While some steps have been taken to help protect older adults and people with disabilities from the coronavirus, the prolonged nature of the pandemic requires additional action and investment. In response, legislators announced the COVID-19 Recovery for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act.
This act would:
Require the Social Security Administration to halt unnecessary activities like continuing disability reviews and collection of overpayments for seniors and people with disabilities.
Remove administrative barriers to accessing disability benefits and health care, and expand eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Open a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to easily and quickly enroll more people during the public health emergency.
Increase funding for the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to educate seniors about coronavirus-related scams.
Provide flexibility for the senior food box program to limit the number of times a senior must leave their home in order to access proper nutrition.
ACI is one of 55 national and state organizations representing older adults, people with disabilities and home health care workers who have signed on to support the bill. You can read more about the bill at the link below.
