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Senator Lankford Applauds Social Security Administration Decision To Explore SSDI Eligibility Reforms

Press Release

Date: Sept. 18, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Senior Citizens Entitlements and the Safety Net

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauds the Social Security Administration's (SSA) recent decision to seek comments on updating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program's medical and vocational guidelines, commonly known as "The Grid."

On September 14, the SSA announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin the process of considering regulatory changes to update the criteria by which Americans are considered eligible for SSDI benefits. There have been significant changes in technology and workforce demographics since SSA first adopted their vocational factor regulations in 1978. By seeking input, the SSA intends to explore how vocational factors of age, education, and work experience in adult disability claims should be factored into the eligibility decision.

Lankford has been a vocal advocate for reforming SSDI since his time as Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements last Congress. In April 2014, Lankford and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackie Speier (D-CA) asked the Acting Commissioner at the time, Carolyn Colvin, to make 11 reforms to improve the program that could be done without Congressional legislation. One of the recommendations was to update its eligibility criteria to match today's workforce capabilities.

"I applaud the decision by the Social Security Administration to follow through on my recommendation and explore the outdated Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility criteria standards," said Lankford. "A great deal has changed since 1978 and the SSDI workforce eligibility needs to be updated to reflect new employment opportunities and medical advances. The SSDI program is fast approaching insolvency. Immediate major reform is needed to strengthen this program. If we don't reform this program, millions of truly disabled Americans are at risk of losing their much-needed benefits."


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