Oppose Trump’s Drastic Cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you in the strongest possible terms to oppose the Trump Administration's proposed cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These cuts, which could reduce the share of qualifying applicants by up to 20%, would be the largest in SSDI history, would devastate families, and break the Republican Party’s and President Trump's promise not to cut Social Security. Not that their promises are worth anything. The proposed rule would make it significantly harder for Americans to qualify for both SSDI and SSI, with particularly severe impacts on applicants over 50 years old. An Urban Institute analysis suggests that even a cut half this size could result in 750,000 fewer people receiving SSDI benefits within a decade. This is deeply concerning, as nearly 80% of disabled workers receiving SSDI are older workers who rely on these benefits for their livelihood. Additionally, these cuts would disproportionately harm people in the South and Appalachia, where there are higher proportions of older workers with less formal education. The impact extends beyond just Social Security and SSI, threatening retirement security, access to health care, and other vital support systems for disabled individuals. In short, financial ruin for NO REASON. It's worth noting that similar cuts implemented during the Reagan era were later reversed due to widespread opposition. We must learn from history and prevent such harmful policies from being enacted again. I urge you to take immediate action to oppose these proposed cuts. Please speak out against this rule change, work with your colleagues to block its implementation, and support legislation that protects and strengthens Social Security, SSDI, and SSI, such as Rep. John Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act. Our most vulnerable citizens are counting on your efforts to safeguard these crucial programs that millions of Americans depend on for their basic needs and dignity. Oppose these cuts. Thank you.