Joseph Shapiro

That's right. Our benefit system, it was set up to take care of people, but not to help them get the support they need so that they can live independent lives, live in the community like Tabby Haley in her own apartment, and to have a job and a career. This summer, Haley took a leave of absence from her job while she appeals SSI's decision, and she's getting benefits for now.

That's right. Our benefit system, it was set up to take care of people, but not to help them get the support they need so that they can live independent lives, live in the community like Tabby Haley in her own apartment, and to have a job and a career. This summer, Haley took a leave of absence from her job while she appeals SSI's decision, and she's getting benefits for now.

That's right. Our benefit system, it was set up to take care of people, but not to help them get the support they need so that they can live independent lives, live in the community like Tabby Haley in her own apartment, and to have a job and a career. This summer, Haley took a leave of absence from her job while she appeals SSI's decision, and she's getting benefits for now.

But there's been no indication that SSI is going to reverse itself. And she's worried that she might end up in a nursing home soon. It's one of the only options for someone who needs hours and hours of care. And Medicaid, they'll pay for that.

But there's been no indication that SSI is going to reverse itself. And she's worried that she might end up in a nursing home soon. It's one of the only options for someone who needs hours and hours of care. And Medicaid, they'll pay for that.

But there's been no indication that SSI is going to reverse itself. And she's worried that she might end up in a nursing home soon. It's one of the only options for someone who needs hours and hours of care. And Medicaid, they'll pay for that.

Well, I think it's striking that right now there's this broad support for reform from Democrats and Republicans, from disability groups, of course, but also from big business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest banks like JPMorgan Chase, where Tabby Haley works, companies like Microsoft. They want disabled workers.

Well, I think it's striking that right now there's this broad support for reform from Democrats and Republicans, from disability groups, of course, but also from big business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest banks like JPMorgan Chase, where Tabby Haley works, companies like Microsoft. They want disabled workers.

Well, I think it's striking that right now there's this broad support for reform from Democrats and Republicans, from disability groups, of course, but also from big business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest banks like JPMorgan Chase, where Tabby Haley works, companies like Microsoft. They want disabled workers.

But the reform I've been writing about seems less likely to happen in a new Trump administration. The social safety net, it's going to be a target for budget cuts. The bottom line is that people in SSI, the disabled and elderly poor, they don't have political power. They rely upon a program that was created for them 52 years ago. And then the program and the people on it were forgotten.

But the reform I've been writing about seems less likely to happen in a new Trump administration. The social safety net, it's going to be a target for budget cuts. The bottom line is that people in SSI, the disabled and elderly poor, they don't have political power. They rely upon a program that was created for them 52 years ago. And then the program and the people on it were forgotten.

But the reform I've been writing about seems less likely to happen in a new Trump administration. The social safety net, it's going to be a target for budget cuts. The bottom line is that people in SSI, the disabled and elderly poor, they don't have political power. They rely upon a program that was created for them 52 years ago. And then the program and the people on it were forgotten.

So they're left to get around all these traps, the absurdities, the indignities of SSI's out-of-date and overly complex rules.

So they're left to get around all these traps, the absurdities, the indignities of SSI's out-of-date and overly complex rules.

So they're left to get around all these traps, the absurdities, the indignities of SSI's out-of-date and overly complex rules.

And I appreciate you, Ayesha. Thank you.

And I appreciate you, Ayesha. Thank you.

And I appreciate you, Ayesha. Thank you.