What Social Security Means to Us: A Perspective from the DD Community
Social Security is a benefit that has traditionally been associated with the workforce, and retiring employees. However, for the disability community, Social Security benefits are an integral part of Medicaid, Medicare, and the overall welfare of citizens.
Historically, the Social Security system was designed as a benefit to protect and secure US workers after retirement. The system was designed as pay-in and receive-later, meaning the withdrawals from the current workforce’s paycheck directly supports retirees and dependents. However, since its’ establishment in the early 20th century, Social Security benefits have expanded to include individuals with temporary and permanent disabilities and their dependents. With the current state of the economy, it is no wonder why Social Security and its recipients are part of the core issues that need to be addressed for all Americans, with particular focus to the disability community.
Two programs in particular, The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) and The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), are essential to the welfare of Americans living with disabilities (The Arc, 2012). Yet, with impending budget cuts and additional calls for austerity in Washington, D.C. the PABSS and WIPA program are at risk of being cut from Social Security spending.
First, The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), funded through Social Security, it’s the largest advocacy network for people living with disabilities. PABSS provides legal-based advocacy, investigates employment claims, and educates SS beneficiaries on their rights to employment and legal consultation (U.S. Social Security Administration, 2012). PABSS can help beneficiaries with understanding health care, providing transportation and fair wages. Why is this so important to American’s living with disabilities? Without PABSS, the disability community will face additional adversity in gaining employment, understanding their rights as employees, and ensuring that American’s with disabilities are not exploited in the work force.
Next, The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) aids the disability community by funding community-based organizations. WIPA, by providing incentives and consultation for communities, helps construct a workforce that is educated in their rights, as well as gainful participants in the national Social Security system (U.S. Social Security Administration, 2012). WIPA is equally as essential to American’s living with disabilities because its funding provides economic infrastructure that can help ensure fair employment of the disability community.
Additionally, due to the overlapping relationship between Social Security and Medicaid, the upcoming election is crucial to disability community due to the fact that many members of the disability community are also beneficiaries of the Medicaid system (The Red Book, 2012). According to the 2012 edition of The Red Book, released by the federal government, The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) portion of Social Security contributes cash payments to individuals who have limited access to resources (The Red Book, 2012). Most SSI beneficiaries are equally eligible for the federal Medicaid program. In turn, this means that any fiscal cuts to the Social Security program directly influence medical benefits.
Currently, there is a Social Security program from SSI beneficiaries called “Ticket to Work” (Social Security, 2012). This program, works similarly to the WIPA program in aiding SSI recipients in finding employment. However, unlike the WIPA program where funding goes to community organizations, the “Ticket to Work” program connects individuals to private and state agencies, acting as a liaison between employees and SSI beneficiaries (U.S. Social Security Administration, 2012). Nevertheless, the “Ticket to Work” program raises questions in the efficiency of the program in finding a suitable, sustainable network of employment for beneficiaries, whereas the WIPA program directly impacts the community of Social Security beneficiaries.
As noted in the campaigns of President Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney, the topic of Social Security is closely tied to the state of the US economy and the strength of the American workforce. In the upcoming election year, Social Security has become a platform for worker’s reform and general citizen welfare.
Sources:
The Arc. (2012, ). Action alert: Preserve vital programs to help social security beneficiaries work. Retrieved from The Arc Action Center website: http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=61298026
The Presidential Candidates. (2012, ). Obama position on social security. Retrieved from 2012 Presidential Candidates website: http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Obama/Social-Security.php
The Presidential Candidates. (2012, ). Romney position on social security. Retrieved from 2012 Presidential Candidates website: http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Romney/Social-Security.php
Social Security Online. (2012, ). 2012 red book. Retrieved from Social Security website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/overview-disability.htm
U.S. Social Security Administration. (2012, July 23). Protection & advocacy for beneficiaries of social security. Retrieved from Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/work/protectionadvocacy.html#a0=1
U.S. Social Security Administration. (2012, July 23). Work incentives planning and assistance. Retrieved from Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/work/protectionadvocacy.html#a0=1
U.S. Social Security Administration. (2012, March). Your ticket to work: Ssa publication no. 05-10061. Retrieved from Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10061.html#a0=1
U.S. Social Security Administration. (2012, January). A guide to supplemental security income (ssi) for groups and organizations: Ssa publication no. 05-11015. Retrieved from Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11015.html
The White House. (2012, ). Seniors & social security. Retrieved from The White House: President Barack Obama website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/seniors-and-social-security