SHUT DOWN (7)

Social Security Closed for Business

Republicans have found an easier way to cut Social Security—just cut funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA). In the wee hours of the morning on February 19, all but three House Republicans voted to cut $1.7 billion from the SSA. The proposed cuts are so severe that the SSA could have to furlough thousands of workers for 1 month out of the 7 months remaining this budget year.

The impact of these cuts for retirees, disabled workers and families will be devastating.

Please attend a noon rally on March 2nd to support restoring funding to the Social Security Administration.

Here’s what these cuts will do:

Up to 400,000 people will have their applications for retirement, survivors and Medicare benefits significantly delayed.

Up to 290,000 people will have their applications for disability benefits significantly delayed. Unbelievably, it already takes nearly 500 days on average to have a disability claim resolved.

What’s worse is that these cuts are nothing but cutting for cutting’s sake. When we say Social Security doesn’t add a penny to the deficit that goes for the costs the Social Security Administration incurs making sure that workers get the benefits they earned. The money you contribute to Social Security every day you work pays not only for your benefits, but for the Social Security Administration’s work keeping track of your earnings, so that you get the benefits you earned.

Please attend a noon rally on March 2nd to support restoring funding to the Social Security Administration. Click here to see if there is a rally near you.

If you can’t attend a rally, please call your senators.

The Republican agenda is clear. The party wants to cut, privatize, and otherwise harm Social Security. This month they are trying to defund the SSA. In April and May they will try to cut Social Security benefits outright.

It’s up to the U.S. Senate to keep the doors to the SSA open for business. This could be decided over the next two weeks. We need you to call your senators today.