The Trump administration’s proposed changes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) could have significant implications for those relying on this critical program. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), currently under development, seeks to tighten SSDI eligibility, potentially reducing the number of approved applicants by as much as 20 percent. The proposal targets older applicants, changing how age, education, and job experience are evaluated. This proposed overhaul could result in hundreds of thousands losing access to the benefits they depend on, raising concerns over poverty, healthcare access, and the broader social safety net.
This update is set to disrupt SSDI, one of the largest safety net programs in the U.S., which provides assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to severe, long-term health conditions. This article explores what these changes mean for the SSDI program, who will be impacted, and why some lawmakers and experts are voicing strong opposition.
Contents
The Core of the Proposed SSDI Changes
The key feature of the Trump administration’s proposed changes to SSDI is the elimination of key considerations for older workers. For decades, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has used a combination of age, work experience, and education levels to determine if applicants are able to transition into different types of work. Older workers, particularly those over 50 years old, have historically been viewed as having more difficulty transitioning into new roles due to physical limitations and fewer transferable skills.
The new proposal, however, seeks to downplay these factors, making it much harder for older workers to qualify for SSDI. Age, in particular, would no longer be considered a significant barrier when determining a person’s ability to find work. As a result, veterans of long, physically demanding careers may find it nearly impossible to qualify for disability benefits.
Who Will Be Most Affected?
Older Workers at Risk
According to experts, the biggest impact of this proposal will fall on Americans over 50 years old. Older workers account for about 80% of SSDI recipients. These individuals are typically those who have spent decades in physically demanding jobs and are often unable to transition into new, less physically taxing employment due to both age and health limitations.
For instance, those in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture—industries that take a physical toll over time—will face an uphill battle to prove that they are capable of transitioning to office jobs or other sedentary work, especially in the absence of supportive training programs.
Rural Communities and States in the South & Midwest
The Urban Institute reports that the proposal could have a disproportionate impact on people living in rural regions, particularly in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio. These areas have higher rates of SSDI use, and many local residents rely heavily on disability benefits to maintain their livelihoods.
For these communities, the potential 20% cut in approvals could result in significant economic hardship, leaving many people without essential income or healthcare.
The Proposal’s Historical Context and Comparison
This proposed change to the SSDI program is one of the largest adjustments to the program since its creation. If implemented, it could surpass the 1980s cuts to the program under President Ronald Reagan, which were eventually reversed due to widespread backlash.
Even though this proposal is framed by proponents as a way to “modernize the disability adjudication process”, critics argue that it is a drastic reduction in a program that provides crucial support for vulnerable Americans. According to Jack Smalligan, a senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute, if eligibility were reduced by even 10%, it could result in 750,000 fewer individuals qualifying for SSDI benefits over the next decade.
The Economic and Social Impact of Reduced SSDI Access
Reducing SSDI access would not only affect the individuals who lose their benefits but could also have a ripple effect on the broader economy and healthcare system. Disabled workers who lose access to SSDI may be forced to tap into their retirement funds earlier than expected, which could strain their long-term financial stability.
Moreover, individuals who lose SSDI benefits often fail to find new employment due to the limited job market and physical limitations. This could lead to early retirement, reliance on public assistance programs, or poverty for some. As experts have pointed out, while the government argues that there are more opportunities for sedentary work, disabled individuals may face significant challenges in finding suitable roles, particularly if the private sector is not willing to accommodate their health needs.
A Bipartisan Debate on Disability Reforms
While some Republican lawmakers advocate for these changes, arguing that they will encourage a more sustainable and efficient disability system, Democratic lawmakers have vehemently opposed the proposal, citing the devastating impact it would have on vulnerable groups.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) called it “Phase One of the Republican campaign to force Americans to work into old age”, criticizing the proposal as a cut to a program that protects working-class Americans. Additionally, Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP, stated that the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other disability programs were often lifelines for older adults and their families.
Why This Matters?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has been an essential safety net for workers who, due to health issues or injuries, are no longer able to work. The recent proposal to tighten eligibility could result in disqualifying hundreds of thousands of applicants—many of whom worked for decades in physically demanding roles.
The proposed changes will force many older Americans into financial uncertainty, possibly leading to unemployment or poverty. The shift will also disproportionately affect rural and low-income communities, where SSDI is often a lifeline.
If these changes pass, it may set a dangerous precedent for the future of disability benefits and the sustainability of welfare programs in the U.S.
FAQs
1. What is the proposed change to SSDI eligibility?
The Trump administration is proposing to limit access to SSDI benefits, making it more difficult for applicants, especially older Americans, to qualify. The new proposal would remove age, education, and job experience as key factors for eligibility, affecting many workers over 50.
2. Why is the change being proposed?
Proponents argue that these changes will modernize the disability system and make it more efficient. They suggest that more opportunities exist for disabled workers to move into less physically demanding jobs.
3. How will the proposal impact older workers?
Older workers, particularly those with physical disabilities, will likely find it more difficult to qualify for benefits, as the proposal downplays age as a limiting factor in transitioning to new jobs.
4. How many people could lose SSDI benefits under this proposal?
It’s estimated that as many as 750,000 people could lose their SSDI benefits within the next decade if the proposal is implemented.
5. When would these changes take effect?
The changes have yet to be finalized and would need to go through the rulemaking process, including a public comment period, before becoming official.