What's the Current GOP manufactured debt Crisis? Social Security Reform

[M Kitt]

OK, so this is Post-Election material, not specific to campaign methods (or failures thereof), just looking at the immediate priorities since the GOP has taken control of both houses.

What are these "Immediate Priorities"? Those of us paying attention have seen legislative action proposed for, among other things, the TransCanadian pipeline (no surprise there) and Social Security Reform measures.

The pipeline seems to be getting enough coverage, generally speaking. But let's take a look at SSI, shall we?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10911083

Interesting group, I'll have to browse this material more

[jwirr]

1. Are you referring to SSI or SSDI? They are different.

[M Kitt]

2. Thanks JWIRR. Legitimate point, the attached link for Bernie S. does address this issue ;-)

Disability "Reform" is only the current proposed reduction, guess the GOP sees it as an easier target than full Soc. Security.

And they'll no doubt try to politically link funding for the two programs, although that's not how the accounting actually works.

But I was addressing right wing economic attacks in general, per the other essay links for earlier proposals, including full privatization. As you're likely aware, those links date back to 2010 and earlier. Hell, you could easily reference the attempted SS "Reform" offered under George W's admin. immediately following the 2004 supposed "Re-Election" fiasco.

Thanks again.

[jwirr]

3. What I have been reading about is SSDI and that is actually paid out of the SSA funding. SSI is tax

funded and administered by the Social Security Administration. It is a supplement to SSA and SSDI if your receive only a small amount from the other two programs. I get a very small amount from SSDI and the rest comes from SSI.

What I am surprised about is that the Rs have not gone after that yet. It helps the poorest people.

[freshwest]

5. You mean SSI? They go after it in the state legislatures and try to circumvent federal rules.

Traditionally, Medicaid which is always a part of it, was funded at 51% by the federal government and the states had to follow their regulations as the government had that control. Now with the ACA Medicaid expansion, even more control ceded to the federal government, but the states run by red governors, AGs and legislatures have gone to court to deny Medicaid totally to escape all rules. People are dying because of it, that the ACA expansion was set up to save, and the state leges are the Death Panels we were warned about. Numerous examples from TN, TX, AZ and the like opposing Medicaid.

As far as the SSI straight cash or supplement by states, that is a different thing. The feds don't control it as they do SS and SSDI programs. I may be all messed up but I am running around here and just wanted to bookmark this reply and will work on it later.

[jwirr]

6. I am on SSI and when I need to talk to someone about it I call the Social Security Administration.

They administer it and I don't think the state has anything to do with it. I have never had contact with a state agency.

Their attack on SS and SSDI is because they want to privatize them and get the money into the stock market. SSI is tax funded and does not have money set aside. That is my guess as to why they haven't touched it yet - no money to make them richer.

[freshwest]

7. Are you are SSDI or SSI? The latter is state welfare, not federally administered. SSDI is federal.

It's based on past earned wages.

SSI is a set amount determined by the state legislatures. But such folks can get Medicaid, which has part state and part federal funding, and the amount varies from state to state on eligiblity.

I'm fairly well-versed on SS, SSDI and Medicare; they are federal programs. Medicaid and SSI are not part of the lives of people I know unless they are considered to be indigent or 'catastrophically medically indigent' thus eligible to SSI and Medicaid.

SSI supplements both SS and SSDI is the person is eligible. And it's been a hell of a month for me here, also I haven't been involved in hearings for anyone for some years. Perhaps things have changed.

I onced lived in a redstate with traditional Medicaid and since I've moved many years ago, they have refused the expansion. Where I live we have the expansion for those eligible for Medicaid. The rest remains the same.

My dealings personally have been with the federal programs, except for those people I know who do qualify for Medicaid under the 'catastrophic, etc.' label. With their conditions, it would not matter how much money is in an account for them federally, the condition devours all of that and they are indigent and cannot live without the additional funding.

As far as their getting SSI, they do not as they are being cared for with services under Medicaid and have no use for cash to live on. I think you know what I am talking about.

See you later, jwirr.

[jwirr]

8. Some states have an SSI program but there is also a federal one. Here in MN we have a SSI

program from the state that provides about $80 extra a month. I cannot get it because I live with my grandson. So there is the fed on and then the state one.

[freshwest]

9. See my edit, I am unfamiliar with what you are talking about. I think you are talking about SSDI on

the federal level. Of course you are in a much different situation having family members and a household. I am talking about people are alone and living on the benefits from their wages and those who are in state care.

[freshwest]

10. A link that may clarify things for both of us and other readers:

What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and SSI?

