1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent and strong supporter of the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act. This act is critical for individuals like my older brother, who has been disabled since birth and relies heavily on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to meet his most basic needs. Recently, he was disqualified from SSI due to receiving a modest tribal general welfare assistance payment of $2,000 annually, which pushed his monthly income to $1,046—just barely over the $943 limit. This disqualification triggered the loss of his state SSI of $179.77 and, more devastatingly, his Medicaid coverage. My brother, who has autism, ADHD, sleep apnea, refractory epilepsy, asthma, and chronic health issues, is now living on $921 a month from our deceased mother's Disabled Adult Child benefit and this small tribal payment. This is far below the poverty line, and without a full-time caregiver, he would be completely destitute. He is unable to work due to his intellectual disabilities and frequent seizures. Despite this, the current SSI asset limit of $2,000 forces him to live in a state of constant financial precariousness, where even small changes in income, like the $14 or $30 excess he was penalized for, can result in devastating consequences. He has been required to repay over $300 in overpayments, a sum that could have otherwise gone toward his daily needs. I find it outrageous and deeply unjust that individuals who are born with disabilities are being sentenced to a life of poverty simply because the SSI program has not been updated in over 30 years. The current asset and income limits are not only grossly outdated but also ablest in nature, preventing disabled individuals from building even the smallest financial safety net. The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act would be a lifeline for my brother and millions of others like him. By increasing the asset limit to $10,000, raising the SSI benefit to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, and excluding modest income sources like tribal benefits from disqualifying recipients, this act would offer much-needed relief. It is long past time to modernize this program and bring it in line with today's economic realities. I strongly urge you to support and advocate for the passage of this act. People with disabilities should not have to live in poverty or face constant financial insecurity simply because they were born disabled. Please help us ensure that SSI serves its intended purpose of supporting those who are unable to support themselves.