[BlindTlk] FW: SSI change that might be coming

[Danielle (Shives) Manke]

I, too, completely support this bill and hope this becomes law. Unfortunately, I didn't do a lot of research before getting married to someone who, like me, receives SSI and was completely caught off guard when, between the two of us, we lost nearly $400. I'm not saying we wouldn't have gotten married had we realized this, but financially, I definitely understand why many don't or can't. There's a reason why everyone refers to this as "the marriage penalty", and such a thing shouldn't exist. You shouldn't be "punished" for getting married and living your life the way anyone else can. I also like the idea of people being able to have more assets without their SSI being effected the way it is. I've long said that the current system makes it very hard for people who rely on it to really get anywhere or have anything, and the changes proposed here would go a long way in making things better.
Danielle

--- blindtlk at nfbnet.org wrote:

From: Eric Calhoun via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Eric Calhoun <eric at pmpmail.com>
Subject: [BlindTlk] FW: SSI change that might be coming
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2019 13:36:23 -0500

Blindness-related.  What do you think?


Original Message: 
From: Football john <johnsnflrox at gmail.com>
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
Subject: SSI change that might be coming
Date: 
Fri, 4 Oct 2019 13:10:43 -0400

SSI change that might be coming
A bill introduced in Congress would give more flexibility to people 
receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits. (Disability Scoop)

People with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income would 
be allowed to keep substantially more assets and would no longer be 
penalized for
marrying under a new proposal.

Currently, in order to retain benefits, SSI recipients generally can 
have no more than $2,000 to their name at any given time.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are looking to 
significantly increase that ceiling, with a bill introduced this month 
that would raise SSI's
asset limit to $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for couples.

In addition, the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act, or H.R. 
4280, would increase the amount of disregarded income that beneficiaries 
can take
in each month. And, the bill would repeal penalties for marrying or 
receiving financial, food and housing assistance from family members.

Backers say the time has come to update Social Security's SSI program, 
which has remained largely static since 1972.

"This issue is one I have heard about directly from autism advocates and 
families in our district, particularly parents preparing for children 
with disabilities
to transition into adulthood," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who 
introduced the measure along with Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz. "This bill 
brings the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program's outdated limits up to speed 
with inflation - a common-sense adjustment that will make a huge 
difference for

individuals and families caring for someone with disabilities."


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