Everyone talks about Social Security reform and it is no secret that changes are being made to how Social Security Disability benefits are handled, but some of the proposed changes have certain groups up in arms as to whether or not the proposed changes are really in the best interests of the public. Recently, mental health advocates have become one of the groups of concerned individuals. Why are mental health advocates upset about the proposed changes to the disability qualification process? To understand what has so many people so concerned, you must first understand how mental illness is diagnosed and why certain individuals might not qualify for disability once these changes take effect, even though they may honestly be in need of them.
The Commotion
Why is everyone up in arms about the proposed changes to the way the Social Security Administration may qualify mentally disabled applicants? Right now standardized testing is not required to qualify for disability benefits. In the wording of the proposed changes to the qualification process, it is not clear whether or not applicants for disability benefits whose claims are based on mental disabilities will need to undergo standardized testing in order to qualify for the benefits they need to survive.
Part of the wording of the proposed changes state that standardized testing will not be required to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. However, the proposal goes on to explain the testing that applicants would be required to undergo if requested by an adjudicator. This leaves many wondering whether or not disability applicants really will need to undergo standardized testing to qualify for benefits.
A Lack of Evidence
The reason that so many mental health advocates worry about using standardized testing as a qualification for disability benefits is the fact is that no one has been able to determine whether or not standardized testing can accurately diagnose whether or not an individual's mental illness prevents him/her from being able to work. There are currently no adequate tests available to prove that a disabled individual can or cannot work due to a mental illness. Many fear that the goal of this requirement is actually to reduce the number of mentally ill individuals who would be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, rather than benefiting the public as the SSA claims.
Currently, applications are reviewed by adjudicators who take medical records and recommendations of doctors and psychiatrists into consideration when deciding whether or not to approve a Social Security Disability claim. If standardized tests become a part of the determining criteria, people who should be rightfully entitled to benefits may fall through the cracks due to the fact that no standardized tests exist to accurately determine whether or not a person is mentally fit to work. A person may not be able to perform day-to-day work activities but may pass a standardized test. This could result in a person being denied benefits due to nothing more than the fact that a test cannot accurately make this determination.
Beyond the Financial Ramifications
The proposed change to the way mentally ill patients qualify for disability may have effects that go well beyond an individual's access to monthly Social Security Disability payments. In some cases, individuals who need additional assistance, such as state-funded medical insurance, are required to be on Social Security Disability in order to qualify for these benefits. If the proposed changes to the qualifying criteria come to fruition, these people may not qualify for state assistance due to the fact that they would no longer qualify for Social Security Disability payments.
For Those Already Receiving Benefits
If you are already receiving benefits from the SSA, you should not worry about how the proposed changes to the determining criteria will affect your personal benefits. The SSA has stated that the changes will not affect individuals who are already receiving benefits from the SSA.
With that being said, it is important to note that the SSA has also stated that the standardized testing is not intended to be a mandatory requirement, but rather an alternative resource for adjudicators who need to determine whether or not an individual is truly disabled according to SSA guidelines. However, mental health advocates state that the language in the proposed changes is too vague and needs to be modified to protect individuals who may need Social Security Disability benefits due to a mental illness.
Social Security Disability
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