AMAC is proud to support H.R. 2135, the “Promoting Opportunity for Social Security Applicants Act.” This legislation was introduced by Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and sets forth an important employment service to individuals seeking to return to work. AMAC recognizes that many individuals need assistance reentering the workforce and that they could benefit tremendously from the employment support service outlined in this piece of legislation. AMAC believes that this employment support service will reduce the number of individuals that continue to cycle through the DI application process and will put them in a better position to improve their financial and personal welfare. AMAC appreciates Congressman Johnson’s commitment to make improvements to the disability program and is especially pleased that this bill promotes opportunities to those trying to return to work.
April 30, 2015
The Honorable Sam Johnson
3rd District, Texas
2304 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Johnson,
On behalf of the 1.3 million members of AMAC, the Association of Mature American Citizens, I am writing to offer support to your bill, the “Promoting Opportunity for Social Security Applicants Act.” This timely piece of legislation provides an important employment service to individuals who apply for, but are not awarded, Disability Insurance (DI) benefits.
Under the “Promoting Opportunity for Social Security Applicants Act,” the Commissioner of Social Security would be required to provide denied DI applicants information on employment support services. AMAC recognizes that many individuals who are not awarded DI benefits need assistance reentering the workforce and could benefit tremendously from an employment support service. With added employment support from the Social Security Administration, AMAC feels that individuals capable of engaging in substantial gainful activity will be less likely to continue to cycle through the DI application process.
In 2008, more than 1.5 million individuals were initially denied DI benefits, and the vast majority did not file a claim to appeal the decision. Even so, the initial DI application process can be lengthy, with an average wait of over 100 days. Studies indicate that this time spent out of the workforce trying to prove a claim that may ultimately be denied reduces the employment of denied applicants by 2.4 percentage points. While this bill would not affect individuals who choose to move through the appeals process, the support services may offer positive employment opportunities that put them in a better position to improve their financial and personal welfare.
AMAC greatly appreciates your ongoing commitment to address the looming insolvency of the DI Trust Fund and to make much needed improvements to this program. We are especially pleased to see that promoting opportunities for individuals trying to return to work is a core component of that commitment. AMAC will continue to advocate for this bill, the “Promoting Opportunity for Social Security Applicants Act,” as well as other commonsense ideas that stand to improve the lives of mature Americans and seniors.
Sincerely,
Dan Weber
President and Founder of AMAC