Oct 31, 2019

OMB Approval Sought For Final Regs To Remove Inability To Communicate In English As A Factor In Disability Determination

     The Social Security Administration has sent a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve final regulations to remove inability to communicate in English as a factor in determining disability.
     In a semi-related issue, when is the House Social Security Subcommittee going to hold an oversight hearing featuring the new Commissioner as the star witness? I know that there are weighty matters before Congress but reminding a new Commissioner that there will be consequences if he does things deeply unpopular with the majority party in the House of Representatives is basic.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is the agency position still that this just to deal with Puerto Rico where it is common for a claimant to not be able to effectively speak, read, or write English?

Anonymous said...

It's too broad a brush. I practice in Florida - Realistically speaking, a person who only speaks Spanish wouldnt have trouble finding work here just because they dont speak english. Wish they would take language issues into consideration - especially for older individuals - with some acknowledgement of geographic differences.

Anonymous said...

9:57 Southern Californian here. While a Spanish speaking ablebodied individual can easily find work here, a Spanish speaker who is limited to light work would find it difficult. I imagine it would be the same in Florida correct?

Anonymous said...

Appears the Act regards whether a claimant could some work/jobs/occupations that exist, and specifically disregards whether the claimant would be hired.

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title02/0223.htm
see d2A

Grid items that involve self-reported "inability to communicate in English" essentially give a 5 year "boost" to some people, and the purposes of that should be discussed.