Statement of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives Regarding Social Security Proposals in the Administration’s FY…

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Statement of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives Regarding Social Security Proposals in the Administration's FY 2015 Budget

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 4 -- The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives issued the following news release:

The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), today issued the following statement in response to the release of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal:

"While we applaud the President for listening to the American people and removing the 'chained CPI,' which would have cut Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, from his FY 2015 proposed budget, we are dismayed to see that another Social Security cut remains in the President's proposed budget - one that impacts Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who concurrently receive Unemployment Insurance.

While rare, receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance is consistent and appropriate when eligibility requirements for both programs are met. Such is the long-standing position of the Social Security Administration and the courts. These benefits serve as nothing short of a lifeline for workers with disabilities and their families - buffering them against great hardship in the event that they lose their job through no fault of their own, while testing their ability to return to work. Any reduction in benefits would unfairly single out disabled workers receiving Social Security for differential treatment under the Unemployment Insurance program. Importantly, it would also create disincentives for work, and erode the economic security of Social Security disability beneficiaries and their families.

NOSSCR previously joined in a letter sent by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, expressing strong opposition to the reduction or elimination of concurrent Social Security Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance benefits for workers with disabilities. We will continue to urge President Obama and the U.S. Congress to reject this harmful Social Security cut."

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