Wyden Announces Hearing to Address Barriers to Work for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) convened a hearing on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10 am EDT, to examine the challenges faced by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries in the workforce. The hearing, titled “Work and Social Security Disability Benefits: Addressing Challenges and Creating Opportunities,” explored and proposed solutions to simplify and modernize the programs to better support beneficiaries. Today’s hearing featured expert testimonies from key figures in the field of income security and social security management, including:

• William R. Morton, Analyst, Income Security, Congressional Research Service, Washington, DC
• Susan B. Wilschke, Associate Commissioner, Office of Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD
• Erin Godtland, Assistant Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, United States Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC
• Katherine Zuleger, President, Chicago Social Security Management Association, Executive Committee Member, National Council of Social Security Management Associations, Wausau, WI

Senator Wyden has highlighted the importance of this hearing, emphasizing the need to address the significant barriers that SSDI and SSI beneficiaries face when attempting to enter or re-enter the workforce. The hearing will focus on finding new opportunities to streamline these programs, thereby supporting beneficiaries in their efforts to live and work with dignity.