Sen. Lankford Applauds Commitment to Prevent Social Security Disability Fraud

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release:

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the news from the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to expand the anti-fraud initiative, the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program.

"Social Security Disability Insurance is a program put in place to protect Americans who become disabled before retirement," said Lankford. "Sadly, a program that was made to help those in need is being taken advantage of by individuals who do not need this support. The decision by the Social Security Administration to expand this anti-fraud initiative is a positive step to ensure the program can efficiently and effectively serve those who truly need it."

Lankford is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction for the solvency of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Senator Lankford has been a long-time advocate for reforming the SSDI program in order to strengthen the program for disabled Americans and reduce fraud and waste within the program. In October 2015, Lankford offered a robust reform proposal, as an amendment to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, to improve the adjudication process for appeals and reconsiderations; prevent individuals from receiving SSDI who are not disabled; and ensure stronger program integrity, processing and oversight. Lankford also included his reform in his second annual government waste and solution report, Federal Fumbles.