Trump proposes $163 billion in disability program cuts

President Trump's FY2026 budget proposes cutting $163 billion in federal disability spending, including elimination of protection and advocacy agencies, state councils on developmental disabilities, and the lifespan respite program, according to Disability Scoop.

The Social Security Administration plans to eliminate 7,000 jobs, reducing headcount from approximately 57,000 to 50,000 employees. SSA also closed its Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity under new leadership.

Elon Musk's DOGE shuttered at least 10 Social Security field offices in 10 states: White Plains NY, Logan WV, Carlsbad CA, Roanoke Rapids NC, Batesville AR, Columbus OH, Okemos MI, Nacogdoches TX, Green Bay WI, and Las Vegas NV.

Officials are considering eliminating age as a factor in disability evaluations entirely or raising the threshold from age 50 to age 60, according to The Washington Post.

As of February 2025, the disability determination process averaged 236 days for initial decisions and 277 days for appeals. Over a million people are waiting on an appeal, with tens of thousands dying while awaiting a decision.

Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research found Social Security office closures lead to a 13% drop in the number of people receiving disability benefits in the affected area.

The White House stated 'President Trump will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits,' while Elon Musk has called Social Security 'the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time' in an interview with Joe Rogan.