Edu Dept to Match SSA Data on Disabled Loan Debts
Published Date: 8/25/2026
Notice
Summary
This matching program will assist the U.S. Department of Education (Department or ED) in its obligation to ensure that borrowers whom the Social Security Administration (SSA) identifies as disabled with Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE) status and who either owe balances on or who have had any of loans made under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) written off due to default for the Federal Perkins Loan Program (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.), the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.), or the Federal Insured Student Loan (FISL) Program (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.) or with Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligations (referred to collectively herein as "Title IV loans") more efficiently and effectively are able to obtain Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharges of their Title IV loans.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier TPD Discharge Using SSA MINE Data
If you have Title IV student loans or TEACH Grant obligations and the Social Security Administration (SSA) identifies you as disabled with Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE) status, the Department of Education (ED) will accept that matched MINE information instead of a paper TPD application and SSA certification letter and will proactively send you a notice. ED will not process the discharge earlier than 61 days after the notice date unless you choose an earlier discharge or opt out within 60 days.
Risk: SSA Benefits May Be Offset
If you are identified by SSA as disabled with MINE status but you do not apply for the TPD discharge, your SSA benefits may be offset to repay your Title IV loans or TEACH Grants with repayment obligations.
Program Start Date and Duration
The matching program becomes effective on October 1, 2026, will run for 18 months after that effective date (until April 1, 2028), and may be renewed for up to an additional 12 months if ED and SSA Data Integrity Boards determine renewal conditions are met within 3 months before expiration. Public comments on re-establishment are due by September 24, 2026.
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Key Dates
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