Changes to the eligibility rules for Social Security disability benefits by the Trump administration could significantly impact workers, particularly in red states. These alterations are aimed at modernizing the program but may inadvertently exclude many aging blue-collar workers from receiving essential support.
Christopher Tincher, a 55-year-old resident of Cabot, Arkansas, exemplifies the challenges faced by many in similar situations. He began his career in a coal mine in Aflex, Kentucky, before transitioning to various jobs, including working in restaurants and cleaning offices. His tenure as a manual laborer took a toll on his health, culminating in a severe leg infection that led to an amputation below the knee. Despite his struggles, Tincher was initially denied disability benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2018, reflecting a broader issue where approximately 65% of applicants are rejected.
Tincher’s age played a role in the rejection; the SSA prioritizes older workers for disability benefits, particularly those in their 50s. After receiving a prosthetic leg and continuing to work for several years, Tincher applied for disability benefits again in February 2023, desperate for assistance. He was eventually approved in June, receiving just over $1,500 a month in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
As the Trump administration revises the eligibility criteria, many fear that individuals like Tincher could be left without support. The proposed regulations are anticipated to disproportionately affect workers aged 50 to 60, particularly those without a high school diploma who have spent decades in physically demanding jobs. States such as West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama have high proportions of residents reliant on these benefits, yet they lack alternative disability programs.
A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the changes stem from a belief that simply being 50 years old does not constitute a disability. The official claimed that the modern economy offers more sedentary job opportunities, suggesting that older workers can transition to less physically demanding roles. This perspective overlooks the realities faced by those in labor-intensive occupations.
In addition to changing eligibility criteria, the proposed regulations will modernize job listings that the SSA uses to determine whether suitable work exists for applicants with impairments. Age will be largely removed as a consideration, meaning that individuals over 50 could face the same eligibility benchmarks as younger applicants. This shift is projected to affect at least 830,000 individuals, with estimates suggesting that as many as 1.5 million could lose eligibility over the next decade, including dependents of workers.
The administration justifies these cuts on fiscal grounds, citing a massive federal budget deficit and the potential insolvency of the Social Security retirement system within a decade. However, the disability program is funded through its own trust, independent of the retirement program’s finances. Experts argue that reducing disability benefits could lead to more individuals claiming retirement benefits early, ultimately worsening the financial pressures on the retirement system.
Social Security officials from both political parties have acknowledged the need for modernization but emphasize that this should not come at the expense of vulnerable workers. Current eligibility rules consider an applicant’s age, work history, and education level, using a grid system to evaluate whether they possess the skills to perform alternative jobs. The proposed changes would dismantle this framework, which has been in place since the 1970s.
Critics of the new regulations argue that they fail to recognize the unique experiences of workers like Tincher, who began their careers in an era with fewer educational opportunities and more reliance on physical labor. Steve Rollins, a former SSA official, highlighted the disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by manual laborers.
Tincher, who feels fortunate to have received his disability approval, reflects on the emotional toll of asking for help, a sentiment shared by many in his generation. He hopes that officials considering changes to the disability program understand the gravity of their actions, stating, “You don’t know until you’re here, at this point in a working life.”
As the Trump administration prepares to finalize the proposed regulations, the implications for workers dependent on disability benefits remain uncertain. The changes may not only affect individual lives but could also reshape the social safety net for countless Americans, particularly those in physically demanding roles who are reaching the twilight of their working years.