There’s been a lot of headlines about DOGE lately and how they are cutting government spending. People who receive Social Security benefits need to know if and how DOGE cuts could impact their Social Security disability benefits. If you’re worried about how DOGE cuts could affect Social Security benefits, you’re not alone.
DOGE is the Department of Governmental Efficiency. It’s a new governmental agency created to improve the effectiveness, transparency, and cost-efficiency of government agencies that spend taxpayer money on services that people depend on and that keep the government running.
Social Security disability benefits and SSI are government programs that people who can’t work rely on to help pay for their living expenses and housing. Many people who rely on SSDI and SSI are now wondering if DOGE cuts will impact their Social Security disability payments.
What Is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
DOGE’s mission is to streamline bureaucratic processes, reduce waste, and enhance service delivery to citizens. By analyzing government operations and reducing wasteful spending DOGE is supposed to streamline government services like Social Security and make sure that taxpayer money is being spent responsibly and according to the existing rules.
What does that mean for the people who receive Social Security benefits, SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and other government programs? No one is really sure yet how DOGE could affect Social Security disability benefits, but since DOGE’s purpose is to find ways to cut spending there are several possibilities for changes to Social Security programs that DOGE could implement to save money.
Potential Changes to Social Security Disability Benefits
Some of the potential changes to Social Security disability benefits that could happen as a result of DOGE overhauling the Social Security Administration are:
Application Process
The current application process for Social Security disability benefits, both SSI and SSDI, takes quite a long time and requires a lot of documentation. It also quires a lot of labor hours because individual SSA employees have to go through each application to make sure the application is complete and evaluate the medical evidence and other documentation submitted with each application.
It's possible that DOGE could change the application process to make it faster and easier for people to submit their completed applications. Having AI or other technology scan applications would reduce the wait time and the amount of labor hours required for processing applications.
Eligibility Requirements
Another possible change that DOGE could make is to change the eligibility requirements for SSDI and SSI. If DOGE changes the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability benefits it would make it more difficult for people to qualify for benefits, but it would speed up the approval of applications because there would be fewer applications to process. Changing the eligibility requirements would likely not impact anyone already receiving Social Security disability benefits, so if you’re already approved for Social Security disability benefits you likely wouldn’t be subject to any changes in eligibility.
Appeals Process
Currently, when you apply for Social Security disability benefits and your initial application is denied, you can appeal that decision. There are many rounds of appeals possible for people whose application is denied.
DOGE may cut the number of possible appeals available or tighten the requirements to qualify for an appeal in order to cut down on the amount of labor that goes into deciding appeals. For example, they could change the appeal process to limit people to one or two appeals.
Or they could require that people submit new evidence proving their disability in order to have their appeal processed. If they change the evidence requirements for appeals that could make it even more difficult to appeal a denial, because most people submit all the evidence they have with their initial application.
Payment Amounts & Cost-of-Living Adjustments
DOGE cannot cut Social Security disability payments. The Social Security Administration’s funding is guaranteed through legislation. That means the only way to change the payment amounts for Social Security benefits is a change in the Social Security Administration budget that is approved by Congress.
However, DOGE can make recommendations to Congress that they limit cost-of-living adjustments or institute lower Social Security disability benefit payments for people who are not yet approved for benefits.
If you are already receiving Social Security disability benefits your benefits will not be reduced unless Congress approves a Federal budget that includes reduced payments for Social Security disability benefits.
If you haven’t yet been approved for SSDI or SSI, the amount of money that you receive when you are approved may be less than the current benefit amount if DOGE recommends a reduced benefit amount and Congress passes a budget that includes lower benefit payments.
Pros and Cons of DOGE’s Influence on Disability Benefits
DOGE’s impact on Social Security disability benefits has both potential benefits and potential risks:
Potential Benefits
If there are changes to the requirements for disability benefits or changes to the application process that could mean that people won’t have to wait as long to get their approval. Faster processing times, reduced fraud, and higher efficiency through technology could make it faster and easier to get approved and to start receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Potential Risks
One of the potential risks that could come from DOGE recommending changes to the way that the SSA administers SSDI and SSI are that new requirements could make it more difficult to get approved for benefits. There could also be a higher risk of having your application denied if AI or other technology is reviewing applications. And, if there are extensive changes to the application process it could mean that applicants have to work much harder to prove they qualify for disability benefits.
How to Prepare for Potential Changes
The best way to prepare for any potential changes in Social Security disability because of DOGE’s influence is to make sure that all of your account information in your MySSA account is current.
You should also make sure that you have copies of your application and all of your medical evidence that proves your disability. It’s also a good idea to speak with a lawyer that specializes in Social Security disability. A Social Security disability attorney will have the latest updates about DOGE influence on Social Security disability benefits and they can help you understand any changes.
Why Working With a Disability Attorney Is Essential
It’s never been more important to have a Social Security disability lawyer on your side. If changes to Social Security benefits are coming, an attorney can help you navigate those changes. An attorney can also represent you if you need to file an appeal for Social Security disability benefits or help you apply for Social Security disability benefits if you haven’t applied yet.
Contact a Social Security attorney in your state today to make sure that you’re prepared for any upcoming changes in Social Security because of DOGE.
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