The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides critical support for millions of people with disabilities to be able to afford necessities like food and rent. But it has many rules that make it hard for people to save money and get out of poverty. SSI has an asset limit that has not been updated since 1989. Assets include money in bank accounts, retirement accounts, and savings. Right now, people who get SSI can only have $2,000 in assets. Married couples can only have $3,000.
These asset limits mean that people cannot save money and force people with disabilities into poverty.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your U.S Senators to support people with disabilities and their families by cosponsoring the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S.4102) which would raise these asset limits.
To whom it may concern:
I am a member of The Arc and your constituent. Please support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S.4102).
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) currently provides critical supports to nearly 8 million adults and children with disabilities and older Americans. But outdated rules prevent people from saving money—forcing them to live in poverty. Right now, people who get SSI can only have $2,000 in assets. Married couples can only have $3,000. These limits have not been updated since 1989 and mean that people cannot save for the future and for emergencies.
The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would raise the amount of savings a person on SSI could keep for the first time in over thirty years. The bill raises SSI asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for married couples. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and be able to save for emergencies. Raising these asset limits would significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities who receive SSI.
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Sincerely,
[Your name here]
