Trump’s Proposed 2018 Budget Cuts Will Reduce Social Security

Trump’s Proposed 2018 Budget Cuts
Will Decrease Social Security Disability

Many of our clients have asked our lawyers if the Trump administration’s proposed “budget cuts” will affect Social Security Disability Benefits. Unfortunately, the answer is “Yes.”

Although one of Trump’s core campaign promises was not to cut Social Security –  his proposed 2018 budget now includes billions of dollars in reductions to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits over the next ten years.

In late June, Trump’s Budget Director Mick Mulvaney previewed the administration’s budget, which promised to cut $72 billion from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) over the next ten years.

How Trump’s 2018 Budget Will Reduce Social Security Disability

Mulvaney explained that the goal of the administration was to “push” disability beneficiaries back into the labor force – by withdrawing about $49 in current Social Security Disability Benefits. If enacted, these budget cuts, which are proposed by the Trump administration, will literally kick thousands of people off of their much needed Social Security Disability benefits.

Ironically, these budget cuts will hurt Counties that voted for Trump the most. Time magazine reported that about 45% of Americans live in a county that voted for Trump – but 54% of disabled workers and their dependents live in Trump voter counties. In other words, the very people in the counties who elected Trump have a higher percentage of people who will be affected by his Social Security Disability cuts.

2018 Budget to Reduce Social Security Disability Retroactive Benefits

Trump’s proposed 2018 budget also reduces “retroactive” Social Security Disability benefits. Currently, a disabled worker who is approved for Social Security Disability can “retroactively” collect twelve months of benefits prior to the date of their application. However, under Trump’s new budget, he proposes to reduce the “retroactive” period for collecting SSDI benefits to only 6 months.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities’ Social Security Task Force estimates that this will result in $9.9 billion dollars cut from deserving applicants benefits – costing individuals an average of $7,000 in disability-related expenses.

Why Trump is Breaking His Promise to NOT Cut Social Security

Time Magazine has also pointed out that the Trump administration’s proposal to slash Social Security Disability breaks one of his core campaign promises not to cut Social Security. But his administration continues to defend the cuts by claiming that Social Security Disability (SSDI) is not a “core” part of Social Security.

Trump’s budget would also reduce Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which is available to children and adults who do not have the required “work credits” to collect SSDI.

How Will Budget Cuts to Social Security Disability Affect Me?

This is a difficult question to answer – since the current administration is in such flux, and the details of the proposed 2018 budget have not been finalized. However, contacting your Representatives and Senators to make your voice heard regarding these budget cuts may help.

In the meantime, if you have been disabled and are unable to work, our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys urge you not to delay in applying for your SSDI benefits. Call our Long Beach area Social Security lawyers today, to get your case started before any detrimental changes may be put into effect.

Long Beach Social Security Disability Lawyers: 562-622-4800