The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans, urges the House to pass the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R. 1175. This bill will help eliminate the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one phase out of benefits where every two dollars earned over the substantial gainful activity threshold will cause a one-dollar reduction in a beneficiary’s monthly payment. We are hoping with a strong surge in cosponsor support on this legislation, we can better position it to start the new year off strong!
How Members Can Help
The SSDI benefits program contains an earnings cliff that hinders blind individuals from achieving the American dream. This is, in effect, a penalty imposed on blind Americans when they work. Under current law, if a blind worker earns more than the substantial gainful activity threshold, even by just one dollar, they are not entitled to any benefits. This causes blind employees to sometimes choose to remain unemployed, refuse promotions, or limit the number of hours we work to prevent the loss of our benefits. The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R. 1175, will solve this problem by creating a gradual phaseout where employees would effectively give back one dollar of our benefits for every two dollars we earn over the substantial gainful activity threshold.
As of right now, we have 22 cosponsors in the House:
Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17] – SPONSOR
Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]
Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]
Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Sample Script
We are asking that you call or email your Representative and ask them to cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. When you call or email you might say:
“My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to support the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R. 1175. This bill will eliminate the SSDI earnings cliff and incentivize more blind Americans to work in higher-paying, more productive jobs. This will in turn result in those blind employees contributing more in federal income and FICA taxes. Please cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R. 1175.”
We suggest a subject like: “Help get more blind Americans back to work by cosponsoring H.R. 1175.”
To find the contact information for your specific representative’s office, please download the spreadsheet. They are organized alphabetically by state. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office in question.
If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your members of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at [email protected].
If you email, please copy Jesse Shirek at [email protected].
About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org.
Government Affairs Contact
Jesse Shirek
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2348
[email protected]