Pappas Joins Effort to Halt Trump Plan to Strip Disability Benefits
Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined over 160 House Democrats in calling for Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano to halt the Trump administration’s planned cuts to Social Security disability benefits. President Trump plans to roll out new restrictions to deny benefits to many people age 50 and older with severe, documented impairments.
President Trump’s plan would result in one of the largest cuts to Social Security disability benefits in history – a reported priority of Russell Vought, a Project 2025 architect who now serves as President Trump’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
“Social Security is an earned benefit and a solemn promise. Weakening age protections while shrinking agency capacity will drive more older Americans with disabilities into poverty and ill health,” the lawmakers wrote. “Our constituents are already facing a healthcare affordability crisis, higher prices due to tariffs and economic uncertainty, and a higher net tax burden due to the Republican Big, Ugly Law. We urge you to abandon unilateral changes to Social Security disability eligibility and refocus your attention on ensuring that all Americans can access their earned benefits.”
The average age for a Social Security disability beneficiary is 56, and many beneficiaries have worked physically demanding jobs in sectors like mining, construction, or manufacturing. As of 2022, almost 42 percent of disability applicants were found eligible due to their age. Payments average only about $19,000 a year for Social Security disability and $9,000 a year for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Beneficiaries rely on these modest amounts to help cover housing, food, out-of-pocket medical bills, and other basics.
Their full letter is available here.