Bush SS proposal - how will SSI and SSDI disability be dealt with?

[hollowdweller]

So if they will be private retirement accounts would a worker be required to purchase seperate disability insurance? This alone would probably UP the amount taken out of a paycheck.

Also if we make the disability part of SS separate from the retirement part will disability insurance be optional? If so then what about the needs based SSI disability? It comes from the general fund not the trust fund. Would it be given back to DHS like it was in the 70's? If so they you could run into minimum wage workers who couldn't afford to pay disabiltiy insurance having nothing and people who don't work at all getting SSI, which hardly seems fair.

Disability and SSI are fast becoming the largest components of the whole deal yet I have yet to hear how they fit in Bush's vague plan.

[papau]

1. SSDI disability continues but only based on the smaller SS guar benefit

meaning a 47% reduction

Meaning that check that the serverly disabled can barely live off now will be cut and ythey will have to rid themself of all assets - that should not take more than a year for most - so that they can be put on Medicaid - that is if their State feels like doing so. State finances are not that great and the Federal GOP cut the benefits to sick and poor mantra will no doubt be adopted by the GOP controlled states.

[In Truth We Trust]

2. Fuck these commpassionate cons-I say corp/gov reform now!!!!!

[gratuitous]

3. This, my disabled friend, is a Powerball lottery ticket

You could win millions and never depend on a government handout again!

As for what sort of plan actual, feeling human beings with hearts and consciences might do, we probably don't have to worry about that with the Republicans in charge.

[izzie]

4. Maybe Bush will just set a side a state for all these people

Have trouble and we will put you into say this one big state for poor people, It would be better than the Poor Farms once more. Just a poor state. Most of us would not even have to think about it or who is their. Ever so often a F-16 could run over it looking for terrorist and drop a 500 lb bomb. I can not under stand why these people can not save a million dollars to retire like the Republicans.

[elehhhhna]

5. he did. It's called Louisiana.

[cornermouse]

6. people who don't work at all getting SSI, which hardly seems fair

What has been forgotten.

In the not-so-distant past, the disabled were put into an institution to live out their lives, usually as children. Less was known about how to raise them and what to do with them. SSI for disabled children was a cheaper than sending them to institutions.

[demgrrrll]

7. If my husband were to go out on disability right now he would receive

a little over $1500.00 per month and would have the option of using Cobra to cover his insurance bills for around two years. At that point he would become eligible for Medicare benefits. His benefits would be based on his work history and his salary over the years prior to his application for benefits. Right now SSI is based solely on income and not work history. If you are determined to be disabled and have not worked the required quarters you may be eligible for SSI and Medicaid. Any Medicaid eligibility depends on divesting yourself of your assets usually 999.00 for a single person and less than $2000 for a couple. In the past the family home could be inherited by relatives if the will is done properly and the estate does not go through probate. In some instances the family home can be passed on to the next generation. BUT if your will does go through probate the
government can attach the house to cover any medical expenses that were paid through Medicaid during your lifetime. Right now I think SSI payments are a little over 500 dollars. I do not see how anyone can live on half of that amount. I may be a little off on the figures but I think I am close. We need to decide what kind of society we want to be. We are going to have to take care of some people. It is not a "free lunch" it is the difference between valuing human life and becoming monsters.

[cornermouse]

8. "it is the difference between valuing human life and becoming monsters"

I agree completely. I don't like what they're trying to do to the elderly, widows and their children, and the disabled. I think its flat out wrong.

[hollowdweller]

9. You are right or close on the payout.

The thing that helps with SSI is you usually qualify for food stamps, rent assistance and other state benefits.

I work evaluating SSI and SSDI claims, but I work for Disability Determination which mainly deals with the medical determination not how much they get. However I posted this cause I hadn't heard at work or anywhere what the plan was for SSI and Disability.