Congress Focus on SSI

Congress is paying close attention to children’s Supplementary Security Income (SSI) benefits.  It was discovered in fall 2010 that some support systems took extra measures to see that their children, who were physically/mentally challenged, received the money as a form of boosting the support systems income.  These measures included putting them on physiological drugs.

Federal government representatives state that the number of children who are physically/mentally challenged receiving income is growing.  However, a child continually getting that income is decreasing.  A government representative stated that pinpointing a medical challenge can be difficult for the Social Security Administration resulting in fraud in some circumstances.

 

Activists are worried that Congress focusing on the social security benefits program could have serious implications.  They worry that if some people abuse it, it could limit the amount for support systems who properly utilize it.  SSI is income obtained by children with rigorous physical/mental challenges.

"Any attempts to cut SSI for low-income children are unacceptable. We cannot allow children who are clearly in need to suffer,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc in a statement.

SSI fraud?:  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/10/28/congress-childrens-ssi/14328/