In this testimony to the Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy of the
United States Senate Committee on Finance, Tzedek DC makes five central recommendations. Congress should:
Increase the statutory SSI monthly maximum benefit to 100 percent of federal poverty guidelines to help fill the gap that people with lower incomes experience in meeting their basic needs.
Reform asset limits to both:
Expand beyond $2,000 for individuals because $2,000 is too low a limit to allow claimants to save for an emergency or other critical necessities.
Exclude the assets of a spouse to expand the asset limit for married couples beyond $3,000, so that disabled people are not forced to decide whether to marry their partners or continue to receive needed benefits.
Amend substantial gainful activity, income, and other work incentive requirements, because government should encourage people to live their lives in ways that are meaningful to them without risk of losing their benefits, particularly if they are unsure of whether work will be something that can continue based on their disability.
Engage in oversight to ensure the Social Security Act’s purpose is not being frustrated by the Social Security Administration’s execution of its statutory mandate. The current rules lead to consistent issues with overpayments that disabled people cannot afford to repay and lead to particular problems for claimants who have a disability that impacts cognition.
Ensure the SSA’s budget provides the agency sufficient resources to carry out its important statutory mission.
Tzedek DC's full testimony is available here.