[NFBMO] Blind Americans Return To Work Act

Mon Jan 16 22:15:53 UTC 2023

Thank you David. That’s exactly what this bill will do when we get it through Congress.

Shelia

From: NFBMO <nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David W Hertweck via NFBMO
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2023 9:45 AM
To: Gary Wunder via NFBMO <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: David W Hertweck <david.hertweck at sbcglobal.net>; Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBMO] Blind Americans Return To Work Act

I understand the financial implications, however it was one of my proudest moments is when I did not need government support.  I think what we need is a phase out approach as you gain more personal income the government support should phase out in such a way that it is not a sudden change.  After all ssds is support and is not mint to be a life stile.  I believe every one should strive to be self-sufficient.

Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986>  for Windows

From: Gary Wunder via NFBMO <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 4:09 PM
To: 'NFB of Missouri Mailing List' <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: Gary Wunder <mailto:gwunder at earthlink.net> 
Subject: Re: [NFBMO] Blind Americans Return To Work Act

Not to belabor the obvious, but less than a week ago I sat across the table from a woman who is terribly afraid that she is going to get a raise, and it is precisely what Roger explains that be devils her. The raise cannot begin to compensate for what she will lose if she crosses the line and exceeds substantial gainful activity. Neither can she replace the medical care that she needs. Sometimes when we deal with legislation it can feel a bit abstract, but when you see a person who wants to be rewarded for her good work and wants to assume extra responsibility because she believes she is capable of it fearing the very fact that her dreams may come true, this is about as concrete as it gets. If we truly want to eliminate disincentives and get the most out of the productivity Americans have to give, this should be a no-brainer for Congress. Let us hope that it is and that what seems so obvious to us will become obvious to them. Wouldn't it be great if we could lead the bipartisan march toward progress that we all hope can come about? I'm excited!

From: NFBMO <nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Roger Crome via NFBMO
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:05 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List <nfbmo at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Roger Crome <r_crome1 at msn.com <mailto:r_crome1 at msn.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFBMO] Blind Americans Return To Work Act

Hi Michael, 

Let’s look at it from a numbers perspective.  Imagine that John’s SSDI is $2200 monthly. And his monthly earnings consistently have run just shy of SGA for the last 10 years or so.  In 2023 his salary reaches $2300 monthly.  This puts his income at $4500 monthly. We all get used to living close to our means.  John receives a promotion with a $200 raise attached.  If he accepts, his earnings are over SGA and he will lose his SSDI.  Great, he has achieved self sufficiency.  But, now, he has only $2500 per month before taxes, and his bills remain based on $4500 per month.  

If you have a family that depends on your financial contribution, then it’s about weighing pros and cons.

Roger

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 9, 2023, at 6:53 PM, Melissa Kane via NFBMO < <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:

 For many people, that I know of any ways, it is more about the medical insurance than it is about the cash benefit. Which, I can understand. Healthcare is very expensive.

Melissa Kane 

First Vice President National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 9, 2023, at 5:30 PM, Michael Walker via NFBMO < <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:

It’s interesting, that blind people would want to limit their work hours to stay on Social Security. If I made enough money, where I could be independent, I’d rather get off Social Security altogether.

On Jan 9, 2023, at 4:30 PM, Dennis Miller via NFBMO < <mailto:nfbmo at nfbnet.org> nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Blind Americans Return to Work Act 

Issue—Current Social Security law contains a policy that has the unintended consequence of discouraging blind Americans from maximizing their earnings potential.  

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program has a built in “earnings cliff”. 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.[1] This earnings limit, often called the “earnings cliff,” is in effect a penalty imposed on blind Americans when they work. For example, the earnings limit in 2023 for a blind person is $2,460 per month. If a blind individual earns more than that threshold, even by just one dollar, they are engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Under the current law, any individual engaged in SGA is not entitled to any SSDI benefits. This means that if a blind person earns just one dollar over the earnings limit, all benefits are lost. 

The earnings cliff has the unintended consequence of creating an incentive for blind people to remain unemployed or underemployed, despite their desire to work. In a 2018 survey, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) found that 21 percent of respondents from thirty-four of their non-profit associations had turned down a raise or promotion to retain their SSDI benefits.[2] The survey also found that 37 percent of respondents had turned down additional hours or even asked to reduce their hours in order to retain their SSDI benefits.[3] Blind Americans who are willing and capable to work are intentionally limiting themselves in order to keep from suddenly losing all of their SSDI benefits. 

The current work incentive in the form of the trial work period is needlessly complicated and counterintuitive. Under the current SSDI program, if a blind worker wants to try and earn more money they will likely trigger a nine-month trial work period. These nine months do not have to be consecutive, but instead are any nine months during a rolling sixty month period in which the worker earned more than a certain amount (for 2023 this amount is $1,050 per month). When all of those nine months are exhausted, the worker is once again subject to the earnings cliff if they cross the SGA threshold. This is supposed to act as an incentive for blind recipients to determine if they are ready to work, but the complexity of the rules makes it easier to just ignore the process altogether. Additionally, 80 percent of respondents to NIB’s 2018 survey said they did not have access to coaching or guidance on federal benefits.[4]

Solution—Blind Americans Return to Work Act will:

Eliminate the earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one phase-out of earnings over the SGA limit. For every two dollars a blind worker earns above the SGA threshold, their benefits amount will be reduced by one dollar. 

Create a true work incentive for SSDI recipients. With a phase-out model, blind workers will always be better off striving to earn as much as possible, which will facilitate the transition of those workers from the SSDI system as benefits are gradually reduced. With this model, blind Americans will never lose by working. As an added benefit, fewer workers earning SSDI benefits and instead paying into the Social Security Trust Fund means a more balanced Trust Fund in time.   

Simplify the SSDI system by eliminating the trial work period and grace period, making the rules more compatible with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Under the proposed system, the SSDI program will become less complicated. With both programs using similar rules, there will be less confusion, and the incentive for blind people to return to work will be consistent and clear.

GOAL—ELIMINATE THE SSDI EARNINGS CLIFF AND CREATE A TRUE WORK INCENTIVE FOR BLIND AMERICANS.

Sponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act.

For more information, contact:

Justin Young, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind

Phone: 410-659-9314, extension 2210, Email:  <mailto:jyoung at nfb.org> jyoung at nfb.org or visit  <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cc5f020feeeb84e96bd5f08daf2a51775%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638089088120651619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1ruPMYe%2FW7rq0FLltdLmtuBf3SPBtMcpdQuy64BRxls%3D&reserved=0> www.nfb.org

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  _____  

  _____  

[1] 42 U.S.C. Sec. 423.

[2] Commitment to Serve, A presentation given at the 2018 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

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