Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

May/June 2000

Correspondence

PHILLIP M. CRANE, ILLINOIS BILL THOMAS, CALIFORNIA E. CLAY SHAW, JR, FLORIDA NANCY L. JOHNSON, CONNECTICUT AMO HOUGHTON, NEW YORK WALLY HERGER, CALIFORNIA JIM McCRERY, LOUISIANA DAVE CAMP, MICHIGAN JIM RAMSTAD, MINNESOTA JIM NUSSLE, IOWA SAM JOHNSON, TEXAS JENNIFER DUNN, WASHINGTON MAC COLLINS, GEORGIA ROB PORTMAN, OHIO PHILIP S. ENGLISH, PENNSYLVANIA WES WATKINS, OKLAHOMA J.D. HAYWORTH, ARIZONA JERRY WELLER, ILLINOIS KENNY HULSHOF, MISSOURI SCOTT McINNIS, COLORADO RON LEWIS, KENTUCKY MARK FOLEY, FLORIDA

A.L. SINGLETON, CHIEF OF STAFF

JANICE HAYS, MINORITY CHIEF COUNSEL

The Honorable David Price 2162 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear David:

Thank you for sharing the position paper concerning the waiting period for disability benefits provided by your constituent, Mr. Jeffrey Price, president of the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE). We are well acquainted with NADE, as members of the organization have testified before the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security in past Congresses.

I recognize that the five-month waiting period can be a hardship for people with disabilities who have little income or savings to use during these months. When the program was originally set up, it was assumed that the States would pay temporary disability benefits during this period. However, according to the Social Security Administration only five States do. Congress has explored the possibility of eliminating the waiting period in certain cases. However, the Budget Act requires that any such change be paid for by either a payroll tax increase or a reduction of other benefits, making such a change extremely difficult.

I am sharing this paper with Clay Shaw, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security for his use in connection with hearings the Subcommittee plans to hold next session on the oversight of the disability program.

Again, thanks for sharing the views of your constituent with me.

Sincerely,

Bill Archer Chairman

cc: The Honorable E. Clay Shaw, Jr.