History of Social Security Disability Policy Social Security has existed since 1935, when the Social Security Act was created. Social Security disability insurance was created as part of Social Security only in 1956. The disability program faced great resistance from the beginning and still presents challenges today. Program challenges include determining whether an applicant has a disability and trying to keep program costs manageable. While these challenges still plague the program to this day, the need for disability benefits far outweighs these challenges. Identifying the Problem Dr. Francis E. Townsend sent a letter in 1933 to the Long Beach Press-Telegram proposing that every American over 60 receive a sum of $150 from the federal government after seeing three elderly women rummaging through the garbage looking for of food. This newspaper letter rather quickly attracted national attention and pushed Congress to do something to help the elderly and the unemployed. President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in August 1935; however, disability was omitted from the law and was not established until two decades later in 1956. (Kearney, 2005/2006) Disability insurance was omitted from the Social Security Act (H.R. 6000) due to the potential price of the program and the fact that determining whether or not an applicant was disabled and unable to work would prove difficult. At the time of the creation of the Social Security Act, private insurance companies that provided disability insurance had difficulty making a profit. The policies had liberal definitions of disability and were written by specialty life insurance companies, making the policies free of... half paper... in "allowing legislation or other legal directives to impose policy objectives that are clear and consistent or at least provides substantive criteria for resolving conflicts of objectives.” The Social Security Disability Law, with its amendments, had clear and consistent policy objectives and the Social Security Administration provided criteria for resolving the problem of Obtaining financial assistance for disabled workers. Social Security Disability Insurance Program is an important and very necessary program. It is constantly evaluated, modified and updated claimants are treated with fairness and dignity. No one wants to be told that they have a disability that will prevent them from working, but if they are told this, they have the benefits of the disability program that helps them financially..