[Ct-nfb] Announcement: Legislative Alert and Call to Action

Thu Oct 29 18:48:29 UTC 2015

Hi Kate,

Thank you for re-posting the legislative alert! Just so you know, members of the ct-nfb mailing list are auto-subscribed to the nfbnet-members-list mailing list. People who don’t want to get those messages can opt out of it, but those of us who have not are getting those messages.

Since this is so important, I am glad to have another chance to catch people’s attention. It is my sincere hope that we can count on you to start taking action, and I hope the same for many of us. Your contributions are very valuable.

Take care, and thanks again for re-posting!

Justin

Justin Salisbury, NOMC
Graduate Student
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kathryn Webster via Ct-nfb
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 11:53 AM
To: ctabs at nfbnet.org; ct-nfb at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kathryn Webster <kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Announcement: Legislative Alert and Call to Action

Dear Colleagues:

As you know, a budget deal between the White House and the outgoing Speaker of the House, John Boehner, was reached earlier this week. The bill, which passed the House last evening by a vote of 266 to 167, includes provisions which will impact the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.  The National Federation of the Blind does not have a position on the bill as a whole, but we definitely have feelings about those parts of the bill dealing with SSDI issues.

If no action is taken, the SSDI Trust Fund will be insolvent by December of 2016, resulting in a 20 percent across-the-board cut in benefits. This legislation would guarantee the solvency of the SSDI Trust Fund through 2022. We find this aspect of the bill to be extremely helpful.

SSDI Provisions

As part of a demonstration project, the Social Security Administration will select a subgroup (the size of the subgroup is not prescribed in the legislation) from among all SSDI beneficiaries to participate in a benefit offset earnings test. The demonstration project is strictly voluntary. Participants in this voluntary demonstration project would not be subject to the $1,820 earnings limit, but rather to a $2-for-$1 phase-out of benefits. This is what we have been asking for, but here’s the rubthe phase-out will start at $810 and will be based upon Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) under this legislation. If you claim IRWE totaling $810 or less, your benefit offset would start at $810. On the other hand, if you claim between $811 and $1,820 in IRWE, your $2-for-$1 phase-out of benefits will start at your IRWE amount.

Call to Action

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R.1314) is now headed to the Senate. Please call your senators today, either directly to their offices, or through the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask them to support two edits (which might be thought of as technical amendments) to the SSDI provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

1.     Amend Section 822 so that SSDI beneficiaries can participate in the demonstration project upon request.
2.     Amend Section 823 by replacing all references to the term “Impairment Related Work Expenses” for blind beneficiaries with the term “Blind Work Expenses,” which are broader, more favorable, and are already available in the SSI program.

All state presidents and Federation leaders should set the example and make the calls to their senators, keeping in mind that this item is very time-sensitive. Please call me with any questions using the below contact information.

As always, fellow Federationists, thanks for all you do.

Very sincerely,

Parnell Diggs, Esq.
Director of Government Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2222
Mobile: (843) 267-2018
Email: pdiggs at nfb.org<mailto:pdiggs at nfb.org>
Twitter: @NFB_Voice
  @ParnellDiggs

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

Make a gift<https://nfb.org/make-gift> to the National Federation of the Blind and help ensure all blind Americans live the lives they want.

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