1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor and support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, introduced as S.1234 in the Senate and H.R. 2540 in the House. This legislation would update outdated asset limits that trap disabled individuals and older adults in poverty. The Supplemental Security Income program currently restricts individuals to just $2,000 in assets and married couples to $3,000. These limits have not changed since 1989, despite decades of inflation. This means disabled constituents cannot save for emergencies, work even part-time, or afford basic necessities like rental deposits and first month's rent without losing their benefits. The consequences extend beyond financial hardship. Most disabled individuals qualify for Medicaid through SSI eligibility, so exceeding the $2,000 limit means losing access to vital healthcare. Medicaid is the only insurance in the United States that covers Home and Community-Based Services, which provide essential personal care supports that allow disabled people to live in their communities rather than institutions. Owning more than $2,000 can literally jeopardize survival and healthcare access. The current system also penalizes marriage. Disabled individuals who choose to marry face a combined asset limit of only $3,000, forcing many to choose between marriage and meeting their basic needs. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would raise asset limits to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples, then index these limits to inflation. This would allow disabled constituents to save for emergencies, work part-time to supplement their income, secure stable housing, and make personal choices like marriage without risking financial ruin. I ask that you co-sponsor this legislation and work to ensure its passage. Disabled and older adult constituents deserve the dignity of saving money and participating in the workforce without being penalized for their efforts.