WASHINGTON Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) introduced H.R. 1800, the Guiding Responsible and Improved Disability Decisions Act of 2015 (the GRIDD Act). The legislation would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update the medical and vocational regulatory guidelines for determining disability, which have not been updated since they went into effect in 1979.

Recently, the Social Security Administrations Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report highlighting one of the problems with these outdated rules for cases in Puerto Rico. The OIG found that these rules favor claimants who are unable to speak English, even though Spanish is one of the islands official languages.

 Upon introduction, Chairman Johnson said:

“Hardworking American taxpayers expect Social Security to fairly, consistently and accurately decide who should receive disability benefits. That‘s why it makes no sense that Social Security uses rules from 1979 to decide if someone should receive benefits today! I‘ve been calling on Social Security to update its rules, and the recent Inspector General report just further makes that case. This legislation sends a clear message to Social Security: It‘s time to update your rulesand now. This is what Americans want, need, and deserve.“

House Ways and Means Committee Members co-sponsoring the legislation include Tom Reed (R-NY), Kenny Marchant (R-TX) and Diane Black (R-TN). Other original co-sponsors include Representative Mimi Walters (R-CA).

For more information, click here.

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