Celebrating Introduction of the SSI Restoration Act

 From Justice in Aging

"As part of the effort to improve the economic security of low-income older adults and people with disabilities, the House introduced the SSI Restoration Act in January. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides a modest benefit to extremely low-income people who are seniors, children with disabilities, or adults with disabilities that prevent them from working enough to meet their basic needs. However, many people cannot effectively access the program, or risk having their benefits terminated or reduced due to complicated and outdated rules. Current eligibility rules, for example, perpetuate poverty by preventing people from saving for emergencies: a single recipient risks loss of benefits when their resources are just $1 over the $2,000 asset limit. Introduction of the SSI Restoration Act is an advocacy win with the potential to improve the lives of over 2 million older adults. The bill puts forward proposals to support SSI recipients by increasing benefits to the Federal Poverty Level, allowing recipients to keep more in savings, and repealing penalties for receiving help with food or shelter from family or friends.

Read our Issue Brief, FAQ, and watch this video featuring Tracey Gronniger, Managing Director of Economic Security, discussing the importance of SSI."