They have not been making much noise about it so far, but some important disability advocacy groups are proposing a new entitlement program for the disabled. The name given to this proposal is CLASS, Communtity Living Assistance Services And Supports Act. The proposal is for a program run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but if this ever happens, I think it is a good deal more likely to be run by the Social Security Administration. Here are some details of the proposal:
- Financed through voluntary payroll deductions of $30 per month (with opt-out enrollment like Medicare Part B)
- Any individual who is at least 18 years old and actively working would be automatically enrolled (unless they opt out), and pay their premiums through payroll deduction or another alternative method. Any nonworking spouse could enroll in the program and pay their premiums through an alternative payment procedure.
- To qualify for CLASS Act benefits, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have contributed to the program for at least 5 years. Eligibility for benefits would be determined by state disability determination centers and will be limited to: (1) individuals who are unable to perform two or more activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing), or (2) individuals who, due to a cognitive or psychiatric impairment, require supervision, cueing, or hands-on assistance to engage in activities that will enable the individual to perform at least 2 of the following critical life functions: communicating; taking medications; household management; and basic money management.
- To account for differences in independence support needs, there would be two cash benefit tiers. Tier 1 benefits ($50/day) will be payable to eligible individuals who are unable to perform 2 or 3 ADLs or have a cognitive or psychiatric impairment requiring assistance with 2 or 3 critical life functions. Tier 2 benefits ($100/day) will be payable to individuals who are unable to perform 4 or more ADLs or have a cognitive or psychiatric impairment requiring assistance with 4 or more critical life functions.
- Eligibility for CLASS Act benefits would not have any effect on eligibility for Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Medicare, or Medicaid.
There are some problems with this proposal beyond the obvious one of whether it is possible to enact a new entitlement program even in the current political climate. I have strong doubts that the $30 a month deductions would begin to cover the costs of this program. It would be quite difficult to administer. It would exclude those who have been disabled since birth, who are the people most in need of such benefits. Still, I have to give high marks for audacity to those sponsoring this proposal. I hope this gets serious consideration.
