By El Vocero - The debate in the United States over whether to grant Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico is a civil rights debate that underscores, once again, the disparity of our colonial status.
Who would benefit most from the entry of SSI in Puerto Rico? Simple: people with special needs, the most vulnerable.
Let's get down to basics: SSI is a federal program that provides benefits in addition to Social Security to blind, disabled and elderly people with low or no income. It also provides hospitalization services and other necessary health aids.
The average beneficiary in the 50 states receives about $590 each month from the SSI program.
The reality is that Puerto Rico could receive up to $1.95 billion annually, according to a 2014 report by the Comptroller General's Office (GAO). The GAO estimated that if Puerto Rico were a state, over 360,000 residents on the island would qualify for SSI payments.
That's a necessary lifeline following the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, the 2020 earthquakes and the current covid-19 pandemic.
There are an estimated 950,000 people with special needs on the island, many of whom would qualify for some type of benefit under this program. SSI would provide an additional line of assistance to those most in need. It is something fair that cannot be denied to U.S. citizens because they are residents of the territory of Puerto Rico.
Currently, federal funds are received on the island through the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) program, which represents, on average, about $74 per person per month. In total, only about 35,000 people qualify for assistance under this program.
With SSI, the universe would increase by almost 10 times and benefits would increase by 600%.
As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I advocated last four years before Congress to extend SSI benefits to Puerto Rico.
In 2017 we sent official communications to the then speaker of the federal House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, as well as to the speaker of the Republican majority in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, requesting the inclusion of the Island in this vital program.
Today we reiterate this request. We join Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González and Governor Pedro Pierluisi in their efforts in favor of SSI, including filing appeals before the federal Supreme Court.
In addition, we demand that U.S. President Joe Biden (Democrat) change his position and endorse the inclusion of the Island in SSI in an expeditious manner. It would look bad if the U.S. Supreme Court were to give U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico the benefits of this program despite the President's objections.
Once again, this SSI issue demonstrates that Puerto Rico's current colonial status only hinders our growth as a society. If we were a state, SSI -as well as dozens of other programs- would be automatic for our people. Now all we can do is beg and complain.