The Social Security Administration is working to modernize the rules and standards used to evaluate how disability benefits are determined. The Administration will no longer be using the inability to communicate in English as a factor in awarding disability benefits.

effective April 27, 2020, The change eliminates the education category--inability to communicate in English from disability claims evaluations for adults under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. The update is part of the Administration's efforts to stay in line with the current state of medicine and the continuing evolution of the modern workplace.

"Research now shows the inability to communicate in English is no longer a good measure of a person's education level or the ability to engage in work. The new rule also supports the Administration's longstanding focus of recognizing that individuals with disabilities can remain in the workforce," said Andrew Saul, Social Security Administration Commissioner.

For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (Voice) or 800-325-0778 (TTY), or Visit SocialSecurity.gov Click here for Indiana Social Security office locations