Leaders of the Human Resource Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee have been circulating draft amendments to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability program that would make it more difficult for children and adults with mental disorders to qualify for disability benefits. The House proposals are in response to the concerns of combating fraud and abuse in the SSI program. These changes, however, fundamentally restructure the eligibility provisions of the program, and as a result, would have devastating effects on the mental health community.
Currently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers both medical evidence (signs and symptoms of the disabling condition) and functional evidence (how the condition affects the person's day-to-day activities and ability to work) in determining an individual's eligibility for benefits. The House Human Resources Subcommittee now proposes that SSA use only medical evidence in the decision-making process. Functional evidence would only be used in cases in which the SSA felt additional evidence was needed in making a decision. Since most children and adults with mental illnesses present evidence of serious functional limitations when seeking eligibility for SSI payments, this change would prohibit literally thousands of people with mental disabilities from qualifying for this vital income support program. It is important to note that medical evidence alone is not generally decisive or complete when diagnosing mental disorders.
In addition, the subcommittee proposal would cut by 25% the benefits of two SSI recipients who live together. While the subcommittee members deny it, this provision seems to be specifically targeted at people with mental illnesses living in group homes.
First, the changes described above specifically discriminate against children and adults with mental disorders. Since the SSI benefit is already much less than the federal poverty level, this further reduction would create serious hardship.