Potential Changes to Social Security Disability Evaluations Raise Concerns

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is considering significant changes to how it evaluates disability claims, which could lead to the denial of benefits for hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly older adults. A recent study by the Urban Institute indicates that the SSA may reduce the emphasis placed on age when assessing applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These two programs provide financial support to individuals whose ability to work is severely limited by medical conditions.

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The proposed changes could result in a decrease in SSDI eligibility by as much as 20 percent overall, with a potential 30 percent drop for applicants aged 50 and older. Jack Smalligan, a senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute, emphasizes that if these changes are implemented, approximately 750,000 individuals could lose access to benefits over the next decade, including around 80,000 widowed spouses and children reliant on these benefits.

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Rebecca Vallas, CEO of the National Academy of Social Insurance, described the potential impact as “the largest cut to the Social Security disability program in the history of the program.” In contrast, Barton Mackey, an SSA spokesperson, cautioned against speculation regarding the proposed changes, stating that premature assessments could mislead the public and exacerbate fears among those dependent on disability benefits. Mackey assured that any finalized proposals would undergo a standard review process, including a public comment period.

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The potential changes to SSDI and SSI evaluations occur against a backdrop of broader budget cuts affecting older adults. The Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 (H.R. 1) proposes significant reductions to Medicaid, Medicare, and nutrition programs, which advocates argue will severely limit access to essential services for older adults. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that over 1.3 million adults aged 65 and older could lose Medicaid coverage due to these changes.

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Critics, including health advocates, argue that the proposed cuts to public programs disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly older adults living on limited incomes. Rachel Werner, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, highlighted that these cuts are designed to finance tax cuts for wealthier individuals at the expense of those with the lowest incomes. The elimination or restructuring of programs that support aging in place is seen as particularly detrimental.

Webinar recap: Understanding the budget bill’s toll on older adults, and how to tell the story

While the SSA has not yet published specific rule changes, the implications of the proposed adjustments have raised alarms among advocacy groups. The lack of detailed information on the proposed changes leaves room for uncertainty regarding their potential impact on older adults and individuals with disabilities.

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• “This bill paid for tax cuts for the wealthiest by cutting public programs for those with the lowest incomes,” — Amber Christ, Managing Director of Health Advocacy at Justice in Aging

Webinar recap: Understanding the budget bill’s toll on older adults, and how to tell the story

• “Just the sheer scale of how many older workers would be affected is incredibly alarming.” — Rebecca Vallas, CEO of the National Academy of Social Insurance

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• “Speculation on any proposed rule prior to it being published as part of the standard review process only serves to misguide public discourse and stoke fear in those who rely on disability benefits for economic stability,” — Barton Mackey, SSA Spokesperson

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The SSA's potential changes to disability evaluations, coupled with broader budget cuts, pose significant challenges for older adults and individuals with disabilities, raising concerns about their future access to essential support services.

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