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.
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?
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
ReplyDelete9:57 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?
ReplyDeleteAppears the Act regards whether a claimant could some work/jobs/occupations that exist, and specifically disregards whether the claimant would be hired.
ReplyDeletehttps://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.