The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884), the bipartisan bill successfully renews the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) authority to launch targeted demonstration projects. These programs are designed to test rule modifications that make it easier for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to return to gainful employment without facing immediate, prohibitive penalties or sudden income cliffs.
Under the legislation, the SSA will conduct demonstration projects to discern what changes in program rules would make it easier for SSDI beneficiaries to join or rejoin the workforce. The SSA’s previous authority to conduct demonstration projects expired in 2022.
“With over 60 percent of Social Security Disability Insurance recipients expressing an interest in returning to the workforce but less than one percent leaving the program because of a successful return to work each year, the Social Security Administration’s complex rules and regulations are clearly failing to deliver for too many Americans. Giving the SSA the authority to test innovative ways to better help disabled Americans pursue gainful employment is pure common sense, and this legislation goes a step further to ensure participation in any new system is both voluntary and will not lead to a reduction in income for disability beneficiaries. We must continue to work to slash the bureaucratic red tape and empower more individuals with disabilities to achieve the dignity of work.” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884):
- Fewer than 1 percent of Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries leave the program each year due to work activity, despite 60 percent of beneficiaries reporting they are “work-oriented.”
- Fear of overpayments, benefit cliffs, and confusing program eligibility rules are major hurdles for beneficiaries looking to return to the workforce.
- The Social Security Administration’s authority to conduct demonstration projects, which provides flexibility to test different program rules designed to promote attachment to the labor force and improve work outcomes, expired in 2022.
- The bill reauthorizes demonstration authority for five years to allow SSA to test alternative policies to help promote work for those who are able.
