<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Please see below and take action ASAP. Thanks. <br><br>Audrey T. Farnum<div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div><div><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><b>From:</b> "Diggs, Parnell via Nfbnet-members-list" <<a href="mailto:nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Date:</b> October 29, 2015 at 11:10:04 AM CDT<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert and Call to Action</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> "Diggs, Parnell" <<a href="mailto:PDiggs@nfb.org">PDiggs@nfb.org</a>><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<br>
<br>
Dear Colleagues:<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>SSDI Provisions<br>
</u> <br>
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.<br>
<br>
<u>Call to Action<br>
</u> <br>
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.<br>
<br>
1. Amend Section 822 so that SSDI beneficiaries
can participate in the demonstration project upon request. <br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
As always, fellow Federationists, thanks for all you do.<br>
<br>
Very sincerely,<br>
<br>
Parnell Diggs, Esq.<br>
Director of Government Affairs<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2222<br>
Mobile: (843) 267-2018<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:pdiggs@nfb.org">pdiggs@nfb.org</a><br>
Twitter: @NFB_Voice<br>
@ParnellDiggs<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/make-gift">Make a gift</a> to the National
Federation of the Blind and help ensure all blind Americans live the
lives they want.<br>
<br>
</div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>Nfbnet-members-list mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:Nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">Nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span>List archives: <<a href="http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org">http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org</a>></span><br><span>To unsubscribe from Nfbnet-members-list:</span><br><span>goto <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org/atfarnum%40icloud.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbnet-members-list_nfbnet.org/atfarnum%40icloud.com</a></span></div></blockquote></body></html>