This week marks Social Security’s 90th anniversary, a reminder of how vital these programs are for millions of Americans with disabilities. We’re also covering new research on the tough financial trade-offs many beneficiaries are facing, along with a debate over proposed restrictions on what SNAP benefits can be used to buy.

Social Security just marked its 90th anniversary, sparking a national conversation about its past successes and uncertain future. The program, signed into law in 1935, has become a financial lifeline for more than 70 million Americans, including millions who rely on SSDI and SSI.

Experts warn that unless Congress acts, the trust funds that support retirement and disability benefits could be depleted in the next decade. Lawmakers are divided on the solutions, with ideas ranging from raising payroll taxes to adjusting benefits. For people with disabilities, the stakes are especially high, as SSDI and SSI often represent the difference between stability and severe hardship.

A new survey reveals that more than half of Social Security recipients are cutting back on essentials like food, rent, and medications. Even with cost-of-living adjustments, benefits have not kept pace with the rapid rise in living expenses, leaving many vulnerable.

For people with disabilities, the impact is especially harsh. Choosing between paying for prescriptions or keeping the lights on has become a monthly reality. Advocacy groups are calling for reforms to ensure benefits reflect real-world costs, arguing that financial security should not come at the expense of basic health and wellbeing.

A proposal to limit the types of food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits is sparking heated debate. Supporters argue that restricting items like soda, candy, and processed snacks could promote healthier diets and help reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Opponents warn the change could stigmatize low-income families and people with disabilities who already face barriers to accessing affordable food. They also point out that implementing such restrictions would create new red tape and could make grocery shopping more complicated. The proposal has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about nutrition, equity, and dignity in public assistance programs.

The Treasury Department has finalized new rules for ABLE accounts, offering clarity to states and providers on how these savings programs should be managed. The updates cover reporting requirements, tax treatment, and coordination with Medicaid, making it easier for families and individuals with disabilities to use ABLE accounts confidently.

While the new rules provide more certainty today, an even bigger change is on the horizon. Starting in 2026, eligibility for ABLE accounts will expand to people who became disabled before age 46, up from the current age 26 cutoff. Advocates say this shift could open the door for millions more Americans to take advantage of ABLE accounts as a tool for saving without risking SSI or Medicaid eligibility.

If you receive SSI or SSDI, it’s important to keep your contact information updated with the Social Security Administration. Missing a letter or appointment notice could impact your benefits. You can update your address or phone number quickly through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

Thanks for reading this week’s Purple Weekly. See you next week!

— The Purple Team

Enjoyed this issue? Share Purple Weekly with a friend.