Both SSI and SSDI disability programs offer cash benefits for disabled individuals, but the financial eligibility requirements are very different.

The main difference between Social Security Disability (SSD, or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fact that SSD is available to workers who have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits, while SSI disability benefits are available to low-income individuals who have either never worked or who haven't earned enough work credits to qualify for SSD.

While many people don't distinguish between SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), they are two completely different governmental programs. While both programs are overseen and managed by the Social Security Administration, and medical eligibility is determined in the same manner for both programs, there are distinct differences between the two.

What Is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income is a program that is strictly need-based, according to income and assets, and is funded by general fund taxes. SSI is called a "means-tested program," meaning it has nothing to do with work history, but strictly with financial need. To meet the SSI income requirements, you must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple) and a very limited income.

Disabled people who are eligible under the income requirements for SSI are also able to receive Medicaid in the state they reside in. Most people who qualify for SSI will also qualify for food stamps, and the amount an eligible person will receive is dependent on where they live and the amount of regular, monthly income they have. SSI benefits will begin on the first of the month when you first submit your application.

What Is SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance is funded through payroll taxes. SSDI recipients are considered "insured" because they have worked for a certain number of years and have made contributions to the Social Security trust fund in the form of FICA Social Security taxes. SSDI candidates must be younger than 65 and have earned a certain number of "work credits." (To learn more, see our article on SSDI and work credits.) After receiving SSDI for two years, a disabled person will become eligible for Medicare.

Under SSDI, a disabled person's spouse and children dependents are eligible to receive partial dependent benefits, called auxiliary benefits. However, only adults over the age of 18 can receive the SSDI disability benefit.

There is a five-month waiting period for benefits, meaning that the SSA won't pay you benefits for the first five months after you become disabled. The amount of the monthly benefit after the waiting period is over depends on your earnings record, much like the Social Security retirement benefit.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page5-13.html

I think by this you are more correct than me, although where I've lived the offices are run by state agencies. And I've seen states with draconian rules that cut off benefits... thus my conception that it is state run. Even other programs have state input in them that use federal money. I hope you continue to get your help, it's the ones who have paid in and recieve SSDI who are now being threatened by the GOP with a 20% cut in benefits. The GOP wants all of the social safety net gone. And those who depend on it, huh.

EDIT: It is Federal...

https://www.disability.gov/what-is-the-difference-between-social-security-disability-insurance-and-supplemental-security-income/

[jwirr]

11. That is it. I did not know that some states are in charge of it. That would be terrible. Especially

if those states are not sympathetic. I have only lived in Iowa, Nebraska and now Minnesota. All good states when it comes to this program.

[M Kitt]

4. Yep, as replied to.

But contrived "Economic Crisis" conditions are a GOP specialty, especially concerning Social Security, which as most of us are aware is actually fully funded.

Denial of funding is their primary goal, of course, their "modus operandi". Applies to proposed stimulus programs and funding for infrastructure as well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022798037

Thanks again.

[freshwest]

12. Excellent OPs. I wish I'd seen them then. Our state had its openly named 'Starve the Beast' company

that put in Initatives to defund the government and we have also suffered from the lack of progressive media voices here, as they were bought off. We are and have been facing a crisis in funding and now more radical rightwing and theocratic ideas are put forth as a substitute for sound policies. I did post a bit on Grover doing during the 2012 campaign as well as the Koch brothers. And nothing has changed with any of the GOP or teapublicans since. Thanks for posting here, your analysis is well within our SOP and the issues are still timely for the years coming.

[M Kitt]

13. Freshwest, thanks for the reply and support regarding Soc. Security funding breakdown.

Last edited Fri Jan 30, 2015, 05:36 PM - Edit history (1)

Just read the entire chain of replies, I'm not nearly eligible/retired yet or disabled thankfully, don't qualify for Soc. Security or related benefits. But I'm close enough to have contributed for several decades and fully realize the Right Wing ambition of pillaging Social Security funds before my retirement.

Even if I hadn't contributed to the system across the years and didn't consider that investment to be at risk, why would watching the current GOP proposed "Attrition" policies NOT be disturbing to any sane human being.

They're scavengers of the worst sort who consider conditions of current economic instability to be an opportunity, not only to further enrich themselves at our expense but to politically smother and devastate all potential middle class opposition to their policies.

Accomplished thru theft and decimation of our legacy "Safety Net" holdings, by controlling legislation (and attendant positions of power) that could otherwise have prevented that theft.

Which is in keeping with their complete disregard for the environment, actually. They apparently could care less about generations to come, they're only interested in short term profit at the expense of the rest of us.

Again, thanks.