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

[David Evans]

Dear Angela,

This difference most likely comes from the fact that those who receive SSI, 
because of disability, have never worked and paid into the Social Security 
System.
If a person is collecting SSDI, it means that they have worked the required 
20 quarters and paid into the system through payroll taxes and earned the 
right to collect from it.
These people were usually not born with a disability or became disabled 
before they reached an age were they could work.  I agree that both 
enrollees seem to face the same chopping block if they work and there is a 
wide gulf to span between what we can earn and what we need to earn to make 
up for what we will lose. This is certainly a great first step and I hope 
that we can then make further gains for everyone.
David Evans, NFBF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angela Marciniak" <angela_marciniak at hotmail.com>
To: "Jobs for the Blind" <jobs at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 3:14 PM
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> > 
> _______________________________________________> Jobs mailing list> 
> Jobs at nfbnet.org> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/jobs
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