and advocacy groups to Mr. Obama’s left, and
they have already mobilized in opposition. ...
Mr. Obama will propose ... repeal of a loophole that allows people to collect both disability and
unemployment benefits.
5 comments:
UC benefits should not preclude someone from being entitled to disability. As these benefits can be received promptly after someone stops working - in sharp contrast to the years it can take to get a disability claim through - the most that should happen is an offset - just like workers comp.
Well, it's a start.
It is an offset
Good, every little bit helps!
I never understood the getting both UIB and applying for/getting disability, and why SSA has treated this issue so delicately.
I know there is logical consistency for older folks who can be ready and available to perform sedentary or light work, but would grid out at that level of exertion and are thus still disabled. But for anyone under 50 (aside from the rare bird 45-49 illiterate people with no or unskilled work history), why isn't applying for both an immediate red flag?
I'm the guy who has on multiple occasions made the "these people need government money but disability is not the source" argument. I'm making it again here.
UIB is, by and large (it's different State to State, but many States require that you affirm you are ready and available for work, and oftentimes ensure your compliance with faithfully seeking out that next job) for workers who are not working but are looking for work and (at least tell the State they) expect to return to work.
Disability is for disabled workers (and non-workers...) who cannot work because of their limiting symptoms.
If you're under 50 (unless you are 45-49, illiterate, with no or unskilled work history), it is a complete contradiction to apply for both UIB and disability. I know people need money, but allow me to flog that deceased horse yet again: using one program as a means to provide assistance to folks in a way the program was not designed to be used 1) unduly taxes the program's resources; 2) creates (justified) skepticism and ill will towards the program, which jeopardizes the life of that program (and the beneficiaries it is SUPPOSED to be helping); and, 3) (biggest) provides cover for the real issues that need to be solved.
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