I was very excited to read the following press release. Regular blog readers will remember that I've complained for a long time about the earnings limits social security disability places on recipients. Unlike social security income (a needs-based program) those who recieve SSDI (past a trial work period) risk losing all benefits if they go so much as one dollar over a set earnings limit.
What this means is that they must find themselves in a position where they earn more than twice what they recieve in SSDI benefits to come out ahead losing the benefits. A lot of entry-level or part-time (a lot of folks on SSDI could work part time) simply can't re-enter the work force at that level of earnings. Or, for folks like me, there's no way to know if I earn more than the limit for say, six months, if my unpredictable health will allow me to keep earning at that level - thus making it risky to try to get ahead.
I have e-mailed the NFB to ask if there is any verbage in the bill that would secure access to Medicare should recipients begin to earn more. That is my only concern - that many of us find ourselves on SSDI to ensure we have medical coverage as our disease progresses.
Otherwise, this just seems like a no brainer. If they only took away a part of your benefits for additional earnings in a step-down fashion (as they do with SSI) it would not only allow those on SSDI to reach thier maximum potential as professionals and tax payers - but it would reduce the amount of money social security is paying in benefits.
I don't think there's anyone that could argue that saving the government money isn't a good idea. This does nothing to affect eligibility for the program - so we're talking about people already getting benefits.
It's also nice to see a bill that is being introduced by leaders from both the Republican and Democratic side of the aisle.
I'll be following this closely and will post anything I learn.
Here's the press release about the bill.
Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act
1/28/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@nfb.org
Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2010): Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn. This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment potential rather than discouraging them from becoming independent. Blind people want to work, and with the right training and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire. Yet because of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed or underemployed. We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce.”
“Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened by some arbitrary limit,” said Senator Dodd. “We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase the productivity of our workforce.”
“Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from pursuing employment,” added Senator McCain. “The current SSDI program creates government dependency and limits achievement among blind people. The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American.”
This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this session.
###
About the National Federation of the BlindWith more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
What this means is that they must find themselves in a position where they earn more than twice what they recieve in SSDI benefits to come out ahead losing the benefits. A lot of entry-level or part-time (a lot of folks on SSDI could work part time) simply can't re-enter the work force at that level of earnings. Or, for folks like me, there's no way to know if I earn more than the limit for say, six months, if my unpredictable health will allow me to keep earning at that level - thus making it risky to try to get ahead.
I have e-mailed the NFB to ask if there is any verbage in the bill that would secure access to Medicare should recipients begin to earn more. That is my only concern - that many of us find ourselves on SSDI to ensure we have medical coverage as our disease progresses.
Otherwise, this just seems like a no brainer. If they only took away a part of your benefits for additional earnings in a step-down fashion (as they do with SSI) it would not only allow those on SSDI to reach thier maximum potential as professionals and tax payers - but it would reduce the amount of money social security is paying in benefits.
I don't think there's anyone that could argue that saving the government money isn't a good idea. This does nothing to affect eligibility for the program - so we're talking about people already getting benefits.
It's also nice to see a bill that is being introduced by leaders from both the Republican and Democratic side of the aisle.
I'll be following this closely and will post anything I learn.
Here's the press release about the bill.
Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act
1/28/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@nfb.org
Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2010): Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn. This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment potential rather than discouraging them from becoming independent. Blind people want to work, and with the right training and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire. Yet because of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed or underemployed. We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce.”
“Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened by some arbitrary limit,” said Senator Dodd. “We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase the productivity of our workforce.”
“Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from pursuing employment,” added Senator McCain. “The current SSDI program creates government dependency and limits achievement among blind people. The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American.”
This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this session.
###
About the National Federation of the BlindWith more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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