[Jobs] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Praises Bill to

[Dick Davis]

Angela, 

Your question is actually a pretty complicated one.  I hope this short
answer will help:

SSDI and Social Security Retirement are both insurance programs, paid for
through a FICA tax on a person's earnings. Since Congress already eliminated
the earnings limit for people on Social Security Retirement, there is a much
better chance that they will want to do the same for blind people on SSDI.  

SSI, on the other hand, is a welfare program paid for by general tax
revenues. Since senior citizens on SSI still have the same earnings limit as
everyone else on SSI, the same situation does not apply.   

There are a bunch of SSI work incentives for blind people.  Check the Social
Security website, or back issues of the Braille Monitor at nfb.org.
  
Dick Davis
BLIND, Inc.    


-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Angela Marciniak
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 3:14 PM
To: Jobs for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Jobs] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Praises Bill to


I think this bill is great, but I have one question/comment. Why does this
bill only concentrate on those who have SSDI? Personally speaking from being
an SSI beneficiary, I find it frustrating that we are not including. I have
spoken with many people who would love to become self-sufficient through
employment, but cannot simply transition with so many limitations. 
I would like to hear other's opinions on this. 
Best Regards, Angela 
> Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:32:38 -0500> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org;
blindtlk at nfbnet.org; jobs at nfbnet.org; nabs-l at nfbnet.org;
blindlaw at nfbnet.org> From: dandrews at visi.com> Subject: [Jobs] Fwd: National
Federation of the Blind Praises Bill to> > > >> > >>> "Pare, John"
<JPare at NFB.ORG> 10/16/2007 3:31 PM >>>> >> >National Federation of the Blind
Praises Bill to> >> >Create Work Incentives and Opportunity> >> >> >> >>
>Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act> >> >> >Introduced by Congressman
Lewis> >> >> >> >Washington, D.C. (October 16, > >2007): Congressman John
Lewis (D-GA) has > >introduced legislation designed to help blind > >persons
receiving Social Security Disability > >Insurance (SSDI) to return to work.
The Blind > >Persons Earnings Fairness Act of 2007 (H.R. > >3834), which has
already drawn bipartisan > >support, will eliminate penalties that prevent >
>blind persons from reentering the workforce and > >will facilitate their
transition to employment.> >> >> >> >Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the
National > >Federation of the Blind, which has long > >advocated this change
in policy, said: "This > >proposal will allow thousands of blind people to >
>rejoin the workforce and become productive, > >tax-paying citizens. Many
blind people are > >understandably reluctant to take entry-level > >jobs
because they are penalized by an immediate > >loss of SSDI benefits, and
their work income > >rarely compensates for that loss. This > >legislation
will allow blind persons to make a > >smooth transition from dependence to >
>opportunity. We will work with Congressman > >Lewis to ensure the swift
passage of this landmark legislation."> >> >> >> >Congressman Lewis said:
"Americans who are blind > >deserve the same opportunities as all other >
>Americans. Their blindness does not prevent > >them from making valuable
contributions to our > >society, as evidenced by the many successful >
>blind people I have personally met over the > >years. The gifts and
opportunities of these > >citizens should not be hindered by policies that >
>discourage them from entering the > >workforce. That is why I am proud to
stand with > >my blind brothers and sisters and introduce this much-needed
legislation."> >> >> >> >The legislation will increase the amount of >
>monthly income that a blind person can earn > >while still receiving SSDI
benefits. The > >earnings limit will gradually rise from its > >current
level of $1,500 per month to $2,850 per > >month in 2011. In 2012, the
earnings limit for > >blind people will be tied to that applicable to >
>senior citizens in the year they attain full retirement age.> >> >> >>
>John G. Paré Jr.> >Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives> >NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND> >1800 Johnson Street> >Baltimore, Maryland 21230>
>Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227> >Cell phone: (410) 913-3912> >Fax:
(410) 685-5653> >Email: jpare at nfb.org> >
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