Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would implement fraud-fighting reforms within the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
The Disability Insurance Protection and Fraud Prevention Act would enhance fraud detection and prevention measures within SSDI to protect the future viability of the program.
“It’s been said that the mark of a wealthy nation is how it cares for the less fortunate in its society,” Graves said. “Absent serious reforms to the SSDI program, the Social Security trustees have declared they will have no choice but to cut benefit payments by 25 percent to all disability beneficiaries. This simply does not have to happen. Although this legislation is no panacea for all the ills of the SSDI program, it is a step in the right direction to fixing the finances of this critical program that the disabled depend on in times of need. We can avoid steep and swift cuts down the road if we are willing to make modest reforms now.”
Graves’ bill would expand the Cooperative Disability Investigations program that pools resources of state and local law enforcement agencies to prevent SSDI fraud. The program provides $17 in savings for every $1 spent.
“Far too many individuals are able to successfully scam the SSDI program because of insufficient oversight efforts,” Graves said. “By increasing the reach of the Cooperative Disability Investigations program, we can both prevent fraud and reclaim millions more dollars from those who game the system.”
The disability criteria evaluation process would be updated under the measure to ensure the program operates as a disability program rather an unemployment program. The bill would also establish pilot projects that focus on early intervention and incentivizing some qualified applicants to forego disability cash benefits for wage supports with part-time work.