GOP bill prevents ‘double-dipping’ with unemployment benefits

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) has introduced a measure preventing anyone from simultaneously receiving unemployment insurance and disability benefits.

Johnson argued that it seems illogical for people to be eligible for both disability and unemployment payments.

{mosads}”Under current law, some people can get both disability benefits and unemployment benefits. That just makes no sense! Think about it — disability benefits are for those who can’t work and unemployment benefits are for those who can work,” Johnson said in a statement.

The Texas Republican, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security, said the program’s funds should be distributed as conservatively as possible. The Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund is expected to run out of money by the end of 2016.

“It will help ensure Social Security disability benefits are only for those who truly cannot work and for which this safety net was designed to help,” Johnson said. “With the disability program going broke next year, Congress should stop this double-dipping and now.”