The Establishment of U.S. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)
The Establishment of U.S. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)
Previously I wrote a brief history of the establishment of U.S. Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Now, let us turn to Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).
In 1972 the U.S. Federal SSI program was established to replace public assistance previously administered by the States (Berkowitz, 2000). Medicare and Medicaid, which were signed into law in 1965 for SSDI recipients, were also added with the 1972 amendments (“History,” 2021).
The SSI program covers aged, blind, and disabled people, including children (Berkowitz, 2000). Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is a needs-based “means tested” program. Eligibility for SSI is based on how much money and assets a person possesses, not work history.
As the name suggests, SSI intended to supplement existing benefits in order to reduce the large number of people living in poverty (Berkowitz, 2000). It was expected that non-disabled low-income seniors already receiving Social Security retirement benefits would make up the bulk of recipients. But the majority of beneficiaries quickly proved to be blind and disabled people of all ages, including children. Many recipients were, and continue to be, people already receiving SSDI below the poverty line.
In 1980 the Federal government attempted to impose increased control over State determination processes for SSDI and SSI in reaction to the unanticipated growth and expense of these programs (Berkowitz, 2000). Many benefit recipients were unjustly disqualified, creating great harm.
In 1984 the Disability Benefits Reform Act sought to correct these missteps by making it more difficult for the government to terminate benefits, especially for those experiencing mental illness (“1986 Disability History,” n.d.). Qualifying disabilities were also expanded to include the combined effect of multiple, non-severe impairments rather than only a single severe impairment.
But even with these and other improvements in the last few decades determination processes for SSDI and SSI almost exclusively use a medical model of disability (Green et al., 2006). These processes and the restrictions placed on disabled SSDI and SSI recipients inhibit the rights and livelihood of those relying on these programs.
Click here to learn more about the Establishment of U.S. Social Security.
For more about how the medical model of disability negatively impacts disabled people receiving Social Security read my upcoming series: U.S. Social Security & the Medical Model of Disability.
Sources
1986 Disability History Report. Social Security History. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.ssa.gov/history/1986dibhistory.html
Berkowitz, E. D. (2000). Disability Policy & History Statement before the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means. Social Security. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.ssa.gov/history/edberkdib.html
Green, M., Eigan, B., Lefko, J., & Ebling, S. (2006, August 1). Addressing the Challenges Facing SSA's Disability Programs. Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis. Retrieved May 15, 2022, from https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v66n3/v66n3p29.html
History. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021, December 1). Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/History
