The federal disability programs in the United States are failing those who need them the most. According to a recent report by the Los Angeles Times, the Social Security Administration’s disability programs are experiencing severe backlogs, long wait times, and inadequate funding. As a result, thousands of disabled Americans are being forced to make difficult choices, such as paying for rent or medicine, or going without food or necessary medical care.
The federal disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are designed to provide financial support to those who are unable to work due to a disability. However, the programs have been plagued by problems for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse.
According to the report, the backlog of disability claims has increased by 50% since the pandemic began, with some applicants waiting more than two years for a decision. In addition, the programs are facing a funding crisis, with experts warning that the trust funds for both SSDI and SSI will be depleted within the next few years.
The consequences of this dysfunction are dire. Many disabled Americans are unable to afford basic necessities, such as food and housing, and are forced to rely on family and friends for support. Some have even been forced to turn to payday loans or other high-interest forms of credit to make ends meet.
The problem has also created a crisis for the states, which are struggling to provide support for those who have been denied federal disability benefits. In many cases, the states are forced to provide emergency assistance, such as food stamps and temporary housing, to those who have been denied federal benefits.
The situation has become so dire that disability advocates are calling for a complete overhaul of the federal disability programs. They argue that the current system is too complex, too expensive, and too slow to provide the necessary support to those in need.
In the meantime, disabled Americans are left to navigate a broken system that is failing them at every turn. As one disability advocate put it, “We have a system in crisis, and it’s only getting worse.”