LOL at your shock over the unconventional grid size and symmetry!
On a more serious note, I enjoyed this puzzle more than you did. I generally like hidden word themes. Since this theme was a set of related acronyms, with a different one in each theme entry, that was a bit more fun than the usual hidden word theme.
RUBICUND was a new word for me but I like new words and the crosses seemed fair.
I think the clue for SSI is wrong. I'm not certain but I think it's a confusion between SSDI (disability benefits) and SSI (supplemental security income). SSI is granted based on need or disability. Many SSI recipients never pay any FICA. And I'm pretty sure that SSI is funded by different branch of the government. But that's a pretty minor nit that most people won't know or care about.