The possibility of a federal aid freeze has placed millions of Americans at risk of losing their independence. For those with disabilities, these consequences could be particularly dire. Government assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and housing subsidies, are exponentially more vital to individuals with disabilities. These supports ensure access to healthcare, housing and other essential services. When the funding for assistance programs is frozen, it creates a ripple effect, which can be devastating.

As of December 2023, 85% of Americans with disabilities were eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income. Fifty-seven percent of SSI recipients rely on such payments, often their only source of income.

Programs like SSI assist with the overall cost of living, including housing, food and transportation. A federal aid freeze, however, means that benefit amounts would not rise alongside rising inflation rates. Individuals who rely on these fixed incomes often struggle to make ends meet with the cost of rent, food and medical expenses continuing to increase.

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As individuals with disabilities already face higher costs of living, such financial strain is especially concerning. Necessities like adaptive equipment, personal care assistance, accessible housing and specialized transportation methods are all extremely expensive. In the event of a federal aid freeze, many people with disabilities would be forced to choose between paying and giving up food, medical care or housing.

Medicaid is also significantly impacted by federal aid funding. Thirty-five percent of Americans with disabilities rely on Medicaid for access to healthcare services, such as in-home caregiving, physical therapy and mental health support. If the government cuts Medicaid funding, people may lose access to critical services or face long waitlists for necessary treatments.

Additionally, Medicaid waivers allow people with disabilities to receive care in their own homes rather than in institutional settings, but these waivers often have years-long waitlists. A funding freeze would worsen the backlog, forcing more people to live in nursing homes or hospitals instead of independently.

There would also be a negative impact on housing assistance programs like Section 811 and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded accessible housing initiatives. Many Americans with disabilities cannot afford rent and rely on these programs to live in accessible housing units, given that accessible apartments are more expensive than standard housing.

Moreover, cuts in federal funding for these programs mean more individuals with disabilities would face eviction or even homelessness. A lack of accessible shelters and transitional housing does not help this issue, leaving many without safe alternatives.

While some people with disabilities are employed, many need workplace accommodations or job training programs, which are funded by federal aid. Vocational rehabilitation, which helps people with disabilities become employed, may be affected if federal funding decreases.

Some individuals with disabilities also receive support services such as personal care attendants to help them with daily living tasks such as getting ready for work or traveling to their jobs. A freeze in federal funding would reduce support hours and make it harder for people to maintain their employment and independence.

The increased stress of potential financial instability, housing insecurity and reduced healthcare access would have an immense impact on the mental health of individuals with disabilities. Currently, people with disabilities already experience 4.6 times as much  depression and anxiety in comparison to people without disabilities, due to systemic barriers and societal stigma. The uncertainty of losing essential services would only worsen such mental health challenges.

A potential federal aid freeze has many far-reaching consequences for Americans with disabilities. It would affect things like their financial security, healthcare access, housing stability and employment opportunities. Without adequate government support, many individuals will face severe hardships, and their independence will be at risk. In these times, it is essential to focus on the needs of the disability community and ensure that these vital programs remain protected.

Involvement with USC’s disability advocacy groups as either an individual with a disability or even an ally is one way to be an advocate for disability rights and equity. Two great beginner resources include Emily Ladau’s book, “Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally” and the 2020 Oscar-nominated documentary “Crip Camp.”

Addressing key issues requires various collective advocacy efforts to fight for a more inclusive and equitable future. Disability does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any time. Ultimately, a society that fails to support its largest minority population of over 70 million individuals, which makes up 28.7% of the United States’ population, is a society that fails all.