RELEASE: REP. HILL REINTRODUCES BILL TO REFORM SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE AND SUPPORT AMERICANS RETURNING TO WORK

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 16, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) reintroduced the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Return to Work Act. This is the fifth time Rep. Hill has introduced this legislation, once for each session since he took his respective position in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
“Since entering Congress, I have been a strong advocate for strengthening SSDI to keep it financially secure for those who need the benefits and to incentivize those who don’t to return to work. Every American and Arkansan has the capacity to productively contribute to their community and support our economy. My bill jumpstarts that by encouraging capable beneficiaries to regain their independence.”
 
Further Background:
 
H.R. 6428 - SSDI Return to Work Act: This bill aims to strengthen Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and ensure the program remains viable to support future generations of citizens that truly require assistance.
 
SSDI is particularly critical to a state like Arkansas, where more than 140,000 of our state’s population receive benefits through the program. About 4.6% of Arkansans rely on the program because they are truly, permanently disabled and unable to work, a percentage 72% higher than the national average.
 
Since 1970, the SSDI program has grown from $3 billion to $146 billion. During this time, the number of beneficiaries in the program nationally has grown from 2.7 million to almost 9 million. Even when accounting for inflation, beneficiaries are now receiving nearly double each monthly payment.
 
Specifically, this bill:
 
  • Requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to establish new disability classifications that will determine a beneficiary’s likelihood of medically improving. If the SSDI beneficiary has a chance of medically improving, the bill asks the SSA to conduct continuing reviews that will determine the beneficiary’s need to continue receiving SSDI benefits.
  • Requires the SSA Commissioner to advertise the Ticket to Work Program to SSDI beneficiaries at the time they are awarded benefits and every six months thereafter.
  • Amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include qualified SSDI beneficiaries. WOTC is a federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals meeting certain criteria.
 
Rep. Hill has introduced the SSDI Return to Work Act in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021 during the 114th, 115th, 116th, and 117th Congresses. Previously, Rep. Hill has introduced this legislation alongside fellow Arkansan, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR).

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