The one thing that has bugged me in this process of applying for disability is the idea of being fenced in. I don't like the idea of taking government money, even if I have paid into it and need it, and then essentially being stuck. I want to always be free to strive to my greatest potential - whatever that might be.
In the end I don't know how much extra work I might be able to pick up when I get SSDI - my health can be unpredictable and that could impact things. But I don't like being forced to choose between doing my utmost best and surviving.
Below is a change to the social security law being proposed by the National Federation of the Blind right now in Congress. It makes sense to me! And, I'd think in an age of precious resources, it would make the best sense for government too. I was so thrilled when I saw it!
Here it is:
Removing the Earnings Penalty: A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
Purpose: To promote and facilitate the transition by blind Americans from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to income-earning, taxpaying, productive members of the American workforce.Background: The unemployment rate for working-age blind people is over 70 percent. Part of the reason for this disproportionately high statistic is the myths and misconceptions about the true capacities of blind people. These erroneous perceptions are manifested when employers refuse to hire the blind.
In addition, governmental programs intended to help blind people meet their basic economic needs, especially the SSDI program, have had the unintended consequence of creating an incentive for blind people to remain unemployed or underemployed despite their desire to work. Low societal expectations result in low representation of the blind in the workforce. This low representation of the blind reinforces low societal expectations—it is a vicious circle that perpetuates systemic employment discrimination against the blind.
Despite the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind, blindness still has profound social and economic consequences. Governmental programs should encourage blind people to reach their full employment potential; they should not encourage economic dependence.Existing Law: Title II of the Social Security Act provides that disability benefits paid to blind beneficiaries are eliminated if the beneficiary exceeds a monthly earnings limit. This earnings limit is in effect a penalty imposed on blind Americans when they work. This penalty imposed by the SSDI program means that, if a blind person earns just $1 over $1,640 (the monthly limit in 2009 following a Trial Work Period), all benefits are lost.
To read the full article, go to: http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm09/bm0904/bm090407.htm
In the end I don't know how much extra work I might be able to pick up when I get SSDI - my health can be unpredictable and that could impact things. But I don't like being forced to choose between doing my utmost best and surviving.
Below is a change to the social security law being proposed by the National Federation of the Blind right now in Congress. It makes sense to me! And, I'd think in an age of precious resources, it would make the best sense for government too. I was so thrilled when I saw it!
Here it is:
Removing the Earnings Penalty: A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
Purpose: To promote and facilitate the transition by blind Americans from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to income-earning, taxpaying, productive members of the American workforce.Background: The unemployment rate for working-age blind people is over 70 percent. Part of the reason for this disproportionately high statistic is the myths and misconceptions about the true capacities of blind people. These erroneous perceptions are manifested when employers refuse to hire the blind.
In addition, governmental programs intended to help blind people meet their basic economic needs, especially the SSDI program, have had the unintended consequence of creating an incentive for blind people to remain unemployed or underemployed despite their desire to work. Low societal expectations result in low representation of the blind in the workforce. This low representation of the blind reinforces low societal expectations—it is a vicious circle that perpetuates systemic employment discrimination against the blind.
Despite the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind, blindness still has profound social and economic consequences. Governmental programs should encourage blind people to reach their full employment potential; they should not encourage economic dependence.Existing Law: Title II of the Social Security Act provides that disability benefits paid to blind beneficiaries are eliminated if the beneficiary exceeds a monthly earnings limit. This earnings limit is in effect a penalty imposed on blind Americans when they work. This penalty imposed by the SSDI program means that, if a blind person earns just $1 over $1,640 (the monthly limit in 2009 following a Trial Work Period), all benefits are lost.
To read the full article, go to: http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm09/bm0904/bm090407.htm
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