That means that 10.9 million disabled workers and children within the US, receiving benefits, will encounter sharp cuts in payments. The decline is believed to reach up to 19 percent as payroll tax revenues are forecasted to fall short of covering expenses. Disability payments could be saved in full if Congress redirected money from the significantly bigger Social Security retirement fund, as it used to do in the past.
"It is vital that Congress move forward to maintain the integrity of this critical program sooner rather than later," Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said.
The measure has already become a bone of contention between the president and Republicans in Congress — Obama has said yes to the shift and his opponents came up against it.
Republicans have suggested that solution of the problem requires more serious changes such as strategies at helping disabled getting jobs and eradicating fraud schemes.
The trustees said that if both the retirement and disability funds were united they would be able to pay out full benefits through 2034. But relocation of money between funds is impossible without Congressional approval.
