Sheryl Beard

North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium

Williston

My name is Sheryl Beard. I live with my husband in Williston, ND. I work hard and own my home. Social Security allows me to live independently. I use it to pay my mortgage and bills, while my wages pay for food and personal necessities. I’m very upset about federal cuts to Social Security.

In North Dakota, 146,521 individuals receive Social Security and 7,870 individuals receive Supplemental Security Income. Social Security is the primary source of income for most older adults with nearly 20% relying on it for most of their income. Social Security is earned through a lifetime of hard work and it provides for a minimum quality of life.

Cuts to Social Security’s workforce or resources will negatively impact customer service and cause delays to Social Security payments for those who count on these benefits to survive. Social Security cuts will jeopardize the ability for older adults and people with disabilities to maintain stable housing, buy groceries, get prescription medicines, and more.

I urge my fellow North Dakotans to oppose cuts to Social Security and show their support for efforts to strengthen this essential benefit.