Members press SSA on disability backlog, Ticket to Work outreach and sickle‑cell disability rules

Members of the House Ways and Means subcommittees pressed the Social Security Administration on persistent disability hearing waits, poor awareness of work supports and the treatment of children with sickle cell disease.

Representative Darren LaHood and others said the agency must improve administration of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Ticket to Work program so beneficiaries who can work receive appropriate supports. Visignano told the panel he has placed a dedicated executive in charge of SSI and Ticket to Work, said SSA is promoting automated reporting and outreach through employment networks, and described a planned large‑scale evaluation to assess program effectiveness.

Several members highlighted long disability hearing and adjudication times. Representative Horsford of Nevada said Las Vegas hearing waits averaged nearly 11 months and urged a senior SSA point person to work directly with his office on unresolved constituent cases; Visignano offered to send his head of disability to meet with the member and his staff.

Ranking Member Davis and others urged faster adaptation of the National Academies recommendations on sickle cell disease; Davis cited a National Academies report concluding current SSA criteria exclude some children who should receive benefits and asked for timelines to revise medical listings. Visignano said SSA has recommendations under consideration and offered to meet with advocates and members to walk through proposed changes.

Members asked SSA to reduce the risk that overpayment processes will deter workers from attempting to return to employment; Visignano said PIE expansions and shorter payment cycles are intended to lower improper payments and reduce disruptive recoupments.

The committee recorded no formal votes; members requested follow‑up information and meetings with agency staff and advocates to track outcomes.