KQED's Forum Low-Income Adults with Disabilities Stand to Lose SSI Benefits Under Proposed Trump Administration Rule
May 7, 2026
Eric Harris, Disability Rights California leader fighting for civil rights and services. Kristen Pedersen, The Arc San Francisco director focusing on housing and supports. Eli Hager, ProPublica reporter covering poverty and disability policy. They discuss a proposed SSI rule change, who would be affected, why family living matters, and the possible ripple effects for services and institutionalization.
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Shatyra Burton's Tight SSI Lifeline
- Shatyra Burton is a 22-year-old from Philadelphia with Tourette syndrome and intellectual disabilities who relies on SSI and lives with her sanitation-worker father.
- She receives $994/month and uses it for cell service, internet, utilities, and food, illustrating how tight SSI budgets are.
Removing SNAP Would Trigger SSI Reductions
- The proposed rule would remove SNAP as a qualifying public assistance program, causing many beneficiaries living with families to lose an exemption and see SSI cut.
- Eli Hager estimates this could cut Shatyra's benefit by about $330 and require monthly reporting on household support.
Rule Could Affect Up To 400000 Beneficiaries
- ProPublica used SSA actuarial estimates to project up to 400,000 Americans could face reduced or eliminated SSI benefits under the changes.
- The number includes disabled adults and older people who live with low-income relatives.