Ted Yoho Offers Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund Reform

This week, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., introduced a proposal to reform the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) trust fund.

On Wednesday, Yoho offered a bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act which would set a flat monthly benefit for all Americans who first apply for the program; end having disability attorneys compensated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and have compensation worked out between  recipients and their attorneys; change medical-vocational guidelines to let applicants return to work and be paired up with more appropriate jobs; and have the SSA look at social media activity when making a disability determination.

Yoho weighed in on his proposal on Thursday, insisting it will help keep the SSDI trust fund intact. 

“According to an annual report on the health of the SSDI trust fund, the trustees concluded that the fund will be exhausted by 2054. While this seems far away- it is within the lifetime of most Americans alive today,” Yoho said. 

“Many Americans rely on this important program and Congress must take actions now to strengthen this program and ensure that it remains solvent for generations to come,” Yoho added. 

Yoho’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Ways and Means and the Oversight and Reform Committees on Wednesday. So far, there is no counterpart over in the U.S. Senate. Yoho has not been able to reel in any cosponsors in the House so far. 

First elected to Congress in 2012 after upsetting longtime U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., in the primary, Yoho has promised to serve only four terms though he has not announced whether or not he will run for a fifth term in 2020. Yoho represents parts of North Florida including parts of Alachua County and Clay County.