Thank you Newsday for publishing this op-ed article.

We hear from politicians of all stripes how much they love and support families. Let’s do a reality check and look at SSI. Current policy punishes people who want to work and, even worse, undermines marriage and families.

SSI Limits

To qualify for SSI a person must demonstrate they have a disability, and their income is below the SSI income levels, and they have less than the SSI asset levels.

The current asset limit to qualify for SSI is $2,000 per person, an absurdly low number set in 1989. Imagine if you had not received a raise since 1989!

Here’s where it becomes anti-marriage and anti-family. You would expect the SSI asset level for a married couple to be double that of a single person. You would be wrong; the SSI asset level for a married couple is $3,000. That’s right, the combined asset level goes down for a married couple. Congress found a way to make 2 + 2 = 3.

Why Do the SSI Asset Limits Matter

Why does this matter? Many people with a disability want to work. I know because at the business I lead, John’s Crazy Socks, more than half our colleagues have a differing ability. If they earn too much or save too much, they lose their benefits. Many would like to work more, but they cannot afford to lose their benefits.

It is terrible to have a policy that discourages people from working. It is bad public policy. We have a growing labor shortage and need every good worker we can find, yet here we have a government policy that discourages work.

Then there are couples who want to get married. That’s a good thing. Again, politicians from all parties support marriage. Yet SSI will punish that couple if they do get married. Unable to marry, that couple misses benefits and rights afforded to married couples. Does that seem right? Which elected officials say they are anti-marriage?

The current SSI policy is anti-marriage, anti-family and, dare I say, anti-love. We cannot let it stand.

There is a Solution in Sight

The bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408 / S. 2767) would raise SSI levels to a fair amount. Supporting this bill is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it is a basic human right.

This bill would:

•             Raise the SSI asset level to $10,000 per person. The first increase in 35 years.

•             Raise the SSI asset level for a married couple to $20,000 (that’s right, 1+1=2).

•             Tie future increases to the rate of inflation.

This bill would treat people with a disability fairly, some of our most vulnerable citizens. It would encourage work. Employers would like it because it would increase the labor pool.

It would encourage marriage. It would be pro-family. It makes too much sense not to support this change.

John and I will be going to Capitol Hill later this month along with the National Down Syndrome Society to meet with members of Congress on this issue. You can take action too. Contact your member of Congress, call your Senator, and ask him or her to support The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act.